Conservation Specialist
North Dakota
Ducks Unlimited is seeking an accomplished and dynamic individual with experience in the delivery of habitat enhancement practices for migratory birds, improved water quality/quantity and increased grassland health. Ducks Unlimited, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department are partnering to employ a Conservation Specialist for the Northern Plains Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative. This initiative will be implemented in eastern North Dakota and is designed to assist agriculture producers in developing sustainable agricultural and wildlife systems by conserving and restoring grasslands and farmed wetlands. The initiative will emphasize wetland restoration/enhancement and associated conservation of upland buffers in order to secure sufficient grassland habitat, pollinator habitat, wetland filtering measures and water retention. The Conservation Specialist must be able to communicate well with agriculture producers concerning Farm Bill Conservation Programs that are available to producers in North Dakota. The individual must be knowledgeable of habitat management actions and how these actions impact wildlife populations, water resources and grasslands health. The position will be located in Minnewaukan, North Dakota and housed in the Natural Resources Conservation Service Office.
Specific Duties:
Outreach
● Perform one-on-one visits with agriculture producers and ranchers within the initiative area concerning available conservation practices and programs.
● Complete pertinent correspondence to producers within the initiative area.
● Develop news articles and fact sheets for the public.
● Assist walk-ins who visit or call the NRCS office with conservation programs information.
● Provide conservation programs information to agriculture producers and ranchers within the initiative area.
Planning
● Identify resource problems, opportunities and concerns in the initiative area.
● Identify and document client’s natural resources objectives.
● Inventory the natural resources and condition on the client’s land unit.
● Analyze the collected resources data.
● Formulate conservation practice alternatives (designing habitat treatments using NRCS Conservation Practices).
● Evaluate conservation practices alternatives with the client.
● Make decisions (client selects which practices to implement).
Application
● Assist client with the application of selected conservation practices and alternatives.
● Document implementation of practices to determine if it has met the proper standard and specification.
● Evaluate the practice implemented through monitoring and follow-up.
Qualifications
● Minimum of a B.S. degree in natural resources or wildlife management.
● Minimum of 3 years of field work experience in the delivery of habitat practices and management of wildlife habitats.
● Strong communication and writing skills.
● Ability to travel frequently and work effectively away from home or office.
● Ability to function both individually and as a member of diverse teams.
● Able to interact with people effectively.
● The ability to recognize habitat needs of migratory birds on specific land units and determine the practices necessary to address those needs.
● Must have a valid driver’s license
The salary for this position is $36,000 annually. This is a full-time position and includes the full Ducks Unlimited benefits package.
To apply or for more information:
To apply, access this job announcement on our website at www.ducks.org/jobs; fill out the application forms provided on-line; attach cover letter, resume, and three references with daytime telephone numbers; and submit. Application deadline is Tuesday, October 15, 2013.
Questions can be directed to:
Rick Warhurst Andy Wingenbach
Ducks Unlimited, Inc. NRCS
Great Plains Regional Office or Devils Lake Area Office
2525 River Road 706 8th Ave., Suite 1
Bismarck, ND 58503 Devils Lake, ND 58301-3749
rwarhurst@ducks.org andy.wingenbach@nd.usda.gov
(701) 355-3500 701-739-1750