Private Lands Ecologist & Habitat Restoration Lead

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Frankfort (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Kentucky's Ecological Services Field Office seeks a Fish and Wildlife Biologist to lead private land conservation projects and ecological investigations across Kentucky.

The role emphasizes collaboration with partners, developing plans, budgeting, and providing technical guidance to staff and stakeholders to advance habitat restoration and species recovery.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex private land conservation projects from initiation through completion, including developing timelines, coordinating activities, collaborating with partners, documenting progress, and ensuring deliverables meet scientific, regulatory, and program standards.
• Plan, lead, and conduct ecological investigations on diverse and complex private lands across Kentucky, assessing impacts and opportunities for fish and wildlife conservation—particularly for threatened, endangered, candidate, and SWAP species and habitats.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement statewide private lands conservation initiatives and step-down strategic plans, including workload distribution, funding priorities, and program direction to advance habitat restoration and species recovery.
• Maintain, strengthen, and expand collaborative partnerships with private landowners and conservation partners, effectively communicating Service priorities, program goals, and scientific findings through written and oral communications to diverse audiences.
• Inspect private land conservation projects for compliance with policies, guidelines, agreements, and conservation plans, prepare recommendations to ensure adherence and improve conservation outcomes.
• Coordinate budgets, strategic planning, cooperative agreements, and reporting requirements to support efficient program operations and the implementation of private land conservation actions.
• Provide technical assistance, guidance, and mentorship to staff and partners engaged in private land conservation, strengthening statewide capacity to implement habitat restoration and species recovery actions.

Job description

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Kentucky's Ecological Services Field Office seeks a Fish and Wildlife Biologist to lead private land conservation projects and ecological investigations across Kentucky.

The role emphasizes collaboration with partners, developing plans, budgeting, and providing technical guidance to staff and stakeholders to advance habitat restoration and species recovery.