AZ Coordinating Wildlife Biologist - Yuma

Pheasants Forever AND* Quail Forever*
The Habitat Organization
JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Coordinating Wildlife Biologist
Location: Yuma Regional Office of the Arizona Game and Fish Dept.
Application Deadline: September 9, 2022
Anticipated Start Date: October 2022
Overview: This position is in the Yuma Regional Office of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and will be a direct employee of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. The position will serve as the regional private lands and ag lessee coordinator for AZ Game and Fish, which provides Farm Bill program technical assistance and broad-based conservation program funding to landowners; provide work on improving wildlife habitat on Department-owned properties, work to deliver AGFD’s Landowner Relations Program, and work with local Quail Forever chapters to provide assistance with quail management/monitoring needs in Arizona. All work will be consistent with and directed to achieve conservation goals of all cooperating partners’ programs.
Duties:

• Plans, organizes, monitors, and implements activities and projects that improve habitat or secure recreational access for hunters in association with the Department’s statewide Landowner Relations Programs (LRP) and coordinating with the Phoenix Headquarters and Yuma Regional Office of AZ Game and Fish Dept.
• Works with landowners, farmers, and ranchers to foster strong relationships, and incorporate wildlife concerns into the planning and implementation of ranch operations.
• Works collaboratively with local NRCS field offices to provide wildlife expertise for staff and landowners working with NRCS.
• Negotiates projects and agreements with private landowners to enhance and conserve sensitive wildlife habitat and special status species on private lands.
• Works closely with private landowners and land management agencies to resolve issues, concerns and problems with wildlife habitat or recreational access.
• Executes and implements all types of agreements with private landowners and land management agencies associated with the Department’s LRP.
• Serve as a point of contact for the Yuma Dove hunting access project
• In addition, works closely with NRCS staff and landowners to promote Farm Bill programs such as Conservation Planning for Wildlife, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and several others.
• Provides staff support in developing required documentation for project compliance (NEPA, ESA, etc).
• Conducts wildlife and wildlife habitat surveys of public and private lands to determine opportunities for wildlife habitat improvements or mitigating recreational access issues.
• Uses technical equipment such as GPS, computers, etc.
• Presents programs to landowners, technical meetings, and public information opportunities.
• Assist with hunter recruitment/retention events
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed.
• Acts as a liaison for the Department with the Agriculture Community, Sportsmen groups, and non-profit entities engaged in habitat restoration or securing recreational access.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Arizona wildlife species and their habitat requirements, and have the ability to effectively coordinate, cooperate, and communicate with private landowners and agencies as an advocate for conservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat and wildlife populations. Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel, G Suite and GIS (ARCGIS) is desirable.
Training and Experience Guideline:
Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field from an accredited college or university, and two years of professional experience in wildlife research or wildlife management. A graduate degree in a wildlife science or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Salary: $45,000 Benefits (view benefit summary on our Recruitment website at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs )
To Apply: Please click the blue APPLY icon at the bottom or upper right corner. For a complete list of current job openings, visit our Recruitment website at: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please combine your cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for this position, along with your resume, and 3 references into a SINGLE Word or PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” section of your application on our Recruitment website.
If you have questions, contact: Al Eiden, Director of Field Operations (West region) at 602-513-6360
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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 per year