IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Ducks Unlimited Conservation Specialist
Application Deadline: October 5, 2013
Employment Location and Work Area:
Position will be located in the county USDA-NRCS office in Turtle Lake, ND. Primary work area will be McLean, Sheridan and Burleigh counties. Periodic work may be necessary in surrounding counties.
Position Overview:
The Conservation Specialist will work in county FSA/NRCS office to promote USDA conservation programs and provide both programmatic and biological technical assistance to private landowners interested in enrolling in these programs. In addition, this position will help promote the conservation programs of other organizations, including Ducks Unlimited (DU), the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits, co-funded by the USDA-NRCS, DU and the NDGF. Positions are funded for two years but are expected to be longer term, subject to appropriations. Successful applicant will be employee of DU’s Great Plains Regional Office located in Bismarck, ND and will receive primary supervision from DU. Daily supervision will be provided by county NRCS staff. Successful applicant will receive required training from USDA, DU and the NDGF on priority conservation programs.
Duties:
- Provide programmatic and biological technical assistance for USDA conservation programs to private landowners, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations;
- Work closely with county USDA staff to ensure that USDA conservation programs are implemented on private land in a manner that maximizes the soil, water, waterfowl and other wildlife benefits of the programs;
- Coordinate with DU, NDGF, USFWS and other conservation interests to effectively leverage conservation resources for delivery of conservation programs;
- Assist USDA and private landowners with applications, contracts and other documentation required for participation in USDA conservation programs;
- Promote and encourage private landowners to participate in USDA conservation programs and conservation programs from other conservation organizations, including DU, NDGF and the USFWS;
- Conduct site visits to determine eligibility for USDA conservation programs;
- Assist USDA with required monitoring of lands enrolled in USDA conservation programs to maximize conservation benefits;
- Assist with other duties, as needed.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the principles used in the management of waterfowl and other grassland-dependent wildlife populations;
- Knowledge of wetland and grassland management practices to enhance habitats for breeding waterfowl and other grassland-nesting wildlife populations;
- Knowledge of Federal farm bill legislation, USDA conservation programs and the value of USDA conservation programs to breeding waterfowl and other grassland- and wetland-dependent wildlife in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota;
- Working knowledge of conservation programs provided by DU, NDGF and USFWS;
- Knowledge of the interaction between the public, natural resource agencies and wildlife resources;
- Knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office software;
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team;
- Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work activities and complete tasks to meet deadlines;
- Ability to prepare and present information on conservation programs to peers and the public;
- Possess strong personal skills in order to effectively communicate with private landowners, USDA staff, other wildlife professionals and the general public;
- Possess strong writing skills for preparation of technical and popular reports, management plans, etc.;
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
- 4-yr. Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management or a closely related natural resources field and 1-yr. of experience;
- Any combination of education, experience and training that enables the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Comments: Duties may require periodic overnight travel, both in and out of state. Duties may require field work in extreme weather conditions.
Salary: $33,056.16/yr.
To apply: Fill out the application forms provided at www.ducks.org/jobs; attach cover letter, resume, and three references with daytime telephone numbers; and submit by October 5, 2013. For more information regarding this position, contact Rick Warhurst at Ducks Unlimited at (701) 355-3527 or rwarhurst@ducks.org.
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