IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership Habitat Coordinator
Position Summary:
Title: Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership Habitat Coordinator
Supervisor: Migratory Bird Program Director
Location: NRCS office in Rhinelander, WI
Application Deadline: June 13, 2013 (Interviews will be conducted week of June 23, 2013)
Term of Position:Approx. July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 with potential for annual renewal
Introduction and Primary Duties:
American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is looking for a motivated individual to work effectively with private forest landowners and local partners in Wisconsin to implement best management practices for young forest and associated wildlife on private lands.
The Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership was organized to broadly promote young forest conservation. Our goal is to establish a landscape-scale conservation approach that can deliver young forest habitat on suitable lands across Wisconsin, regardless of ownership. By pooling agency and partner resources and conducting this effort in a structured way, landscape-scale habitat effects can impact wildlife at the population level while making positive contributions at the local level via timber and related management and improved outdoor recreation opportunities to view and pursue wildlife. Young forest habitat management activities will target declining wildlife species such as Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA) and American Woodcock. The Habitat Coordinator position and associated activities are supported with funds from NRCS, US Forest Service, American Bird Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, WI County Forest Association, Wildlife Management Institute, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
The Habitat Coordinator's main duties will be to:
Work with ABC's Migratory Bird team and local partners such as NRCS, WI DNR, USFWS, NGOs, local foresters and others to:
- Promote young forest management to private landowners, foresters and wildlife habitat practitioners; including organizing and conducting training workshops with other resource managers.
- Identify and directly contact at least private landowners with early successional (young forest) habitat management opportunities.
- Coordinate and facilitate property field visits by recognized professional resource managers to provide technical assistance and advance management plan development.
- Facilitate private landowner enrollment in NRCS programs and NRCS contracting.
- Maintain records of all landowner involved in the program, and tracks each to assure contacts are made, landowners are connected to appropriate resources, and management activities are implemented and completed.
- Work with professional resource managers to assist with contracting, preparing, and overseeing the implementation of young forest habitat on private lands (commercial or non-commercial) using established GWWA best management practices (250 acres minimum).
- Identify additional landowners and future sites for young forest implementation or habitat restoration on public and private lands.
Other duties will include:
- Monitor and track project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and possibly assist with focal species monitoring pre- and post-treatment.
- Assist resource professionals with development of site specific forest management plans according to NRCS practice standards and focal species' best management practices.
- Communicate with, and provide technical assistance to, private landowners as well as local, state and federal agencies on implementation of best management practices for young forest focal species.
- Write and submit quarterly and annual reports to ABC and the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership Steering Committee.
Position Requirements:
- The position requires excellent networking and communication skills (presentation, inter-personal, reading, writing); project management experience, and organizing and leadership skills.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in wildlife ecology, forestry, or environmental sciences, or a related field. An understanding of conservation implementation, habitat management, ornithology, forestry, or wildlife biology desired.
- Knowledge of NRCS landowner cost-share programs especially EQIP.
- Experience working with private landowners as well as public agencies (ex. NRCS, WI DNR, USFWS, USDA Forest Service) as well as knowledge of landowner incentive programs desired.
- Ability to use Execl, ArcMAP, Google Maps, and other computer mapping systems to identify and delineate project boundaries.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results and meet deadlines. Applicant must, be self-motivated, responsible and have ability to solve problems.
- Coordinator may be required to participate in specific training programs in order to use partner facilities and equipment. Applicant must have a valid driver's license.
- The Habitat Coordinator will be based out of the NRCS office in Rhinelander, WI. The Habitat Coordinator is an ABC employee and represents ABC and the WI Young Forest Partnership in their work. This Habitat Coordinator will report to ABC's Migratory Bird Program Director. The daily activities of the Habitat Coordinator will be overseen by the NRCS District Conservationist at the Rhinelander NRCS Service Center and the WI DNR Wildlife Biologist at the Rhinelander DNR Service Center.
Salary range: $40-50,000 depending on experience.
Application Instructions
Please send a cover letter and resume to:
Merrie Morrison
Vice President of Operations
hr@abcbirds.org
