POSITION SUMMARY
Title: Conservation Specialist I/II/Coordinating Wildlife Biologist
Supervisor: Manager, Northern Great Plains Program
Location: Buffalo, SD
Salary: Estimated; $50,000 based on experience
Submission Deadline: Open until filled, submission evaluation will begin July 1, 2023
INTRODUCTION:
The mission of American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is to conserve birds and their habitats – the places birds need to thrive – across the Americas. We are a growing group of 125+ dedicated staff, located across the United States and with a network of partners from Canada to Chile. Each year, we grow in budget and staff, and we deliver more results aimed at preventing bird species extinctions and reversing declines that are reducing populations of nearly all bird groups. Our work is guided by our principles, which include a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).
Do you want to make a difference for birds, farmers, and ranchers living in the heart of the Northern Great Plains? Do you like living in a rural community and helping your neighbors use available habitat management program to meet their objectives while meeting the needs of declining bird populations? Do you thrive as a self-starter in a work environment where the job is different every day? Then this job is for you.
This is a full-time partner position working in a joint capacity with American Bird Conservancy and partners, including US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), South Dakota Game Fish & Parks (SDGFP), and other State, Federal, and NGO partners to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other wildlife related conservation programs such as the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture’s Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (GRIP). The position requires a lot of relationship building with partners and local leaders, like the county conservation district, allows for enrichment and creativity helping to develop local conservation programs with a focus on the conservation of birds and others key species of grassland plants and wildlife.
The position will work within the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture (ngpjv.org/about-us/where-we-work) region in northwest South Dakota; specifically, Buffalo, South Dakota. Buffalo is in the four corners area of the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming. With over a half dozen National Parks relatively nearby, (Black Hills, Badlands and Teddy Roosevelt National Park, National grasslands, etc.) these expansive public lands provide an abundance of outdoor recreational activities.
The mission of American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is to conserve birds and their habitats – the places birds need to thrive – across the Americas. We are a growing group of 125+ dedicated staff, located across the United States and with a network of partners from Canada to Chile. Each year, we have grown delivered more results for preventing bird species extinctions and reversing declines that are reducing populations of nearly all bird groups. Our work is guided by our principles, which include a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).
MAJOR DUTIES:
- Work with local partners to increase habitat management efforts and participate in regional and statewide habitat meetings.
- Assist or coordinate activities and projects with NRCS, SDGFP, or other agency or non-profit partners.
- Provide leadership and support for outreach activities including direct collaboration with project managers, and through landowner field events, inter-agency partnership training meetings, and other communication efforts
- Program promotion, including workshops and one-on-one meetings.
- Contract coordination
- Conservation plan development and modification
- Site assessment and reporting
- Provide conservation technical guidance, including wildlife habitat enhancement techniques, and conservation program delivery, to private landowners and public organizations within partner identified priority areas.
- Collaborate with partner project managers to increase involvement in programs
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or, closely related natural resources field and, ideally, two years of relevant experience; (Wildlife Society Certification and graduate work will also be considered).
- Knowledge of conservation and wildlife habitat programs provided by federal (i.e. US Fish and Wildlife Service), state, & local entities.
- Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs (i.e. RCPP, EQIP, CSP, ACEP, CRP and CREP) is preferred.
- In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
- Knowledge of wildlife ecology, prescribed fire, and grassland, wetland, and early succession habitat management.
- Applied prescribed fire experience is encouraged
- Practical experience with ag systems, farming and/or ranching is a plus.
- Experience with ArcPro or USDA Conservation Desktop and willingness to learn more.
- Excellent verbal and written communications; as well as strong networking, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to use of various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of multiple teams to, where appropriate, provide coordination and leadership working with a diverse set of partner organizations and individual landowners to achieve conservation objectives at multiple scales (individual land parcel to state level).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle may be required
- Ability to travel throughout western South Dakota and sometimes in southwest North Dakota, southeast Montana, and northeast Wyoming.
- Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance,
- Background screening is required.
- Authorized to work in the U.S. or Permanent Resident
BENEFITS:
- Benefits include medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental health insurance policies; including vision.
- Paid vacation days, holidays (10+), sick leave, retirement savings with employer match, life insurance, parental leave, and Verizon cell service discount.
- Field equipment/office expenses covered.
- Pre-approved professional training and workshop expenses covered.
- Lodging and meals covered for work related travel.
- Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement, if partner vehicles are unavailable
TO APPLY:
Please submit your cover letter, resume and 3 references on Paylocity: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/1764756/America...
If you experience any technical difficulties, please email your cover letter and resume as ONE document to [email protected].
At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all of our employees.
As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.