Forest Wildlife Specialist

Kate on Conservation; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement options with employer

Job summary

Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) seeks a Forest Wildlife Specialist to lead landscape-scale conservation planning with the U.S. Forest Service and partners.

You will turn shared priorities into habitat improvements, focusing on Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks across the Manistee portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. You will independently coordinate partners, analyze forest landscapes, and move two planning efforts to completion by 2027, guiding habitat

Qualifications

• Degree in forestry, wildlife ecology, wildlife management, or a closely related field.
• Working knowledge of forest ecology, wildlife habitat management, and active forest management principles.
• Ability to independently perform GIS landscape analysis, interpret spatial datasets, and produce practical maps.
• Experience coordinating projects or planning efforts involving multiple partners or organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, initiative, and ability to manage deadlines independently.
• Ability and willingness to conduct occasional field assessments in remote terrain and variable weather.

Responsibilities

• Lead Dynamic Forest Restoration Block (DFRB) planning and coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service and partners.
• Use GIS to assess landscape conditions, forest age classes, habitat needs, and restoration opportunities; create maps of priority treatment areas.
• Develop planning documents with objectives, proposed treatments, cost estimates and implementation approaches with partner input.
• Build support among partners and chapters for landscape restoration priorities and future on-the-ground conservation.
• Oversee non-stewardship wildlife habitat, invasive species, and forest restoration projects with scopes, budgets and schedules.
• Monitor progress, ensure compliance with funding requirements, and coordinate bidding/contracting as needed.
• Track milestones, GIS data, expenditures; report progress to stakeholders and prepare grant proposals.
• Attend to contingency planning and adapt plans toward December 31, 2027 delivery.

Skills

GIS analysis

Wildlife habitat management

Project coordination

Communication

Field assessments

Education

Forestry / Wildlife related degree

Tools

GIS software

Job description

Forest Wildlife Specialist

Organization: Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS)
Location: Flexible within the Huron-Manistee area; Baldwin Ranger District Office or remote office
Region: Eastern Great Lakes
Employment: Full-time, ongoing, contingent on continued funding
Salary: $44,000–$68,000 annually
Outreach opens: October 28, 2026
Outreach closes: November 27, 2026, or until filled
Supervisor: Zach Evans, Eastern Great Lakes Forest Conservation Director

Help Shape the Future of Michigan’s Forests

RGS & AWS is seeking a Forest Wildlife Specialist to lead landscape-scale conservation planning with the U.S. Forest Service and partners, and help turn shared priorities into meaningful habitat improvements.

Why This Role Matters

RGS & AWS and its partners are developing Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks (DFRBs) to identify and prioritize forest restoration opportunities across the Manistee portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. One DFRB plan is already drafted, and other planning areas need attention. The specialist will independently coordinate partners, analyze forest landscapes, and move two plans to completion by December 31, 2027. These plans will guide habitat restoration and future implementation opportunities.

The role involves conservation planning, collaboration with U.S. Forest Service staff, local chapters, and conservation organizations, and projects intended to improve forests and habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and other wildlife.

ResponsibilitiesDynamic Forest Restoration Block Planning — Approximately 65%

• Independently coordinate DFRB planning schedules, partner meetings, and day-to-day development with U.S. Forest Service personnel and conservation partners.
• Use GIS to assess landscape conditions, forest age classes, habitat needs, and restoration opportunities; create clear maps of priority treatment areas.
• Develop planning documents with conservation objectives, proposed treatments, cost estimates, and implementation approaches, incorporating partner review and feedback.
• Build support among partners and RGS & AWS chapters for landscape restoration priorities and future on-the-ground conservation activities.

First-year outcome:

Complete the existing drafted DFRB within six months of hire and finish two technically complete, partner-reviewed DFRB plans by December 31, 2027. Plans should include mapped priorities, treatment recommendations, estimated costs, and implementation strategies.

Non-Stewardship Wildlife Habitat Implementation — Approximately 25%

• Plan and deliver assigned non-commercial wildlife habitat, invasive species, and forest restoration projects supported by non-stewardship agreements.
• Prepare scopes, prescriptions, cost estimates, budgets, and schedules; coordinate eligible bidding and contracting activities.
• Monitor contractors, inspect project results, document treated acres, and ensure work meets approved specifications and funding requirements.

Project Reporting and Coordination — Approximately 10%

• Track planning milestones, GIS data, project expenditures, and conservation accomplishments; submit required reports on time.
• Communicate decisions, progress, and obstacles with RGS & AWS staff, U.S. Forest Service colleagues, conservation partners, and chapters.
• Develop and manage assigned conservation agreements and prepare proposals to solicit grant funding for landscape-scale planning and wildlife habitat restoration.

Assigned habitat implementation targets will be established from approved agreement deliverables. This position does not own timber sale operations or all projects emerging from DFRB plans.

QualificationsRequired

• Degree in forestry, wildlife ecology, wildlife management, or a closely related field.
• Working knowledge of forest ecology, wildlife habitat management, and active forest management principles.
• Ability to independently perform GIS landscape analysis, interpret spatial datasets, and produce practical maps.
• Experience coordinating projects or planning efforts involving multiple partners or organizations.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, initiative, and ability to manage deadlines independently.
• Ability and willingness to conduct occasional field assessments in remote terrain and variable weather.

Preferred Experience

• Forest management, wildlife habitat, or landscape-scale conservation planning experience.
• Familiarity with early-successional habitat, age-class diversity, ruffed grouse, and American woodcock.
• Experience with the U.S. Forest Service, state natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, or chapter engagement.
• Experience facilitating partner meetings, preparing treatment specifications, managing contractors, or tracking grant-funded budgets.

Candidates do not need every preferred qualification. Qualified applicants at different career stages are welcome, particularly those with strong GIS abilities, sound ecological knowledge, and initiative to learn and lead.

Work Environment and Benefits

The position serves the Manistee portion of the Huron-Manistee National Forest and is based out of the Baldwin Ranger District Office, with flexibility to live within the broader Huron-Manistee area. The role involves approximately 25% fieldwork and 75% office-based GIS analysis, planning, coordination, and reporting, with some schedule flexibility and regular office requirements.

Salary is $44,000–$68,000 depending on qualifications, experience, and organizational needs. Benefits include paid time off; medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement options with employer contribution; a work vehicle or approved mileage reimbursement depending on availability; a purchasing card for authorized expenses; and necessary computer, phone, and office equipment. Professional training and development may be available based on role needs and resources.

Employment is contingent upon verification of eligibility to work in the United States (E-Verify). This is a full-time, ongoing position subject to continued funding. RGS & AWS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.