Wildlife Management Specialist

About the role

This position is part of a partnership between Pheasants Forever and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The PF Wildlife Management Specialist is expected to perform a variety of maintenance and technical tasks at the wildlife management unit as well as promote and implement the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP). The employee is expected to display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.

Responsibilities

The job duties of this position include general wildlife management activities on State owned wildlife areas within the assigned unit counties. Overnight travel will occasionally be required on special projects outside of the assigned unit counties.

• Perform general wildlife management activities including: wetland management, prairie management, native prairie seeding, food plot development, edge feathering, tree/brush removal, spraying, disking, mowing, etc. using large farm machinery, chainsaws, and other hand tools.
• Prescribed fire implementation for ecological purposes, including fire-line construction, fire-line holding, and mop-up activities.
• Follow up on enrolled IHAP sites, contracting and ensuring that planned work has been completed.
• Contact targeted landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and follow up with interested landowners.
• Wildlife Surveys & Monitoring including: waterfowl banding, deer spotlight routes, August roadside surveys, spring bird point counts, fall quail covey counts, chronic wasting disease sampling, etc.
• Collecting of biological data occasionally will require early or late in the day work scheduling.
• General area maintenance involving mowing, sign posting, fence building, fence removal, tree/brush control, noxious weed control etc.
• Special assignments may require some overnight travel as part of a crew, to accomplish large scale fence removal, fence building or tree removal projects outside of the assigned unit counties.

Requirements

The employee must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, travel on overnight duties, and work with minimal supervision. They must also demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.

• College graduate with a degree in wildlife biology, animal ecology, or another closely related natural resource field.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Able to travel on overnight duties.
• Work with minimal supervision; demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Able to work alone or as part of a team, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.
• Exhibit honesty and integrity.
• Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers.
• Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.

Qualifications

Special requirements include possessing or being able to acquire a pesticide applicator’s license and S130-190 basic firefighter training certification within 90 days of hire. The successful applicant will also be encouraged to obtain a commercial driver’s license, Iowa DNR chainsaw safety certification, and first aid & bloodborne pathogen training.

Benefits

Pheasants Forever offers a competitive benefits package, including the opportunity to work alongside permanent DNR staff to develop technical skills, work outdoors, and expand your professional network. There is also a high rate of recruitment from PF Wildlife Specialist positions to permanent positions within DNR, PF and other conservation entities.

Pay

The salary for this position is $17.00 per hour, with a typical schedule of 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 40 hours per week.

Schedule

The anticipated start date is 2-4 weeks post successful job offer, with an end date of one year from the start date.