
Habitat Specialist - Two positions
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Stockton & Wilson, Kansas
Job Type | Permanent |
Salary Details | $37,689.60/year, starting salary + Benefits (see our benefits summary at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs) |
Deadline | Oct 20, 2023 |

Overview: These two positions are part of a partnership between Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF). The incumbents will conduct habitat management work on public wildlife management areas. They are full-time, permanent employees of PFQF and will receive daily leadership from KDWP Wildlife Area Managers. These positions not only provide professional services but also prepare employees for potential advancement in the natural resources field by providing training in planning, management, and implementation of habitat practices.
Duties: The incumbent will assist with all aspects of managing the assigned wildlife management areas. Major responsibilities include:
- Supervising and implementing habitat management work on public lands which could include, but is not limited to prescribed burning, mechanical tree removal with skid steer, food plot establishment, brome conversion, native grass establishment, dove field management, and herbicide application.
- Participating in scientific field studies and surveys which could include spotlight deer surveys, pheasant crow counts, quail whistle counts, pheasant, and turkey brood surveys, fall covey counts, and waterfowl surveys. Incumbent may assist other biologists and divisions with sampling, surveys, and other duties.
- Coordinating agricultural permits and habitat plans using GIS.
- Procuring supplies and equipment.
- Supervising and participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of area buildings, equipment, and roads.
- Providing public outreach.
- Participating in training and evaluation of seasonal employees.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- A basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners. Preference will be given to candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in wildlife management.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies.
- Ability to work independently with little supervision.
- Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Training and Experience Guideline: A general qualification for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or related field and/or related experience. Other preferred, but not required qualifications include a basic understanding of upland habitat management, prescribed burning, tractor and implement operation, equipment transportation, hand and power tools, noxious weed identification and management, wildlife and grassland ecology, and GIS, especially ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro. Proper training will be provided as necessary for the successful candidate.
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word Document or PDF File before uploading to the “Resume” section of your application on our Recruitment website at: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.
If you have additional questions, please contact Shelly Wiggam, Kansas State Coordinator, swiggam@pheasantsforever.org.
Pheasants Forever, Inc and Quail Forever 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.
Description of Work Areas:
Webster Wildlife Area
Located on the South Fork Solomon River on the western boundary of the Smoky Hills in Northcentral Kansas. Webster WA is on the upper end of 3,740-acre Webster Reservoir and encompasses 7,622 acres of public hunting area that is intensively managed for game species, hunting, and non-consumptive uses. Pheasant, quail, turkey, whitetail deer, waterfowl, furbearers, dove, rabbits, many songbirds, and non-game wildlife inhabit and use the area. Deer, waterfowl, upland birds, and turkey hunting are the primary land uses and at times Webster can be excellent for hunting and wildlife viewing.
Over the past 25 years at Webster WA cedar trees and shrub thickets have greatly expanded and are now choking out some areas of formerly excellent wildlife habitat. This has created the potential for habitat improvements to make significant impacts on all species of local wildlife. The work done by this Habitat Specialist will positively impact the landscape, create “new ground effect,” and result in significant increases in wildlife populations on Webster WA. Secondarily, there has previously been no turkey, quail, or pheasant population monitoring on Webster WA. The Habitat Specialist at Webster will assist in the establishment of long-term data sets and indexing which will allow us to monitor the immediate effects of our habitat improvement projects. Finally, this Habitat Specialist will have ample opportunity, and be encouraged, to spend time partaking in outdoor recreation, reading about wildlife management, and exploring online resources to improve their understanding of ecology. The synergy between your daily work and your recreational pursuits will allow you to develop as a habitat manager, a wildlife biologist, and a professional.
Wilson Wildlife Area & Smoky Hill Wildlife Area
Wilson Wildlife Area is an 8,070-acre property situated along the Saline River Valley above Wilson Reservoir (9,000 acres). The property consists of mixed grass prairies managed with a combination of fire, grazing, and mechanical removal of cedar trees and other encroaching woody species. An intensive agricultural program includes approx. 1,500 acres of crop fields managed for wildlife benefits. Crops include cover crops, corn, wheat, milo, soybeans, sunflowers, and alfalfa. Upland bird hunting, whitetail deer and turkey are the primary game species pursued. The property also provides good waterfowl hunting and birding opportunities. Cheyenne Bottoms is located 35 minutes south of Wilson Wildlife Area.
Smoky Hill Wildlife Area is a 5,200-acre property located along the Smoky Hill River above Kanopolis Reservoir (3,000 acres). Smoky Hill Wildlife Area is situated in the heart of the Smoky Hill Region with large expanses of native grass prairie with numerous oak/walnut dominated creeks. The Habitat Specialist will have the opportunity to assist with the development and management of the 2,000-acre refuge including multiple wetland units, management of a 1,250-acre grazing lease, and 400 acres of agricultural crop lease.
When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
Category | General / Stewardship, Restoration, Wildlife |
Tags | GIS, Outreach |