Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I, II, or III

An individual in this position will work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate, and implement the voluntary conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related state, local and other voluntary conservation programs. Activities will include: 

• Voluntary conservation program promotion
• Contract coordination
• Conservation planning 
• Conservation plan modification
• Site assessments
• Reporting
• Attend Farm Bill Biologist training and assist in coordinating technical assistance efforts  
• Provide technical assistance to farmers/landowners on conservation planning, habitat planning and other wildlife related practices.  
• Meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and other local partners to influence habitat management efforts and participate in statewide meetings

This position will be based out of the USDA Service Center in Marshall, MN. The individual is an employee of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and receives supervision from Pheasants Forever with daily instruction by the local USDA-NRCS and SWCD staff. The individual will serve in providing technical assistance of biological/wildlife aspects of all USDA NRCS Conservation Programs, BWSR, SWCD and PF voluntary programs to private landowners and participants. 

• Help landowners identify plants and habitat on their property and guide them in improving those habitats for wildlife utilizing voluntary conservation programs from USDA NRCS, PF, BWSR and other local and state programs.
• Use science-based knowledge to improve habitat within the agricultural regions of the work area. This includes collaboration amongst staff, and being the in-house technical wildlife expert, and the go-to person for landowners within the work area who have wildlife and habitat related questions.
• Write contracts and other documents to help guide landowners in implementing voluntary conservation programs.
• Collaborate between partnering agencies to achieve habitat restoration and management goals for landowners and programs.
• Collaborate with local USDA office to promote and implement the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
• Assist partners with all phases of the Reinvest in MN (RIM) conservation easement program, including outreach, title work, construction, and reimbursement.
• Assist partners with outreach, contract development, and implementation of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.