Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
MS Habitat Specialist (Crew Leader)
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Oxford, Mississippi, United States, 38655
MS Habitat Specialist (Crew Leader)
Location:
Oxford, MS
Application Deadline:
Open until filled
Anticipated Start Date:
January 2025
Overview The incumbent will lead a team of 3 crew members in the completion of habitat management work on cooperating private lands and targeted public lands within a designated 15‑county priority geography in Northeast Mississippi (Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, and Yalobusha County). This position is a full‑time employee of Quail Forever and is supported by a partnership between the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and Quail Forever, Inc. (QF). The role focuses on providing assistance and education to private landowners in the implementation of prescribed fire and other land management practices to benefit wildlife.
Duties & Responsibilities
Lead the implementation of habitat management work on cooperating private lands and public lands, including prescribed burning, firebreak establishment, native plant establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (e.g., hack‑and‑squirt, chainsaw work).
Oversee and participate in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements.
Develop prescribed burn plans and serve as Burn Boss during fire implementation on public and private lands.
Maintain fire qualification and participate in additional trainings as assigned.
Assist with northern bobwhite quail surveys and other scientific surveys, including spring breeding bird surveys, fall covey counts, vegetation surveys, and management of automated recording units.
Procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
Supervise and train a three‑person habitat crew.
Accurately track and record team grant deliverables and assist with the completion of reports.
Assist with outreach and education efforts.
Attend and assist with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings.
Perform other habitat management related duties as assigned.
Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Two years of experience serving on a prescribed fire burn crew.
Experience leading crews in the completion of prescribed burns.
Experience writing prescribed burn plans.
Basic understanding of environmental, agricultural, or natural resource science; a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in wildlife management is preferred.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of upland habitat management and restoration, prescribed fire, and identification and control of invasive plant species.
Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management, with the ability to use habitat management equipment and tools.
Safe transportation and hauling of equipment; ability to safely haul and back trailers.
Clear and effective communication with colleagues, landowners, and partner agencies.
Ability to work independently with little supervision.
Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Physical ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
Pass a Light Work Capacity Test (1 mile in 16 minutes, no pack) annually; higher fitness may be required in future years.
Possible requirement to obtain a CDL or private pesticide applicator license.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Completion of applicable coursework such as Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, Firefighter Training, Wildland Fire Behavior, Chainsaw Operations, Firefighter Type 1, Portable Pumps and Water Use, Firing Operations, and more.
Proven ability to complete all listed coursework (training opportunities will be provided).
Two years of experience conducting prescribed burns and/or forest stand improvement using chainsaws or hack‑and‑squirt methods.
Two years of experience applying herbicides to control undesirable species.
A strong desire to educate and train private landowners in prescribed fire and other habitat management techniques.
Training and Experience Guideline Any combination of training and/or experience that enables the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applicants with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management or a closely related field are preferred. Prescribed fire training and field experience are required.
Salary and Benefits
Starting salary of $50,000.
Health, vision, and dental insurance coverage plans available.
401(k) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
Technology stipend provided.
Paid time off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees, increasing after 3 years.
Bereavement, family, and sick leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year.
13 paid holidays.
Vehicles and equipment are provided for work‑related activities.
Application Requirements Only online applications will be accepted. Submit a single MS Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing your cover letter, detailed resume, and three references. Use the “Attach Resume” button to upload your application package to the “Resume” section on our recruitment website:
www.quailforever.org/jobs .
Contact For additional questions, please contact John Mark Curtis, Quail Forever Mississippi State Coordinator at jcurtis@quailforever.org.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement 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.
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Location:
Oxford, MS
Application Deadline:
Open until filled
Anticipated Start Date:
January 2025
Overview The incumbent will lead a team of 3 crew members in the completion of habitat management work on cooperating private lands and targeted public lands within a designated 15‑county priority geography in Northeast Mississippi (Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, and Yalobusha County). This position is a full‑time employee of Quail Forever and is supported by a partnership between the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and Quail Forever, Inc. (QF). The role focuses on providing assistance and education to private landowners in the implementation of prescribed fire and other land management practices to benefit wildlife.
Duties & Responsibilities
Lead the implementation of habitat management work on cooperating private lands and public lands, including prescribed burning, firebreak establishment, native plant establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (e.g., hack‑and‑squirt, chainsaw work).
Oversee and participate in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements.
Develop prescribed burn plans and serve as Burn Boss during fire implementation on public and private lands.
Maintain fire qualification and participate in additional trainings as assigned.
Assist with northern bobwhite quail surveys and other scientific surveys, including spring breeding bird surveys, fall covey counts, vegetation surveys, and management of automated recording units.
Procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
Supervise and train a three‑person habitat crew.
Accurately track and record team grant deliverables and assist with the completion of reports.
Assist with outreach and education efforts.
Attend and assist with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings.
Perform other habitat management related duties as assigned.
Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Two years of experience serving on a prescribed fire burn crew.
Experience leading crews in the completion of prescribed burns.
Experience writing prescribed burn plans.
Basic understanding of environmental, agricultural, or natural resource science; a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in wildlife management is preferred.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of upland habitat management and restoration, prescribed fire, and identification and control of invasive plant species.
Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management, with the ability to use habitat management equipment and tools.
Safe transportation and hauling of equipment; ability to safely haul and back trailers.
Clear and effective communication with colleagues, landowners, and partner agencies.
Ability to work independently with little supervision.
Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Physical ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
Pass a Light Work Capacity Test (1 mile in 16 minutes, no pack) annually; higher fitness may be required in future years.
Possible requirement to obtain a CDL or private pesticide applicator license.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Completion of applicable coursework such as Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, Firefighter Training, Wildland Fire Behavior, Chainsaw Operations, Firefighter Type 1, Portable Pumps and Water Use, Firing Operations, and more.
Proven ability to complete all listed coursework (training opportunities will be provided).
Two years of experience conducting prescribed burns and/or forest stand improvement using chainsaws or hack‑and‑squirt methods.
Two years of experience applying herbicides to control undesirable species.
A strong desire to educate and train private landowners in prescribed fire and other habitat management techniques.
Training and Experience Guideline Any combination of training and/or experience that enables the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applicants with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management or a closely related field are preferred. Prescribed fire training and field experience are required.
Salary and Benefits
Starting salary of $50,000.
Health, vision, and dental insurance coverage plans available.
401(k) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
Technology stipend provided.
Paid time off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees, increasing after 3 years.
Bereavement, family, and sick leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year.
13 paid holidays.
Vehicles and equipment are provided for work‑related activities.
Application Requirements Only online applications will be accepted. Submit a single MS Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing your cover letter, detailed resume, and three references. Use the “Attach Resume” button to upload your application package to the “Resume” section on our recruitment website:
www.quailforever.org/jobs .
Contact For additional questions, please contact John Mark Curtis, Quail Forever Mississippi State Coordinator at jcurtis@quailforever.org.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement 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.
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