Habitat Specialist (Marais des Cygnes)

About the role

This position is part of a partnership between the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF).

Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of managing the assigned wildlife management areas.
• Supervise and implement habitat management work on public lands which will include but is not limited to prescribed burning, mechanical tree removal with skid steer, food plot establishment, brome conversion, native grass establishment, dove field management, and herbicide application.
• Participate in scientific field studies and surveys which will include spotlight deer surveys, pheasant crow counts, quail whistle counts, pheasant and turkey brood surveys, fall covey counts, and waterfowl surveys.
• Coordinate agricultural permits and habitat plans using GIS.
• Participate in habitat management of intensely managed wetlands with a focus on moist soil management, including wetland draw downs, water pumping, use of a variety of water control structures, wetland design, infrastructure repairs and maintenance, soil disturbance techniques, flood response, row crop production, and use of large array of tools and equipment to meet management objectives.
• Procure supplies and equipment.
• Supervise and participate in the construction, maintenance and repair of area buildings, equipment, and roads.
• Provide public outreach.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science.
• Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners.
• Preference will be given to candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on wildlife management.
• Strongly preferred qualifications include a basic understanding of upland habitat management, prescribed burning, tractor and implement operation, equipment transportation, hand and power tools, noxious weed identification and management, wildlife and grassland ecology, and GIS, especially ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management or related field and/or related experience.
• Strongly preferred qualifications include a basic understanding of upland habitat management, prescribed burning, tractor and implement operation, equipment transportation, hand and power tools, noxious weed identification and management, wildlife and grassland ecology, and GIS, especially ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro.

Skills

• Clear and effective communication.
• Organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Benefits

Starting Salary Information: $19.00/hour starting salary, benefits, and modest performance-based yearly increases (view benefit summary on our recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs).

Pay

$19.00/hour starting salary, benefits, and modest performance-based yearly increases.

Schedule

Full-time, permanent employee of PFQF.

Benefits

View benefit summary on our recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.

Description of Work Area

Marais des Cygnes WMA: The Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area is approximately 45 minutes south of Overland Park, Kansas. It lies in the floodplain of the Marais des Cygnes River and is unique for its quantity of managed wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest. The array of wetland units are managed for a diversity of habitat types, producing abundant food and cover for migratory waterfowl and other wetland species. In general, wetlands are dewatered in the spring and reflooded in the fall with water pumped from the river. Bottomland hardwood forests are dominated by oak and hickory and are excellent habitat for turkey, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and, during wet seasons, waterfowl that use forested wetlands. In addition to wetlands and bottomland forest, the area features upland forest, upland and wet-meadow prairie, restored native grasslands, and cropland. Waterfowl hunting recreation is the primary objective for this area. The Habitat Specialist is actively involved in all aspects of wetland and upland habitat management.

Hillsdale WMA: Habitat types include grassland, forest, wetland, ponds, and farmland. Grasslands vary from open grass- and wildflower-dominated fields to brushy shrublands abundant with dogwood, plum, sumac, and cedar. More than 1,000 acres of mature oak, hickory, and walnut forest provides hard mast for forest wildlife. Six moist soil wetlands are managed for ephemeral and emergent vegetation for native wildlife, particularly migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Also, more than 20 ponds can be found across the Wildlife Area. Approximately 500 acres of the Wildlife Area is planted to corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and winter wheat, annually. Additional crops are planted as food plots. Food plot locations may change from year-to-year.

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 at: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs. If you have additional questions, please contact Kent Hensley, PF/QF Kansas Habitat Specialist Manager, at 785-639-8481 or khensley@pheasantsforever.org.

Company Description

Pheasants Forever, Inc is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.