Stephen F. Austin State University

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is seeking to fill one Private Lands Wildlife Biologist position in northwestern West Virginia to work effectively with private landowners and local partners in West Virginia to implement sustainable management on private lands following ecologically based silviculture and best management practices for locally occurring priority wildlife species.

The wildlife biologist will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of biologists, foresters, soil conservationists, and others working across West Virginia to address resource concerns and enhance forests on non-industrial private forestland. This project is being coordinated by Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) staff, who are employees of ABC. Supervision, daily direction, training, and support will be provided by AMJV and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff. This position and associated activities are supported with funds from NRCS and ABC.

Primary Duties:

Work with AMJV staff, NRCS, WV Division of Forestry, WV Division of Natural Resources, and other partners to:

1. Develop resources to help NRCS staff and Technical Service Providers plan practices to maximize wildlife objectives.

2. Promote management for priority wildlife species identified in the WV State Wildlife Action Plan by following best management practices.

3. Create fact sheets on the priority species or species groups that benefit from various forestry practices and how to adjust common practices to maximize benefits to these species. Priority species should include both program-specific target species {e.g. Cerulean Warbler) and other species of wildlife (not limited to birds).

4. Work with NRCS staff to implement conservation practices and the delivery of Farm Bill programs with wildlife conservation objectives, including field investigations, site surveys, practice analysis and design, layout, and inspection of conservation practice implementation.

5. Provide training, technical field assistance, and technical tools to both NRCS field staff as well as producers.

6. Assist NRCS field staff with developing outreach materials, conducting site surveys, practice analysis and design, and other aspects of conservation practice implementation.

7. Identify and directly contact private landowners with forest management opportunities.

8. Work with NRCS staff to facilitate private landowner enrollment in NRCS programs.

9. Identify additional landowners and future sites for forest implementation or habitat restoration on private lands.

10. Complete all aspects to facilitate habitat management including:

Collect and use data to prepare the following preparation documents:

a. Conduct resource inventory using industry software as needed

b. Practice implementation requirements

c. Evaluate potential impacts to soil, water, plants, animals, air, and other special environmental concerns (e.g., cultural resources, invasive species, threatened and endangered species)

Layout and mark boundaries of project area(s) and roads using GPS unit, then use collected data to produce necessary maps using computer programs.

Layout the prescription through activities such as timber marking, identifying sensitive resources, etc.

Meet with prospective contractors to tour the project area(s).

Oversee the project implementation to ensure prescriptions are followed

Other duties will include:

Promote forest management following the Cerulean Warbler Forest Management Guidelines to private landowners, foresters and wildlife habitat practitioners Monitor and track project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and possibly assist with focal species monitoring pre- and post-treatment. Assist resource professionals with development of site-specific forest and grassland management plans according to NRCS practice standards and focal species’ best management practices. Complete trainings to pursue NRCS conservation planner certification and job approval authority. Participate in relevant partner meetings at the state or regional level. Complete any NRCS required trainings to maintain access to NRCS systems. Write and submit quarterly and annual reports to AMJV and ABC.

Benefits:

Excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, and employer-matched retirement savings, flexible schedule, etc. Paid vacation days (starting at 15 days annually and increasing to 20 days after 1 year of employment), paid holidays (including both US holidays and additional ABC holidays) and sick leave. Lodging, meals, and transportation covered for work-related travel away from home. Rental vehicle or personal mileage reimbursement where applicable.