MS Habitat Specialist II

Habitat Specialist II – Mississippi (3 Positions)

Location:

Oxford, MS

Final date to receive applications:
Open until filled

Anticipated

Start Date:

January 2025

Overview:
The incumbent will be part of a four‑person team that will conduct 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, and Yalobusha County). This position is 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 and leadership provided by the Quail Forever Mississippi State Coordinator and the MDWFP Private Lands Division Coordinator. This unique project will focus on providing assistance and education to private landowners in the implementation of prescribed fire and other land management practices to benefit wildlife in Northeast Mississippi.

• 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 squirt, chainsaw work, etc.).
• Participate in construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment and 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.

• 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 and 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 applicators license.

• Preference will be given to applicants who have completed some or all of the coursework listed below:

• Introduction to Integrated Conservation Sciences (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 squirt methods.
• One year of experience…