Habitat Specialist (Perry)
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). The incumbent will conduct habitat management work on the Perry Wildlife Management Area and other wildlife areas. They are full-time, permanent employees of PFQF and will receive daily leadership from KDWP Wildlife Area Managers.
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 a variety 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.
- Participate in training and evaluation of seasonal employees.
- 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 of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or related field and/or related experience.
Skills
- Clear and effective communication with colleagues, partner agencies, and the public.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Benefits
Starting Salary Information: $19.00/hour starting salary, benefits, and a modest performance-based yearly increases (view benefit summary on our recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs).
Description of Area
The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks has leased 10,500 acres of land at the north end of the Perry Reservoir Project from the U.S. Corps of Engineers since 1970. The area is operated and managed by the Department for wildlife management and public hunting opportunities.
Most of Perry Wildlife Area lies within the Perry Reservoir flood pool, thus flooding is not uncommon. The Delaware River bisects the area from north to south with several small creeks feeding it. The area has a diversity of habitats with interspersion of Oak-Hickory woodlands, warm and cool season grasslands, man-made wetlands, and several acres of cropland.
Periodically, some marshes will be drained to conduct dike repairs and control invading woody vegetation and cattails. Management of upland habitats over the years has consisted of converting croplands and cool season grasses to native warm season grasses and forbs, planting of shrub plots, selective cutting of invading woody vegetation, and prescribed burning to stimulate native warm season grasses and forbs.
White-tailed deer and wild turkey are plentiful on the area. Waterfowl numbers vary depending on available habitat, but the area has supported large numbers during both the fall and spring migrations. Mourning dove numbers vary yearly depending on nesting conditions. Ring-necked pheasant can be found on the area with good numbers on the area. Bobwhite quail populations are good on the area, but a good dog is needed due to the dense vegetation. Squirrel and cottontail rabbit numbers are generally healthy and provide some of the most underutilized hunting opportunities on the area. Non-game species are very plentiful on the area and provide some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities. A wide array of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians can be found on the area. Fishing for catfish, white bass, and crappie in the Delaware River are also popular activities. Trapping, which is allowed on the area, can be a very successful venture due to the wide array of furbearer habitats.
Contact Information
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.