MO Habitat Specialist III - Crew Lead

Habitat Specialist III – Crew Lead

Farmington, Missouri

Final date to receive applications:
March 6, 2026

Anticipated

Start Date:

April 1, 2026

Starting Salary: $46,000 – $50,000, Commensurate with experience. Annual merit increase + Full Health Benefits and Retirement Package (please see our benefits summary on our recruitment website below)

This position is part of a partnership between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), Quail Forever (QF), US Forest Service (FS), and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Under the direction of these partners, the crew lead and (4) habitat specialist crew members (technicians) will conduct habitat management work on cooperating private land (including non-governmental conservation partner lands) and targeted public lands within designated priority geographies.

This position is for a full-time, permanent employee of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever with a minimum of three years of funding. This new and unique partnership will allow for varied field duties including prescribed fire, seed collection, natural community identification and management, invasive species control, crew leadership, and project coordination among multiple conservation organizations.

• Implement habitat management work on cooperating private landowners as well as public lands that include but is not limited to edge feathering, herbicide application, burn line construction and prescribed burning, invasive/exotic plant control, native grass/forb establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (hack and squirt or chainsaw method).
• Procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices.
• Coordinate project prioritization and schedules.
• Management of four habitat specialist crew members.
• Provide habitat management technical assistance and information to landowners.
• Assist with grant reporting duties in conjunction with collaborating organizations.
• Serve as burn crew member on public lands and/or burn boss for prescribed fires on private lands.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported and entered on time.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

• A solid understanding of environmental, ecological, and/or natural resource science. Education may be substituted for experience determined by the partners to be relevant. Preference will be given to candidates with bachelor’s degrees with an emphasis in ecology, forestry, or wildlife management.
• At least one year of experience conducting upland habitat management, prescribed burning, operating tractors and agricultural implements (disking, mowing, fire line creation, etc.), identification and control of invasive species and other undesired vegetation.
• Safe transportation/hauling of equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• 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.
• Ability to successfully pass an arduous pack test annually.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Applicant may be required to obtain a CDL and/or private pesticide applicators license.
• Firefighter Type 2, Wildland Fire Chainsaws (S-212) or equivalent.

• Two years of proven experience in managing a work team.
• Two years of experience conducting prescribed burns.
• Firefighter Type 1 or single resource boss.
• S-219 Firing Operations, S-211 Wildland Pumps, S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior, demonstrated experience with suppression and safe prescribed fire tactics in various Midwest fuel models.
• Two years of experience using mechanical or chemical methods for controlling invasive species.
• Two years of experience operating and maintaining four-wheel drive vehicles and small…