SD Habitat Specialist , II, or III

Habitat Specialist I, II, or III

Location:

Mitchell, SD

Final date to receive applications:
Open until filled

Anticipated

Start Date:

January/February 2026

This full‑time position is part of a partnership between South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (SDGFP) and Pheasants Forever, Inc (PF). The incumbent will conduct habitat management work on public wildlife management areas as a full‑time, permanent employee of Pheasants Forever and will receive daily leadership from SDGFP Field Managers. The position will be based at a SDGFP shop location in Mitchell, SD.

The Habitat Specialist will provide technical skills for their fellow habitat specialist crew members and agency partners to positively impact wildlife habitat by restoring and managing grasslands, wetlands, and forests on publicly and owned lands throughout the country. This position will focus on implementing habitat improvement practices including but not limited to grass and shrub plantings, prescribed fire, herbicide, and pesticide application, encroachment removal, and equipment maintenance, all in uneven terrain and remote locations.

• 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).
• Participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities, equipment & implements used during your work.
• Serve as burn crew members on public lands and maintain qualifications and participate in any additional training.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported and entered in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Implement habitat management work on public lands that include but is not limited to herbicide application, burn line construction and prescribed burning, invasive/exotic plant control, native grass/forb establishment, and shrubby cover establishment.
• Assist crew lead to procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
• Participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities, equipment & implements used during your work.
• Assist with grant reporting duties in conjunction with collaborating organizations.
• Serve as burn crew members on public and private lands and maintain qualifications and participate in any additional training.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported and entered in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Implement habitat management work on public lands that include but is not limited to herbicide application, burn line construction and prescribed burning, invasive/exotic plant control, native grass/forb establishment, shrubby cover establishment.
• Co‑lead the procurement supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
• Co‑lead the construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities, equipment & implements used during your work.
• Assist with grant reporting duties in conjunction with collaborating organizations.
• Serve as burn crew lead or members on public land and maintain qualifications and participate in any additional training.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported and entered in a timely manner.
• Participating in training and evaluation of seasonal employees (if applicable).
• Assist or lead the hiring of other crew members and seasonal employees.
• Supervise invoicing, implementation and implementation planning.
• Where applicable responsible for pre‑planning and prioritizing the work schedule for the crew.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Has some experience conducting upland habitat management, prescribed burning, operating tractors, and agricultural implements (disking, mowing, planting food…