MS Habitat Specialist II

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever; Oxford (MS); On-site; USD 40,500 - 49,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, and dental insurance

401(k) retirement plan with employer match

Paid time off

Technology stipend

Job summary

A wildlife management organization seeks a full-time MS Habitat Specialist II in Northeast Mississippi. The role focuses on habitat management for wildlife on private and public lands, including prescribed burning and restoration efforts. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and experience in upland habitat management. The position offers a starting salary of $45,000 with comprehensive benefits and requires travel and potential odd hours. Applicants will need to submit their cover letter, resume, and references as part of the online application process.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of environmental, agricultural, and natural resource science.
• Experience with habitat management and restoration work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and landowners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct habitat management work on private and public lands.
• Assist with northern bobwhite quail surveys.
• Maintain fire qualification and participate in training.

Skills

Understanding of environmental science

Upland habitat management

Prescribed fire knowledge

Wildlife ecology

Clear communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management

Tools

Chainsaw

Tractors

Job description

Apply for the MS Habitat Specialist II role at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

Overview

The incumbent will be part of a four‑person team that conducts habitat management work on cooperating private lands and targeted public lands within a designated 15‑county priority geography in Northeast Mississippi (Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Yalobusha). Supported by a partnership between the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and Quail Forever, Inc. (QF), the position is a full‑time employee of Quail Forever and supervised by the Quail Forever Habitat Specialist Crew Leader with instruction from the Quail Forever Mississippi State Coordinator and the MDWFP Private Lands Division Coordinator. The role focuses on assisting and educating private landowners in the implementation of prescribed fire and other land‑management practices to benefit wildlife in Northeast Mississippi.

Duties

• Implement habitat management work on cooperating private lands and public lands, including prescribed burning, firebreak establishment, native forb/grass establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (hack and s‑s‑burn, chainsaw work, etc.).
• Participate in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements used during work.
• Serve as burn crew member on public and private lands.
• Maintain fire qualification and participate in additional trainings as assigned.
• Assist with northern bobwhite quail surveys and other scientific surveys, including spring breeding bird surveys, fall covey counts, vegetation surveys, and management of automated recording units (ARU) on private and conservation lands.
• Assist crew lead to procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best‑management practices and procurement policies.
• Assist crew lead with grant reporting responsibilities.
• Assist with outreach and education efforts.
• Attend/assist with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings.
• Perform other habitat management related duties as assigned.

Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

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.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of upland habitat management and restoration, prescribed fire, and the identification & control of invasive plant species.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management, including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat.
• Safe transportation/hauling of equipment. Ability to safely haul and back trailers.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, landowners, and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Excellent verbal / written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required and a clean driving record.
• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Successful applicant may be required to obtain a CDL or private pesticide applicator license.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Preference will be given to applicants who have completed some or all of the coursework listed below:
• Introduction to Wildland Fire Service (IS‑100.C), Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L180), Firefighter Training (S130), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S190), NIMS: An Introduction (IS‑700.b), Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S212).
• Ability to complete all coursework listed above (training opportunities will be provided).
• One year of experience conducting prescribed burns and/or timber stand improvement using chainsaws or hack and s‑s‑burn methods.
• One year of experience applying herbicides to control undesirable species.

Training and Experience Guideline

Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Applicants who possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or a closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience are preferred. Prescribed fire training and field experience is required. Continued training and professional development opportunities will be provided.

Salary and Benefits

• Starting salary of $45,000.
• Health, vision, dental and more insurance coverage plans available.
• 401(k) Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
• Technology stipend provided.
• Paid time off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees (increasing after 3 years).
• Bereavement/family/sick leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• An employee benefit summary can be found on our Careers page.
• Vehicles and equipment are provided to perform work‑related activities.

Application Requirements

Only online applications will be accepted. Please combine a cover letter, detailed resume, and three references into one MS Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF file. Click the “Attach Resume” button to upload your application package to the “Resume” section of our recruitment website at: www.quailforever.org/jobs.

Contact

Please contact John Mark Curtis, Quail Forever Mississippi State Coordinator at [e-mail] for additional questions.

Pheasants Forever, Inc 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.