Dakota Grasslands Habitat Partnership Coordinator

Position Overview: The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is seeking applicants to fulfill a Habitat Partnership Coordinator (Coordinator) position for the Dakota Grasslands of the Northern Great Plains to enhance conservation of grasslands to benefit mule deer, pronghorn, sage-grouse and other wildlife.  The incumbent’s responsibility will be to increase the delivery and implementation of conservation efforts on private and public lands in SW North Dakota, SE Montana, NW South Dakota, and NE Wyoming in collaboration with MDF’s conservation partners. This position will provide range & wildlife technical assistance, coordination and support for collaborative conservation, management, and restoration efforts in crucial grasslands and rangelands across all administrative boundaries with a focus on delivery of Farm Bill conservation programs to private landowners and cross-boundary efforts across public and private lands. This is a remote position which will require a home office and the ability to travel extensively throughout the area described previously. This position is a full-time, 2-year term position with possible extension based on funding.

Duties, Roles, and Responsibilities:

• Assist with landscape-level conservation planning, project prioritization, and project support to private landowners, federal agencies, state agencies, and tribes.
• Strengthen existing partnerships and increase project coordination while engaging and bringing on board new partners to continue to build a collaborative network.
• Identify and provide assistance to private landowners for implementation of Farm Bill conservation programs (EQIP, CRP, etc.) to increase participation and benefit mule deer, pronghorn, sage-grouse, and other wildlife.
• Provide technical assistance in planning and wildlife ecology / habitat conservation and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and others.
• Coordinate integration and application of biological sciences, management plans, operational plans, and other plans providing prioritization for wildlife and other resource concerns within the local partnership group in cooperation with the local federal, state, and tribal staff and partners.
• Coordinate with cooperators, partners, stakeholders, and private landowners/permittees on landscape-level conservation planning, habitat improvement projects, and project prioritization.
• Assist cooperators in writing and reviewing land health assessments, biological assessments, environmental assessments, and mitigation plans. Provide rangeland and wildlife conservation focus when planning with private landowners, federal permittees, state agencies, tribes, and NGOs.
• Coordinate with range specialists and permittees on range improvement projects and permit renewal needs.
• Provide guidance and conservation planning for managing big-game and sage-grouse habitat areas and migration corridors.
• Assist with the completion of necessary administrative requirements when necessary (NEPA, Archeology, T&E, etc.) teams on various projects such as habitat restoration or land health assessments.
• Coordinate with MDF’s regional directors and other staff.
• Conduct outreach, coordination, and relationship-building with area permittees, private landowners, state agencies, NGOs, conservation districts, local working groups, and others to build partnership capacity. Examples could include field tours, presentations, workshops, or meeting attendance.
• Develop and write success stories with local partners to highlight accomplishments through public relations and communications.
• Work with various state and local agencies (including, but not limited to state fish/wildlife agencies, Conservation Districts, etc.) to coordinate success stories and leverage support for future restoration work.
• Write, and secure grants for project implementation and outreach, leverage partner funding, and write agreements as appropriate.      
• Facilitate conversations and awareness on sagebrush conservation strategies and opportunities to all partners and stakeholders.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science degree in Rangeland Science, Wildlife Biology/Management, or Restoration Ecology from an accredited university. A strong background in range management with wildlife management is preferred.
• Have a minimum of 2 years, preferred 3+ years, work experience in a similar field.
• Understanding/knowledge of the Farm Bill, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act, and the federal land management and policy is recommended.
• Knowledge of range science, fire and invasive species, and wildlife ecology and restoration.
• Understanding of the federal and state agency, policy, planning, clearances, regulations, etc. is preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license and skillset to drive at high elevation, and often remote locations, on a regular basis and occasionally during inclement weather.
• Knowledge of computer skills is required and familiarity with ArcGIS, MS Office, and other programs used in field work.
• Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions