10 positions:

Northwest IA location options: 1) Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, & O’Brien counties, 2) Emmet, Palo Alto, Kossuth, & Humboldt counties, and 3) Calhoun, Webster, Greene, & Boone counties

Southwest IA location options: 1) Harrison, Shelby, & Pottawattamie counties, 2) Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, & Page counties, and 3) Clarke, Lucas, Decatur, & Wayne counties

Southeast IA location options: 1) Poweshiek, Iowa, Mahaska, & Keokuk counties, 2) Jefferson, Henry, Van Buren, & Lee counties, and 3) Monroe, Wapello, Appanoose, & Davis counties

Northeast IA location option: 1) Delaware, Dubuque, Jones, & Jackson counties

*Number of positions and locations are subject to change

Application Deadline: December 27, 2024

Anticipated Start Date: January 21, 2025

Overview:

Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists will provide conservation technical assistance to farmers and landowners with an emphasis on increasing the quantity and quality of wildlife habitat on private lands.  These positions are possible through a partnership with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local Pheasants Forever chapters, and other partners.

These positions will be employees of and supervised by Pheasants Forever and will work in joint capacity with partner agencies to promote, accelerate enrollment, plan, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related state, local and non-profit wildlife conservation programs.  Staff will work from the USDA Service Center(s) in one of the four-county NRCS Resource Team locations listed above.

General duties will include all aspects of wildlife habitat planning, contract coordination, conservation plan writing, site assessment/eligibility determination, program promotion/outreach, landowner technical assistance, and project reporting.  Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists will also meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to help coordinate habitat creation and management efforts, participate in statewide habitat meetings, and assist or coordinate other activities and projects as assigned.

Duties:

• Provide technical assistance (with a wildlife habitat focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and other groups for federal, state, and local conservation programs.
• Make contacts and build working relationships with private landowners through personal contacts, referrals, and informational meetings.
• Receive, maintain, and stay current with USDA technical assistance and programmatic training.

• Develop conservation plans to accomplish landowner’s/farmer’s goals with an emphasis on the natural resources of Iowa, including wildlife habitat and wildlife populations.
• Interpret soil survey maps, explain proper land use and recommend appropriate conservation measures to landowners in preparing plans.
• Help clients apply for financial assistance programs and provide service to existing contracts.
• Assist with status reviews, prescribed fire plans, required management plans, and provide site & situation specific technical assistance.
• Track work tasks and provide quarterly written reports on activities and accomplishments.
• Assist with public information activities as appropriate, including news article writing, workshops, field days and other activities.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wetland and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
• Desire to provide high level of customer service to landowners and producers.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• A desire to learn and gain a thorough understanding of all relevant soil and water conservation programs; agronomic, engineering, hydrologic, biology, and forestry concepts, principles and practices, and/or program requirements and procedures.
• Knowledge of common herbaceous plants to Iowa and ability to identify them. 
• Knowledge of agricultural landscapes, common farming and land use practices, and basic agricultural economics is desirable.
• Experience with Conservation Desktop and/or ArcGIS is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to work well within a dynamic team.
• Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursed).
• Ability to traverse uneven ground and work outdoors in diverse weather conditions throughout the year.
• Able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Experience Guideline:

Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field is highly preferred. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill conservation programs and/or public land habitat management is preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. A successful applicant must enjoy working with private landowners to achieve their objectives. Work experience on a farm or in an agriculture-related field is an asset.

Salary & Benefits:

• Anticipated starting salary range of $42,000 to $50,000 based on experience (but higher salary potential exists commensurate with pertinent experience)
• Health, vision, dental and more insurance coverage plans available.
• 401(k) Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
• Technology Stipend provided to eligible employees.
• Student Loan Assistance program of up to $200/month for eligible employees.  
• Paid Time Off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees (increasing after 3 years).
• Bereavement/Family/Sick Leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year.  
• 13 Paid holidays.
• An Employee Benefit Summary can be found on our Careers page at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs