Location: Lewisburg, West Virginia
Start date: June, 2024
Scope of work:
Under general supervision of NRCS District Conservationist and WVDNR State Ornithologist, conduct professional-level work related to Farm Bill implementation and outreach, management, research, and conservation of golden-winged warbler, cerulean warbler, and other nongame and game birds on private and public lands in West Virginia, and additional duties as assigned
Primary duties include:
Assisting in private landowner outreach, education, and service pertaining to golden-winged warbler and other species
Development of habitat management plans on private lands based on established best management practices
Administration of NRCS contracts
Pursuing Golden-winged Warbler management opportunities on public and private lands - e.g., wildlife management areas, state forests, national forests as well as private lands within species focal areas. Assist staff on a case-by-case basis with similar efforts for Cerulean Warbler
Pre- and post-treatment species survey and monitoring
Professional development and education (e.g., participating in forest stewardship training workshops) related to golden-winged warbler management, cerulean warbler management, and farm bill opportunities
Participate in the WV Private Lands Working Group and Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Technical Committee
Up to 2-3 weeks/year, assist WVDNR with (1) annual surveys and monitoring of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), (2) conducting Breeding Bird Surveys, (3) assist in providing technical assistance to private landowners related to SGCN habitat enhancement, (4) preparing annual WVDNR project and progress reports and statistics, and (5) assist WVDNR staff with reporting
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s or graduate degree (preferred) in wildlife biology or related field, or commensurate work experience, with a focus on birds.
Excellent networking and communication skills in a broad range of contexts
Experience with project management and coordination
Understanding of silvicultural practices, habitat management and conservation implementation
Experience with diverse field survey/monitoring methods and equipment, including GPS
Ability to identify by sight and sound all bird species native to West Virginia
Ability to identify Appalachian plants and forest communities
Demonstrated experience and skill with MS Office, ArcGIS, and other software tools
Term and Compensation:
Compensation is $15/hour with guaranteed annual raise for up to 5 years
Position is year-round, 40 hours/week
Ad hoc telework is permitted with approval
Health insurance is available
Applications must be received by 4/12/24. To Apply, please send cover letter and resume to:
Richard Bailey, WVDNR State Ornithologist - Richard.S.Bailey@wv.gov