NWTF District Biologist (New England States)

Job Description:

Title:  District Biologist I or II (Depending on Qualifications)        Date: October 21, 2024

Full-Time or Part-time: Full-time                                                         Department: Conservation

Reports To: Director of Conservation Operations                           Employment Category: Salaried/Exempt

Job Summary:

Duty station within the New England region is negotiable. The primary objective for a District Biologist (I or II) is to help deliver the NWTF’s conservation mission, and goals and objectives at the landscape scale in a respective district of states.  This should be accomplished through strategic alignment of State and district activities in partnership with other NWTF field staff, NWTF volunteers, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), major donors and corporate partners. The work of the District Biologist II is considered the journeyman level and is conducted with a greater level of independence than a District Biologist I and includes all the duties and responsibilities of the District Biologist I. Functioning at the journeyman level should result in both maintenance and expansion of conservation delivery via sound stewardship and investment of NWTF resources through quality project selection, identification of matching funds, partnership building, and overall alignment with resource concerns specific to the district of responsibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends NWTF state and district meetings, and leadership workshops, as needed to assist NWTF State Chapters with Super Fund allocations, as well as educate and equip volunteer leadership in conservation delivery and state-led policy
• Assists with coordination of the Hunting Heritage Super Fund and serves on the Super Fund Committee for their respective state(s)
• Assists Directors of Development in prioritization of conservation issues and funding needs, including NWTF initiatives, matching funds for grants/agreements, and research needs,
• Works closely with state and federal wildlife agencies: may include serving on state wild turkey committees (if applicable), attending agency and Commission meetings (agenda dependent), and collaborating on large scale habitat conservation projects on public and private lands
• Serves as state policy leads for all states within their district which includes, tracking important hunting and conservation related regulations and legislation, land use planning and policy within the district. Includes issues such as agency hunting regulations, Farm Bill issues and state and federal land management planning. Coordinates NWTF review of, and engagement in important policy issues, including assessing the position of the NWTF State Chapter, state agency, and other partners and recommending NWTF action through the approved process for state policy issues.
• Identifies funding sources such as grants, U.S. Forest Service stewardship contracts, major donations, sponsorships, and implements projects using awarded funds. Includes state and federal grants/agreements, and other matching funds for NWTF Super Funds
• Assists with development and achievement of NWTF state and district strategic goals and objectives when applicable
• Provides news and information to NWTF’s Communications Department, Directors of Development, and Regional Directors regarding conservation projects within respective state(s) and district Provides technical information about wild turkey biology and management to agencies and members (i.e., information requests).  Contributes to Turkey Call magazine / Turkey Call television, NWTF state newsletters, websites, podcasts etc. as requested 
• Provides relevant information to Field Operations, Development, state volunteers and NWTF Communications Department for promotion, marketing and awareness of district conservation priorities and delivery efforts
• Assist in the development and the review of research project proposals for state and NWTF national research RFP processes.
• Administer projects and serves as project manager, inclusive of landscape level agreements, inclusive of overseeing project status and completion aspects in the field
• Assist state agency with wild turkey trap and transfer activities as needed and requested
• Attend the annual NWTF Convention and Conservation Conference, regional meetings and training opportunities, as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. The District Biologist II is also more engaged in the NWTF or with our partners, due in part to their being seen as knowledgeable and a leader in the field. This is demonstrated by meaningful involvement in two or more of the following:
  • Serve as the NWTF representative on partnership boards and committees (Joint Ventures, State and Local Forest Advisory Councils, partner initiatives, etc.)
  • Serving on internal NWTF work groups and committees beyond Conservation Programs trams such as initiative development/oversight teams, etc.
  • Serving in leadership roles internally and externally for the NWTF, including for NWTF National Convention teams, national leadership meetings, etc.
  • Elevate NWTF messaging through various internal and external media channels, representing NWTF on internal or external podcasts, filming opportunities, etc.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Sound, working knowledge of game and non-game species management and habitat management in the ecosystems where they will be working, including wildlife habitat management, population dynamics and management, harvest management, research techniques
• Knowledge of accepted forestry and grassland management practices, including the ability to identify tree and grass species, wildlife species, and shrubs and invasive species
• Ability to work independently without close supervision and ability to determine work priorities daily, weekly and monthly to maximize time and resources
• Must have good public speaking and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Basic computer skills such as e-mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of wildlife research, including wildlife capture, monitoring and handling techniques, basic statistical analysis for wildlife research, and the ability to read, understand and keep abreast of wildlife research and management via peer reviewed journals
• Ability to navigate in remote and rural areas, communicate with land managers and provide advice to agency workers in the field.
• Must be willing to incur moderate travel within and outside of the district including overnight stays of three to five nights or more
• Experience managing large projects with multiple objectives, working with major donors, dealing with policy and state and Federal, corporate and industry partners is preferred.

Education and Experience:

• District Biologist I - Position requires a Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology/management, forestry or a related natural resources-related field and a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience -OR- A Master’s degree in wildlife biology/management, forestry or a related natural resources field.
• District Biologist II - Position requires a bachelor's degree in a wildlife biology/management, forestry, or related natural resources field and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience or equivalent, or a master’s degree with two (2) years of professional experience equivalent to operating at an NWTF District Biologist I level.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able and willing to work, often alone, in a diverse range of climatic and topographic conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, ice, biting insects, snakes, mountainous terrain, swamps, very remote areas with limited access and amenities and other extreme conditions as warranted.
• Must be able to walk several miles per day in the conditions described above.
• Must be able to drive and/or ride long distances frequently.
• May be required to ride in fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft or watercraft.

Remote or Telecomm Status:

• Position can work remotely.
• Duty station within the region is negotiable.

Salary Description:

• $64,439 - $77,326 Minimum Annual Salary Range (Dependent on Qualifications)

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.