Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Title:                  Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Supervisor:      Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture Coordinator

Location:             Van Zandt County, Canton, Texas

Starting Salary:  Commensurate with Experience + Health Benefits and Retirement Package

Anticipated Start Date: March 18, 2024

Position Summary:

This position will be a full-time employee of, and supervised by American Bird Conservancy with daily instruction and leadership provided by ABC, NRCS and Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture (OPJV).  This position is funded through September 2027, with continuation based upon available funding and project performance.

The Coordinating Wildlife Biologist will work in a joint capacity with Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture partners, including American Bird Conservancy, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Quail Forever, The Nature Conservancy, and other State, Federal, and NGO partners to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate and implement conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill. Primary duties will revolve around delivery of the Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (GRIP). Activities will include program promotion (workshops and one-on-one meetings), contract coordination, conservation plan development and modification, site assessments, and reporting. In addition, this position will provide conservation technical guidance, including wildlife habitat enhancement techniques, and conservation program delivery, to private landowners and public organizations within partner identified priority areas, as appropriate and will collaborate with partner project managers to increase involvement in GRIP. 

The Coordinating Wildlife Biologist will work within the OPJV region of Northeast Texas, primarily in GRIP focal counties to achieve the objectives of the partnership. This position will be located within in Van Zandt county and receive logistical support from the USDA-NRCS Service Center in Canton, Texas. This position will include frequent visits to USDA Service Centers throughout the coverage area to write contracts and conservation plans (Delta, Ellis, Hunt, Fannin, Lamar, Navarro, and Red River counties).

For more information about the work of the OPJV, visit www.opjv.org.

Primary 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 other NRCS, TPWD or OPJV staff.
• 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. 

Qualifications:

• Ability to be 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.
• The position requires excellent networking and communication skills (presentation, inter-personal, reading, and writing).
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, prescribed fire, and grassland, wetland, and early succession habitat management.
• Ability to convey the use of various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife habitat programs provided by federal (i.e. Farm Bill, US Fish and Wildlife Service), state, & local entities. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
• Practical experience with agricultural systems, farming and ranching.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, partner agencies and colleagues.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with a high degree of self-motivation.
• Proficiency with ArcPro or USDA Conservation Desktop.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursement provided)
• Travel throughout Northeast Texas, occasionally other portions of Texas and Oklahoma.
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

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.
• Applied prescribed fire experience is encouraged.
• Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs (i.e. RCPP, EQIP, CSP, ACEP, CRP and CREP) is preferred.
• Background screening required.

Benefits:

• Benefits include medical, dental, and 403(b) plan.
• Paid vacation days, holidays, and sick leave.
• Approved equipment/office expenses covered.
• Pre-approved professional training and workshop expenses covered.
• Lodging and meals covered for travel away from home.
• Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement, if partner vehicles are unavailable.

To Apply:

Please apply online at Paylocity. Please include your cover letter, resume and 3 references as a single Microsoft Word document or PDF. ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

If you have any difficulties uploading your resume, cover letter, and 3 references, then please send them 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.