Conservation Specialist - (NAWCA Technician) Crosby, ND

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Conservation Specialist

(NAWCA Technician)

 

Duty Station:  Crosby Wetland Management District; Crosby, North Dakota

 

Application Period:  06/26/2012 to 07/20/2012

 

Start Date:  Negotiable

 

Duties:  Assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Ducks Unlimited in identifying and successfully acquiring perpetual conservation easements on valuable wetland and grassland habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds.  Assist other USFWS Private Lands biologists in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat throughout the Crosby Wetland Management District (WMD).  Officially, this position is a Ducks Unlimited employee, but daily operations are directed by the USFWS.  Coordination with USFWS Private Land staff is essential to ensure proper permits, documentation, and technical guidance is followed on private lands projects.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

• To ensure that the goals of the North Dakota Northern Prairie Project (NAWCA Project) are met through habitat protection, management, restoration, and development projects. 
• Projects include acquisition of grassland and wetland easements, wetland restorations, wetland creations, grass seedings, grazing systems implementation, etc.
• The vast majority of these projects occur on private lands.  It is essential that the candidate for this position has the skills and abilities to work with private landowners to restore and protect valuable migratory bird habitat.
• Coordination with local, state and federal government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, farmers, ranchers, and private landowners to complete projects.

 

Education and experience needed:

• Wetland/grassland ecology of the North Dakota Prairie Pothole Region, habitat management techniques and knowledge of migratory birds and local wildlife.  
• Knowledge of the USDA Farm Bill, North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA), and general farming/ranching practices.
• Knowledge of conservation programs of other agencies and nongovernmental organizations is also beneficial.

 

 Skills needed:

• Must be self-motivated and have persuasive communication abilities to effectively initiate contacts with local landowners via phone, mail, and/or in person visits. 
• Must have excellent organizational skills to follow up on contacts.
• Must have ability to focus on long term goals and manage projects that can take over a year to complete.
• Must have ability to work independently with limited oversight, and also work well as part of the overall team.
• Must have excellent technology and computer skills to prepare maps, data bases, and operate GPS/GIS hardware and software.

 

This position offers much personal satisfaction to those who value the importance of protecting migratory bird habitat in the Northern Missouri Coteau and Mouse River Prairie portions of North Dakota.  The Crosby WMD is located in a top waterfowl producing area in North America. The Crosby area contains excellent wetland resources and offers outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.

 

Because housing is difficult to find in northwest North Dakota, the USFWS will allow the employee to live in the USFWS bunkhouse located at the Crosby WMD Office site for a reasonable rental rate (approximately $150 per month).

To apply or for more information:

To apply, access this job announcement at www.ducks.org/jobs; fill out the application forms provided on-line; attach cover letter, resume, and three references with daytime telephone numbers; and submit.  Application deadline is July 20, 2012.

 

Questions can be directed to:

 

Monte Ellingson

Crosby WMD

10100 Highway 42 NW

Crosby, ND  58730

monte_ellingson@fws.gov

(701-965-6488)

 

OR

 

Rick Warhurst

Ducks Unlimited

2525 River Road

Bismarck, ND 58503

rwarhurst@ducks.org

701-355-3500