Habitat Specialist II or III (Crew)

About the role

Work in joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever (PFQF) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to enhance and increase wildlife and pollinator habitat within designated roadside prairie and landscape-level resource management areas across Central Illinois (IDOT Districts 5 and 6).

Responsibilities

• Implement habitat management work on IDOT ROW that includes but is not limited to edge feathering, herbicide application, burn line construction and prescribed burning, invasive/exotic plant control, native shrub establishment and native grass/forb establishment.
• Aid crew lead in procuring supplies and equipment following IDOT/Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices.
• Aid with grant reporting duties in conjunction with collaborating organizations.
• Serve as burn crew members on prescribed fires.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported, mapped and entered on time.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

Requirements

• A solid understanding of environmental, ecological, and/or natural resource science. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners.
• Demonstrated experience conducting at least two of the following: upland habitat management, prescribed burning, operating tractors and agricultural implements (discing, mowing, fire line creation, etc.), identification and control of invasive species and other undesired vegetation.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with private landowners, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Experience in GIS systems and mapping.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, and grassland management, including utilizing various habitat management equipment and tools in developing wildlife habitat.
• Ability to successfully pass an arduous pack test annually.
• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Have or be able to attain an Illinois Right-of-Way (ROW) pesticide applicator license within 6 months of start date.
• Experience with or strong interest in conducting prescribed fires.
• Desired Prescribed Fire course work: S130/S190, IS-100.C, IS700.b, L180
• Wildland fire experience, especially in prescribed fire.
• Job-related experience using mechanical or chemical methods for controlling invasive species.
• Job-related experience operating and maintaining tractors, discs, and planting equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in ecology, forestry, or wildlife management.

Skills

• Environmental, ecological, and/or natural resource science.
• Upland habitat management.
• Prescribed burning.
• Operating tractors and agricultural implements.
• Invasive species control.
• Grant reporting.
• GIS systems and mapping.
• Wildlife ecology and grassland management.
• Passing an arduous pack test annually.
• Lifting and carrying 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Verbal and written communication.
• Organizational skills.
• Driving.
• Pesticide applicator license.
• Prescribed fire course work.
• Wildland fire experience.
• Control of invasive species.
• Operating and maintaining tractors, discs, and planting equipment.

Benefits

See our benefits summary on our recruitment website, www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.

Pay

$45,000-65,000 commensurate with experience + benefits.

Schedule

Full-time, permanent employees of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

Contact

To apply, please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs

If you have questions about the position, contact Katie Kauzlarich-Stockman, PF/QF Illinois State Coordinator, at [email protected] or (309) 264-1678.