Employment opportunities

Job Classification: Resource Manager – contractual (Forestry)
Number of Positions: 1
Work Region: Statewide (Maine)
Employer: Wildlife Management Institute (For Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife)

Introduction

The Lands Program with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife manages 120,000 acres from southern York County to northern Aroostook County for the development, maintenance and enhancement of wildlife habitat. The Department has an agreement with the Wildlife Management Institute to conduct forest management for the promotion of wildlife habitat. As such, the Wildlife Management Institute and the Department intend to fill one Resource Manager position to accomplish the goals of the agreement. The position will be a limited full time position for a term of one year with the potential for additional 1 year term extensions.

Minimum Qualifications

At a minimum, this position requires a bachelor’s degree in forestry, preferably from an accredited university.

Job Description

The selected candidate will be responsible for the following:

Work with Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife personnel to develop and implement habitat management and utilization plans on Wildlife Management Areas throughout the state. The incumbent designs, develops, prepares and implements habitat management plans for forested and non-forested wildlife habitats; assists with identifying, evaluating, and mapping of important wildlife habitats; distinguishes various types of wildlife habitat and species relevance; cruises and evaluates habitat potential; estimates timber volume: inspects and oversees contractor performance of harvesting practices for habitat development and enhancement in accordance with Department standards, policies and Maine law; designs and oversees development of access roads within the Wildlife Management Areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Theoretical and practical knowledge of silviculture, silvics, forest mensuration, wildlife management, habitat development and enhancement activities, forest pathology and entomology, soils and geographic information systems.

Must be able to: use forest measurement equipment, read and understand maps, communicate effectively, understand applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations; develop and implement forest resource plans according to habitat management objectives, use GPS, computers and related equipment, and use snowmobiles and ATVs for off road travel. Occasional overnight travel is expected as well as the ability to work and stay in remote locations.

Benefits

Salary: $46,849.40/yr. for 1924 hours per year and a salary adjustment

A minimum contribution of 3 percent of the salary amount, with up to 8 percent possible, will be made to a 401k retirement account. Health, dental and vision insurance benefits are available.

Lodging for any overnight work-related projects will either be provided or expenses reimbursed. The successful candidate will be provided with a vehicle and equipment.

The successful candidate must qualify for forester internship though the Maine Board of Licensure for Foresters.

The position will remain open until filled.

Please provide a copy of your resume and a work history description. Feel free to contact the Lands Management Biologist with any questions you may have about the position.

Leigh E. Hoar III (Eric)
Lands Management Biologist
Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
270 Lyons Road
Sidney, Maine 04330
207.592.0109
leigh.e.hoar@maine.gov

Application Deadline: Open until filled, preference will be given to applications submitted by May 31, 2024
Location: NRCS Field Office Eugene, Oregon, or NRCS State Office Portland, Oregon. Option to telework within Oregon negotiable.
Salary:$60,000-65,000 per year, depending on experience

Overview

This opportunity is part of a new collaborative effort between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV), and Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) to accelerate land conservation through the NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). The incumbent will serve as part of the Oregon NRCS conservation easement team. The position will advance wetland conservation throughout Oregon by assisting with, technical tasks, administrative tasks, and ACEP-WRE outreach with direction from the Oregon NRCS Easement Program Specialist.

Duties

• Assist NRCS Basin Easement Staff with development and implementation of Wetland Reserve Plan of Operations (WRPO).
• Opportunities to apply wetland conservation on private land.
• Provide technical support to NRCS Basin Easement Specialists and ACRP-WRE landowners with various activities associated with implementation of ACEP-WRE.
• Effectively use NRCS contracting and planning software (NRCS Conservation Desktop, etc.) to plan and implement wetland restoration and related conservation practices on ACEP-WRE enrolled parcels.
• Assist with administrative procedures of new ACEP-WRE applications and pre-obligation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned; including strategic program planning, partnership coordination, and assisting NRCS staff across Oregon with ACEP related activities.
• Coordinate ACEP-WRE outreach. Work closely with NRCS staff and conservation partners to boost ACEP-WRE enrollment.
• Travel for trainings, meetings and on-site project visits.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively with private landowners, government agency personnel and conservation partner organizations.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to work cooperatively with diverse clientele.
• Knowledge of wetland ecology.
• Ability to obtain USDA Security Clearance.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• A general qualification guideline for this position is a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in natural resource planning, wildlife biology/management or ecology and related conservation work experience.
• Computer skills are required, and the applicant should be familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability, or willingness to learn, NRCS Conservation Desktop and other NRCS planning and contracting systems.

About the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

The NRCS helps private landowners, soil and water conservation districts, and other partners protect and conserve natural resources on private lands throughout the United States. With approximately 2,300 Service Centers in communities nationwide, NRCS and other USDA employees work side-by-side with producers in every State and territory.

About the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV)

The IWJV mission is to conserve and enhance bird habitats at meaningful scales through capacity building, science, communications, and strategic partnerships. The funds for this position contributed by the IWJV are primarily of federal origin, managed through Cooperative Agreements with the hiring entity (WMI).

About the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI)

The successful applicant will be an employee of WMI. WMI is a professional conservation organization that works to improve the foundation of wildlife management. Their mission is: “dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and professional management of North America’s wildlife and other natural resources.”

Supervision

The position is fully integrated into Oregon NRCS’s easement team to accelerate the pace of private land conservation. Daily activities will be supervised by the designated NRCS staff lead. The successful applicant will participate in annual job performance reviews with the IWJV Water 4 Coordinator and NRCS.

Benefits and Additional Information

WMI offers health insurance for the employee and employee’s spouse and children, 401(k) retirement benefits, workers’ compensation, general liability protection, professional liability protection and unemployment insurance benefits.

To Apply

Send a cover letter that describes your conservation skills and interest in wetlands and conservation easements, a resume, and three references with contact information.

Email

Send application materials to kasey.bader@iwjv.org with the subject line “Oregon ACEP-WRE Biologist" by the application deadline.