Overview
MN Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I or II Jobs in Austin, Minnesota, USA at Pheasants Forever
Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I or II
Locations:Austin, Minnesota
Final date to receive applications:February 28, 2025
Anticipated Start Date:March or April 2025
Job Overview:Pheasants Forever is hiring a Farm Bill Biologist based in Austin, Minnesota. This individual will work out of the Albert Lea office on a regular basis using a work vehicle. An individual in this position will work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate, and implement the voluntary conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related state, local and other voluntary conservation programs.
Activities will include:
Voluntary conservation programpromotion
Contract coordination
Conservation planning
Conservation plan modification
Site assessments
Reporting
Attend Farm Bill Biologist training and assist in coordinating technical assistance efforts
Provide technical assistance to farmers/landowners on conservation planning, habitat planning and other wildlife related practices.
Meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and other local partners to influence habitat management efforts and participate in statewide meetings
The individual is an employee of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and will receive supervision from Pheasants Forever with daily instruction by the local USDA-NRCS and SWCD staff. The individual will serve in providing technical assistance of biological/wildlife aspects of all USDA NRCS Conservation Programs, BWSR, SWCD and PF voluntary programs to private landowners and participants.
Duties:
Help landowners identify plants and habitat on their property and guide them in improving those habitats for wildlife utilizing voluntary conservation programs from USDA NRCS, PF, BWSR and other local and state programs.
Use science-based knowledge to improve habitat within the agricultural regions of the work area. This includescollaborationamongst staff, and being the in-house technical wildlife expert, and the go-to person for landowners within the work area who have wildlife and habitat related questions.
Write contracts and other documents to help guide landowners in implementing voluntary conservation programs.
Collaborate between partnering agencies to achieve habitat restoration and management goals for landowners and programs.
Collaborate with local USDA office to promote and implement the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Assist partners with outreach, contract development, and implementation of the Environmental QualityIncentive Program(EQIP).
Assist partners with all phases of the Reinvest in MN (RIM) conservation easement program, including outreach, title work, construction, and reimbursement.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with farmers, landowners, and partner agencies.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and withdiverseclientele.
Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wetland and forest management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans (e.g. mowing, prescribed burning, herbicide spraying, grazing, forestry mowing, etc.). Knowledge of agriculture is a plus.
Knowledg…
Title: MN Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I or II
Company: Pheasants Forever
Location: Austin, Minnesota, USA
Category: Science, Outdoor/Nature/Animal Care
