WLFW Pollinator Coordinator

Location: Negotiable; within PF & QF’s South Region

Part-Time: 20-25 hours per week 

 

Application Deadline: October 31, 2022

Anticipated Start Date: November 2022

Overview: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF & QF) seeks an experienced biologist with excellent communication skills to serve as a part-time Coordinating Pollinator Biologist for PF & QF’s Southern Region. This position will be an employee of and supervised by the Quail Forever Grasslands and Savannas Framework Coordinator, with daily instruction, quality assurance, training, and workload prioritization provided by our partners at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Working Lands for Wildlife National Team. This position will provide outreach, training and technical assistance to USDA-NRCS, Quail Forever and partner organization staff to accelerate adoption of pollinator conservation practices in the Southern Region. This individual will work in joint capacity with partner agencies and PF & QF Biologist staff to promote, coordinate, and implement conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill as it relates to pollinator habitat on private lands, with primary focus on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) Working Lands for Wildlife initiative and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The biologist will plan and implement collaborative outreach and education efforts with partner agencies and agricultural groups (specifically the Xerces Society and Monarch Joint Venture, among others) along with more technical duties including pollinator habitat planning support, developing and assessing NRCS practice standards and protocols as they relate to pollinator habitat, and providing oversight on threatened & endangered species reviews for USDA-NRCS projects. Primary species focus for this position will be the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) and other at-risk pollinator species.  The primary objective of the position is to enhance USDA-NRCS and PF/QF staff knowledge and expertise regarding pollinator conservation and increase pollinator habitat conservation delivery in the Southern Region. 

 

Job Duties: 

  • Accelerate conservation program enrollment by training USDA-NRCS and PF & QF staff to conduct pollinator-specific outreach such as workshops, field days, demonstration events, and habitat tours.
  • Support and train staff to deliver PF & QF’s habitat education programs in the Southern Region such as the Pollinator Habitat Outreach Program and Milkweed in the Classroom.
  • Work with local PF & QF chapters and other partners as needed to assist with pollinator habitat program education and outreach, provide technical assistance for pollinator habitat projects, establish demonstrations sites, and participate in local and statewide habitat meetings and trainings as needed.
  • Coordinate technical assistance for conservation practice implementation (pollinator habitat focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and other groups primarily through federal Farm Bill programs. 
  • Work collaboratively with USDA-NRCS and PF & QF’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Bobwhite Coordinator to promote the initiative and integrate pollinator conservation goals into WLFW efforts.
  • Create and deliver PF & QF staff training materials and programs, as well as pollinator habitat guides and materials for the Southern Region.
  • Develop and provide oversight on job sheets/implementation requirements, wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG) and other required documentation for the conservation programs requiring pollinator biology expertise in cooperation with partner agencies.
  • Review plans and specifications for feasibility for implementation under Farm Bill program contract rules, etc.
  • Facilitate development of technical and program guidance and training materials to aid partner agency staff and farmers in pollinator habitat establishment and management.
  • Coordinate all above activities and efforts with the Working Lands for Wildlife Coordinator and applicable partners.
  • Expected travel within PF & QF’s Southern Region of 10 nights/year.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to build relationships and communicate clearly and effectively with farmers, landowners, and partner agency staff. 
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.  Must be a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills.  
  • Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland, wetland, and early succession habitat establishment and management, including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans. 
  • Specific knowledge of grassland/farmland associated pollinator and wildlife species’ habitat requirements is important as well as plant identification of native, non-native, and invasive grasses, forbs, trees, and shrubs.
  • Knowledge of conservation and wildlife habitat programs provided by federal, state, & local entities.  In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.   
  • Knowledge of agricultural landscapes, common farming and land use practices, and basic agricultural economics is desirable.
  • Ability to design, write, and implement conservation plans per NRCS guidelines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to manage demanding workloads.  
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and ArcGIS.
  • Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required with a mileage reimbursement provided.
  • Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Education and Experience Preferred:  Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field with a minimum of 2 years related experience is required. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs is preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. Practical and/or professional experience in farming and agricultural disciplines is highly beneficial. The successful applicant must enjoy working with private landowners and producers to achieve their conservation objectives. 

 

Salary:  Part- time competitive 

 

To Apply:  Please combine your cover letter, resume and three references into a single Word document or PDF file before clicking on the blue APPLY icon at the bottom or upper right corner and uploading to the “Resume” area of your application. For a complete list of current job openings, visit our Recruitment website at www.quailforever.org/jobs . 

 

If you have questions about this position, contact:  Dr. Jess McGuire, Working Lands for Wildlife Bobwhite Coordinator at 617-686-3012.

 

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.

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