Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $35,568 + Benefits
Deadline: Aug 31, 2021

See full job details at https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-coordinating-wildlife-biologist—survey–public-access—montana-miles-city-montana/40367098

Overview: This position will work for a partnership that includes Miles City Field Office (MCFO) – BLM, Region 7 Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), and Pheasants Forever. This position will be located in the BLM Miles City Field Office and will be direct employees of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. This position is a full-time position with funding secured for 3 years.  This position will provide avian and ecological surveys on migratory birds and upland game birds including sage- grouse and sagebrush habitats and some data assimilation, data quality reviews, and potentially some GIS analysis for the partnership. The position will identify opportunities to improve access to and through private land into land locked BLM and other public land holdings.  In both roles the person in this position will work closely with BLM staff, FWP, MCFO and local landowners to complete wildlife survey work such as lek surveys, vegetation surveys, AIM surveys, and other wildlife related inventory needs for BLM and work with BLM staff and other partners to increase public access to private and public lands. This position will assist BLM biologists by providing quality survey reports and analysis if survey results, work to deliver BLM, and other programs that increase public access, write grants, and seek new partners and funding for conservation and/or access projects, and work with the partnership to promote wildlife conservation goals and objectives. All work will be consistent with and directed to achieve conservation goals of all cooperating partners involved with this position.

Duties:

  • Works with BLM staff to conduct sharp-tailed and sage- grouse lek, raptor surveys, migratory bird surveys and habitat surveys and provide professional survey reports and analysis of survey data for BLM use in management decisions.
  • Works with the BLM Fisheries Biologist in fish/aquatic data collection and data entry along with understanding riparian and wetland vegetation species identification.
  • Working with PF, FWP and MCFO-BLM along with other partners, to identify opportunities to increase access to private and public lands. This includes but is not limited to working with landowners to secure Public Access Land Agreements (PALA), FWP Block Management (BMA) programs, along with informing landowners about other programs designed to improve public access.  Assist with the delivery and administration of the above mentions programs as appropriate, and work with counties, cities, and other local governmental entities to identify public access into public lands. 
  • Works with landowners, lessees, farmers, and ranchers to foster strong relationships, to conduct biological survey, discuss public access opportunities and challenges, and incorporate wildlife concerns into the planning and implementation of ranch operations.
  • Works collaboratively with local BLM and other partners to provide wildlife expertise, survey expertise, and expertise on identifying potential access issues.
  • Works with local BLM and FWP staff to identify project sites for possible agreements with private landowners to enhance public access into private and public lands.
  • Provides staff support in developing required documentation for survey and project compliance (PALA, BMA etc).
  • Conducts wildlife and wildlife habitat surveys.
  • Uses technical equipment such as GIS, GPS, computers, etc.
  • Presents information to partners, landowners, technical meetings, and public information opportunities.
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Montana wildlife and fish/aquatic species and their habitats, including BLM Sensitive Species, specifically sage- grouse and sagebrush habitats and strong plant identification skill.  Experience working with ranchers and farmers, experience with securing public access and/or wildlife conservation programs, project management skills, and the ability to effectively coordinate, cooperate, and communicate with private landowners and agencies as an advocate for conservation wildlife habitat and wildlife populations and the importance of public access. Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel and GIS (ARCGIS) is desirable. The candidate must have the ability to drive in rugged terrain for long periods of time at time by yourself.

Training and Experience Guideline:

Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife, fisheries or range science or closely related field from an accredited college or university, and two years of professional experience in wildlife research or wildlife management. A graduate degree in a wildlife science or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Requirements:

Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into a SINGLE Word document or PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” section of your application on the Recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs

*Application deadline is 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Pheasants Forever Inc. and Quail Forever is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled.