Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

POSITION SUMMARY

Title:               Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Supervisor:    Manager, Northern Great Plains Program

Location:       Buffalo, SD

Submission Deadline: April 21, 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).

The Coordinating Wildlife Biologist is a full-time 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 Coordinating Wildlife Biologist will work within the Northern Great Plains Joint Venture (ngpjv.org/about-us/where-we-work) region in northwest South Dakota; specifically, Buffalo.  Buffalo is in the four corners area of the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming.  With over a half dozen National Parks relatively nearby, (Black Hills, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, National grasslands, etc.) these expansive public lands provide and abundance of recreational outdoor activities.

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 three 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.
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
• Background screening required
• Authorized to work in the U.S. or Permanent Resident
• Ability to be a part of multiple teams and, 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) and through the work of others.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, prescribed fire, and grassland, wetland, and early succession habitat management.
  • Applied prescribed fire experience is encouraged
• Ability to convey the use of various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
  • Practical experience with agricultural systems, farming and ranching.
• Ability to work independently
  • Excellent verbal and written communications; as well as strong networking communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Proficiency with ArcPro or USDA Conservation Desktop.
• 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.

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.
• Forestry 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 apply online at Bamboo HR, include your cover letter, resume and 3 references.

If you experience any technical difficulties, please email your cover letter and resume as ONE document to HR@abcbirds.org.

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.