Habitat Specialist II

About the role

The Habitat Specialist II position is located in Albany, GA and is part of a partnership between Quail Forever, Inc., Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Bobwhite Quail Pine Savanna Project.

Responsibilities

• Led by a crew leader, the four-person team will work with partners to conduct habitat management practices with a focus on prescribed fire, early-succession management, and ecological restoration.
• Implement habitat management work on cooperating private landowners as well as public lands that includes but is not limited to herbicide application, prescribed burning, native grass/forb establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (hack and squirt or chainsaw methods).
• Participate in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements used during your work.
• Serve as burn crew member on public and private lands and maintain qualification and participate in any additional training.
• Occasionally assist with northern bobwhite quail surveys and other scientific surveys, including but not limited to spring breeding bird surveys, fall covey counts, vegetation surveys, and management of automated recording units (ARU) on private and conservation lands.
• Assist crew lead to procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
• Assist with outreach and education efforts.
• Attend/Assist with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings.
• Perform other habitat management related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

Requirements

• A basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of upland habitat management and restoration, prescribed fire, identification and control of invasive plant species, and use of tractors and related implements (disks, brush cutters, herbicide sprayers, seed drills, etc).
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat.
• Safe transportation/hauling of equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required and a clean driving record.
• Applicant may be required to obtain a CDL, private pesticide applicators license and prescribed fire training.

Skills

• Basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of upland habitat management and restoration, prescribed fire, identification and control of invasive plant species, and use of tractors and related implements (disks, brush cutters, herbicide sprayers, seed drills, etc).
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat.
• Safe transportation/hauling of equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.

Benefits

• Starting salary of $40,000-42,000 (Commensurate with qualifications).
• Health, vision, dental and more insurance coverage plans available.
• 401(k) Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
• Technology Stipend provided.
• 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.

Pay

Starting salary of $40,000-42,000 (Commensurate with qualifications).

Schedule

Full time position.