MT Coordinating Wildlife Biologist - Miles City
Coordinating Wildlife Biologist
Survey and Public Access Specialist
Location: BLM field office in Miles City, MT
Application Deadline: October 15, 2022
Anticipated Start Date: November 15, 2022
Overview: This position will work for a partnership that includes BLM-MT and Pheasants Forever. It will be located in the Miles City BLM field office and will be direct employees of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. This is a full-time position with funding secured for 2 years with the possibility of extending the term of the position pending additional funding being secured. This position will work to identify opportunities to improve access to and through private land into land locked BLM and other public land holdings and provide avian and ecological surveys on sage grouse and sagebrush for the partnership. In both roles the person in this position will work closely with BLM permittees and local landowners to complete survey work and increasing public access to private and public lands. This program will assist BLM biologists by providing quality survey reports and analysis if survey results, work to deliver BLM, and other programs that increase public access, write grants, and seek new partners and funding for conservation and/or access projects, and work with the partnership to promote wildlife conservation goals and objectives. All work will be consistent with and directed to achieve conservation goals of all cooperating partners involved with this position.
Duties:
- Works with BLM staff to conduct sage grouse lek and habitat surveys and provide professional survey reports and analysis of survey data for BLM use in management decisions.
- Working with all the partners, identify opportunities to increase access to private and public lands. This includes but is not limited to working with landowners to secure right-of way easements, public access agreements, access easements, and informing landowners about other programs designed to improve public access. Assist with the delivery and administration of the above mentions programs as appropriate, and work with counties, cities, and other local governmental entities to identify public access into public lands.
- Works with landowners, lessees, farmers, and ranchers to foster strong relationships, to conduct biological survey, discuss public access opportunities and challenges, and incorporate wildlife concerns into the planning and implementation of ranch operations.
- Works collaboratively with local BLM and other partners to provide wildlife expertise, survey expertise, and expertise on identifying potential access issues.
- Works with local BLM staff to identify project sites for possible agreements with private landowners to enhance public access into private and public lands.
- Provides staff support in developing required documentation for survey and project compliance (NEPA, ESA, EA, FWP Commission Documentation, etc).
- Conducts wildlife and wildlife habitat surveys.
- Uses technical equipment such as GIS, GPS, computers, etc.
- Presents information to partners, landowners, technical meetings, and public information opportunities.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Montana wildlife species and their habitats, specifically sage grouse and sagebrush habitats, strong plant identification skills, experience working with ranchers and farmers, experience delivering public access and/or wildlife conservation programs, project management skills, and the ability to effectively coordinate, cooperate, and communicate with private landowners and agencies as an advocate for conservation wildlife habitat and wildlife populations and the importance of public access. Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel and GIS (ARCGIS) is desirable.
Training and Experience Guideline:
Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife or range science or closely related field from an accredited college or university, and two years of professional experience in wildlife research or wildlife management. A graduate degree in a wildlife science or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Salary: Up to $42,500 + Benefits while employed.
Application Requirements: Please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” section of your application on our Recruitment website at: www.PheasantsForever.org/jobs
For more information, contact: Hunter VanDonsel, MT/WY State Coordinator, 406-461-3827 or hvandonsel@pheasantsforever.org
Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.