WHF seeks Wildlife Conservationist

Job Type: Permanent
Deadline: April 30, 2023

Overview: Through a 3-year Cooperative Agreement with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC), WHF is seeking one professional level individual on an employee basis to coordinate conservation planning efforts within a 10 county focal area on the Texas mid-coast (Brazoria, Calhoun, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Chambers, Jackson, Matagorda, Victoria, and Wharton counties). Position to be located in Matagorda County. This agreement is focused on providing landowners with direct assistance to permanently protect working and natural lands through conservation easements as well as helping landowners manage and enhance habitat on privately owned lands for the benefit of grassland dependent wildlife species.

Duties: In coordination with the WHF Executive Managing Director, the prospective employee will:
● Develop and implement information, education and outreach opportunities by reaching out to private landowners through direct contact (phone, email, regular mail, social media), landowner focused seminars and field days, and through collaborative efforts with various partnering conservation oriented organizations.
● Develop NRCS Resource Management System Conservation Plans that serve to educate landowners and other interested groups with the existing natural resources present on their land and the applicable Conservation Alternatives that will assist them with reaching their goals and objectives.
● These plans will provide realistic timelines for the implementation of selected Conservation Alternatives as well as needed future monitoring and maintenance activities.
● After initial training and guidance from the Executive Managing Director, there will be latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
● Conservation plans developed will serve as the basis of financial incentive programs such as; NRCS’s EQIP, CPC’s RCPP, Conservation Security Program, USFWS Partners Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Pastures for Upland Birds Program and the Joint Venture’s Grassland Restoration Incentive Programs.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
● Ability to be part of multiple teams and, where appropriate, provide coordination and leadership working with a diverse set of partner organizations and individual landowners to achieve conservation objectives at multiple scales (individual land parcel to state level) and through the work of others.
● Knowledge of rangeland and wildlife ecology, prescribed fire, and grassland, wetland, and early
succession habitat restoration and management.
● Ability to convey the use of various habitat management tools necessary in the development of management plans.
● Practical experience with agricultural systems, farming and ranching.
● Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, partner agencies and colleagues.
● Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
● Excellent verbal and written communication.
● Strong organizational skills.
● Demonstrated leadership abilities with a high degree of self-motivation.
● Proficiency with Google Earth, QGIS or other mapping products; use of personal cell phone and computer is required.
● Strong conflict resolution skills.
● Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle is required (mileage reimbursement provided). In addition, the employee must be able to safely accomplish moderate lifting (up to 50 lbs.), sustained moderate physical activity (walking) in an outdoor setting, be able to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle and be willing to perform related work as assigned.

Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience.

Salary Range: up to $80,000 with No additional Benefits

HOW TO APPLY
Please combine your cover letter and resume into a single Word document or PDF file and email to
Garry.stephens@whf-texas.org.