Wildlife Habitat Biologist

Position Class:          Wildlife Habitat Biologist II, or Senior (based on qualifications)

FLSA Status:             Full Time / Exempt / Salary

Reports to:                Stewardship Program Manager, Southern Plains

Direct Reports:         None

Location:                   Remote based in: Clovis, Portales, Clayton, or Tucumcari, New Mexico

Salary:                        $57,000-$72,000 (based on experience) with promotion potential

Benefits:                    This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package (paid time off, 403b retirement plan, health, dental, and vision insurance)

Start Date: September/October 2024

About the Organization:  Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (Bird Conservancy) is a 501-c (3) non-profit headquartered at the Environmental Learning Center at Barr Lake State Park with a satellite office in Fort Collins and fieldwork outposts in the Great Plains Region and Intermountain West. We conserve birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of Science, Education, and Stewardship. Our work radiates from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico, and beyond.

Position Overview: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring a partner Wildlife Habitat Biologist (biologist) to meet the objectives of promoting wildlife and grassland habitat conservation in Eastern New Mexico. This position is a partnership between New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. With an emphasis on nongame bird conservation, the biologist will help agricultural producers improve wildlife habitat and achieve their management objectives through direct technical assistance; developing research, monitoring, and management actions to fill knowledge gaps to improve status of grasslands and wildlife species (prioritizing Species of Greatest Conservation Need); developing and sustaining cooperative partnerships; providing information and outreach to key stakeholders; engaging in collaboration with conservation agencies and organizations to identify funding for project support. The biologist will work with state, federal, and local natural resource professionals, and community members. The biologist will travel throughout the region using a provided vehicle.

About Eastern New Mexico:

The eastern plains of New Mexico is a dynamic short grass prairie ecosystem home to large ungulates such as pronghorn and rare grassland song birds including the Chestnut-collard Longspur and Sprague’s Pipet. This rural landscape is filled with wide-open space, and dotted with small communities with a dispersed population. Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, at the northern boundary of the plains is a hot spot for recreators looking to horseback ride, explore scenic vistas, and observe wildlife. These grasslands together total over 100,000 acres and stretch to the town of Clayton, a small rural community supported by cattle ranching and dry land farming. This town boasts trout, walleye and bullhead fishing in Clayton Latke State Park and is next to the Capulin Volcano National Monument. Two hours south is the small town of Tucumcari located on the historic Route 66 and home to dinosaur museums and Conchas Lake State Park. Further south is the medium-sized town of Clovis with neighboring Cannon Air Force Base, and featuring yearly music festivals, and champion rodeo events. Eastern New Mexico University is twenty minutes away in Portales which is also home to Oasis State Park.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities for Wildlife Habitat Biologist II and Senior Wildlife Habitat Biologist

• Independently lead efforts to provide technical and programmatic support to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) related to Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) threats and habitat needs
• Expand cooperative partnerships at local and regional scales with landowners, NMDGF biologists, state and federal biologists, communities, conservation groups, Indigenous Nations, and NGOs
• In cooperation with NMDGF Biologists implement research, monitoring, and management actions to fill knowledge gaps/ improve SGCN species status
• Identify, develop, and lead workshops and outreach to key stakeholders for the purposes of enhancing, restoring, or improving management of wildlife habitat
• Provide advanced technical proficiency in the principles and practice of wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration, and improved management for SGCN species

Additional Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities for Senior Wildlife Habitat Biologist

• Independently identify opportunities to expand conservation work, develop, and implement innovative high-level initiatives including strategic collaborative regional conservation projects and technical support to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) related to Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) threats and habitat needs
• Take a lead role in strengthening communication within the Eastern New Mexico conservation community, and maximizing the collective ability to implement conservation programs on the landscape
• Translate science and implement adaptive management to monitor effectiveness and iteratively improve the efficacy of management practices

Other Duties:

Wildlife Habitat Biologist I, II & Senior Biologist:

• Collaborate across Bird Conservancy programmatic teams
• Collaborate with cooperating agencies to identify conservation projects and pursue funding opportunities to further conservation goals
• Assist partner agency and other collaborators in conducting biological assessments
• Other duties as assigned

Senior Wildlife Habitat Biologist:

• Assist with grant writing and reporting deliverables in collaboration with Program Managers at Bird Conservancy

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required (unless otherwise noted):

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 1-2 years of experience, (may substitute a Master’s degree for experience) in a conservation related field (e.g. wildlife biology, ecology, human dimensions of natural resources, rangeland ecology, etc.) or four years of equivalent professional experience
• Ability and desire to work with a diversity of people including state, federal, and non-governmental resource professionals, agricultural producers, industry professionals and other community representatives
• Motivated self-starter who is comfortable working independently under remote supervision and highly organized with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Practical understanding of grassland ecology, rangeland management, and grazing management
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (use active listening to build trust and establish rapport) with a variety of landowners and partners
• Knowledge of eastern New Mexico flora and fauna
• Knowledge of common agricultural practices
• Experience with grassland plant ID and with conducting range or grassland inventories for the purposes of creating a grazing plan
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with GIS software is desirable

In addition to the above qualifications, a Senior Biologist will have:

• An MS in a related field or 5-7 years of experience with wildlife habitat planning
• A strong background in collaborative conservation management
• Proficient knowledge of NM Wildlife and habitat requirements
• Have technical proficiency in the principles and practice of wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration, or improved management for SGCN species
• A track record of working independently, developing and implementing new projects, and demonstrating leadership skills

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must be able to

• Work from home/remote, with considerable sitting, standing, and computer work
• Manage a large workload
• Reaching continually throughout the workday (mouse, keyboard, telephone).
• Lifting up to thirty (30) pounds of project gear on a frequent basis. Proper lifting techniques required
• Stand, walk, drive, and hike for extended periods of time outside in all weather and diverse (and often strenuous) terrain or conditions
• Work independently in remote locations where hazardous conditions may occur
• Troubleshoot when working alone (problem-solving for flat tires, cattle gates, etc.)
• Obtain a valid state driver’s license

Material and Equipment Directly Used:

• Various habitat restoration and enhancement equipment and materials (e.g. stock tank ladders, fence markers)
• Standard office equipment (e.g. laptop, printers); PC with MS Office software applications
• GPS, smartphones and aps, tablets, and other technology to navigate field sites and record data
• Vehicles, including cars, 4-wheel drive trucks, All Terrain Vehicles or Utility Task Vehicles

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.  The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by their supervisor.  Nothing in this job description shall create or is intended to create, or shall be construed to constitute a contract of employment, express or implied. Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job.