Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation Quail Biologist - Texas

Description

The Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation is seeking a highly motivated candidate to serve as the program’s research biologist promoting, coordinating, and implementing northern bobwhite and scaled quail research and outreach efforts. RPQRF’s focuses are research and outreach of quails in the Rolling Plains of Texas and surrounding regions.

As such, the biologist will have responsibilities that include both research and outreach components. The biologist will be responsible for:

·       Facilitating logistics and field work activities for RPQRF research projects. The biologist will assist in conducting field surveys and field work, as needed. 

·       Curating and overseeing RPQRF long-term and project datasets.

·       Training interns and technicians at RPQRFs 4,720 acre research ranch in Roby, TX.

·       Assisting in coordination and hosting of field days and outreach events.

·       Representing RPQRF at state, national, and international conferences.

·       Conducting site visits and technical guidance (habitat planning) to stakeholders within the RPQRF working region, including providing reports where necessary.

·       Engaging in partnership networks and regional working groups to ensure RPQRF efforts are synergistic with otherwise independent conservation efforts in the region. 

·       The biologist will have the opportunity for publishing research. Publishing is not required for the position but encouraged as datasets are available.

In March 2007, the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation was granted its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit status as a charitable organization and the deed to our Research Ranch was transferred to the Foundation later that year. Operations began in early 2008, and from that time RPQRF has invested tens of thousands of hours, millions of dollars, and so much more into research, education, and outreach for wild quail both on and off the Research Ranch.

Our Research Ranch is 4700 acres of quail habitat representative of millions of acres in the Rolling Plains. It is the living laboratory in which we collect data, manage habitat, and monitor a multitude of ecological relationships. We collect data on bobwhite and scaled quail abundance, survival, reproduction, and movement; small mammal abundance; arthropod abundance; mesocarnivores; and many quail predators. Our ongoing habitat management activities include: planting of food plots, invasive species control, prescribed fire, brush sculpting, and soil disturbance.

Qualifications

·       A Master’s degree in wildlife management, range ecology, or a related field is required.

·       A minimum of two years of experience working with private landowners is preferred but not necessary.

·       The willingness to complete administrative paperwork to achieve conservation objectives.

·       Understanding and experience with management practices promoting habitat for northern bobwhite and scaled quail is preferred but not necessary.

·       Strong writing and analytical ability. Candidate should be proficient in basic statistical analyses and data curation/storage practices and programs (e.g., Program R, Microsoft Excel, Word, Access).

·       The ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

·       Ability to communicate amicably with private and public stakeholders.

·       Proficiency using ArcMap.

·       Creating hunting opportunity is a key goal of RPQRF. As such, the successful candidate should be supportive of the consumptive use of wildlife via both hunting and cultural management practices such as meso-mammal removal.

·       Applicant must have exemplary communication skills.

To apply send cover letter, resume, and references in a single pdf document to the email address below.

Contact Person

Becky Ruzicka

661-618-3956

becky.ruzicka@quailresearch.org

www.quailresearch.org