Location is negotiable, with central Kansas being preferred.

Overview:

The Habitat Specialist Manager (HSM) will work largely from a home office (some travel required) and will serve as the direct supervisor to the habitat specialists in Kansas. The incumbent will serve as a member of the Conservation Operations Team and will work in a joint capacity with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), and other partners to coordinate and manage the technical proficiency, conservation delivery, and growth and development of the Habitat Specialist Team. The success of this position will result in the enhanced delivery and implementation of wildlife related conservation technologies and tools across the state.

Duties performed by the incumbent will involve all activities associated with the provision of direct oversight, leadership, and guidance to the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF&QF) Habitat Specialist Team to ensure effective and strategic conservation delivery throughout the state of Kansas. In partnership with KDWP, PF&QF chapters, and other local, state, and federal conservation entities; the Habitat Specialist Manager will ensure the successful delivery and implementation our habitat specialist initiatives in Kansas. This position will be an employee of, and supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc. & Quail Forever, with daily instruction and leadership provided by PF & QF and informed by partners. 

About the Area:

Kansas offers large expanses of native shortgrass, mixed grass, and tallgrass prairies, which support diverse and abundant wildlife populations. Kansas offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including wildlife areas managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), KDWP’s Walk-In Hunting Access program, and National Refuges that provide opportunities for upland game bird, deer, waterfowl hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

Specific Duties:

• Provide direct oversight, leadership, and guidance to the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever habitat specialist team ensuring effective conservation delivery and coordination throughout the state.
• Meet with staff and partners annually to develop staff work plans, set goals, and conduct performance reviews.
• Manage and maintain resource inventories to ensure the habitat specialist teams have what is required for the construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities, equipment, and implements pertinent to their job.
• Track equipment for all habitat specialists/teams
• Coordinate the habitat specialists’ participation in scientific field studies and surveys.
• Oversee and coordinate the procurement of supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
• Serve as a collaborative member on the state leadership team.
• Work with partner agencies, area biologists, and area managers regularly to accomplish partnership goals and objectives.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with partners to promote habitat restoration and management including working with PF/QF chapters and regional representatives to inform them of habitat restoration and management opportunities and successes.
• Work closely with partner staff to provide insight and input related to program standards and specifications specifically focused on habitat restoration and management, assisting with the development and review/update of habitat related program standards and specifications and enhancements.
• Attend appropriate partner conferences to present on the habitat specialist program where applicable.
• Coordinate and host state-wide resource professional annual training including but not limited to safety training, prescribed fire refreshers, equipment operation or other habitat-oriented training.
• Work with the PF/QF leadership team to compile reports for grant deliverable progress.
• Ensure habitat specialist crews are reporting their work products in CRM in a timely manner for F/QF and partner reporting timelines.
• Monitor the progress of the PF/QF habitat specialist teams in the delivery of strategic conservation initiatives, keeping partners aware of timelines and milestones, prepare quarterly written progress reports and a full year summary report to share with partners.
• Work with the Kansas team to develop content that promotes the habitat specialist partnership, projects, and people including press releases, social media, newspaper articles, and newsletters.
• Assist in project documentation including use of enhanced videography and drones.
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work out of a home office (equipment will be supplied).
• Excellent leadership skills with supervision experience preferred.
• Must be team oriented and goal driven.
• Must be a self-starter and problem solver.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and have excellent people skills.
• Must be able to work effectively with governmental agency staff and conservation organization representatives.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Ability to plan state meetings, habitat workshops, and other meetings of importance to the public, chapters, and resource professionals.
• Extensive knowledge of wildlife ecology, habitat management, wildlife habitat management techniques, principles, goals and objectives, and the implementation tools used to carry out these techniques and practices.
• Experience conducting upland habitat management, prescribed burning, prescribed grazing, operating equipment and agricultural implements (tractors, disking, mowing, planting, etc.), identification and control of noxious weeds and undesirable vegetation.
• Prescribed fire experience is preferred.
• Experience working across public and/or private lands is required.
• Good computer skills including knowledge of: The Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint etc.), Adobe, CRM (preferred), ArcGIS/ArcPro (or other geospatial software), and other work related technologies such as GPS.
• Valid driver’s license required with an acceptable driving record and history.
• Knowledge of safety planning and necessary personal protective equipment; to include safe transportation/hauling of equipment and the process of attaining relevant licenses/certifications.
• Ability to manage budgets for habitat specialist crews and maintain accurate financial reports for partnership programs.
• Ability to produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for internal and external reporting.
• Ability to track grant progress and budgets.

Education and Experience Guidelines:

Applicants who possess an Associate degree or Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Forestry, Environmental Science, or closely related field and/or additional field experience are preferred. However, applicants with five or more years of experience leading habitat implementation crews and have the prerequisite training also meet the education and experience requirements for this position. Applicants should be detail oriented, innovative, and a resourceful self-starter that is able to work with minimal supervision. Must be team oriented, with good oral and written communication skills.