MS Habitat Specialist; Crew Leader

Habitat Specialist – Mississippi (Crew Leader)

Location: Oxford, MS

The incumbent will lead a team of 3 crew members in the completion of 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 with 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.

Lead a team and work with partners to conduct habitat management practices with a focus on prescribed fire, early‑succession management and ecological restoration. The priority work area will be on private and public lands in Northeast Mississippi.

Major responsibilities include:

• Lead the implementation of habitat management work on cooperating private lands as well as public lands that includes but is not limited to prescribed burning, firebreak establishment, native forb/grass establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (hack and squirt, chainsaw work, etc.)
• Oversee and participate in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements used during work.
• Develop prescribed burn plans and serve as Burn Boss during the implementation of prescribed fires 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 but not limited to spring breeding bird surveys, fall covey counts, vegetation surveys, and management of automated recording units (ARU) on private and conservation lands.
• Procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
• Supervise and train a three person habitat crew.
• Accurately track and record team grant deliverables and assist with the completion of reports.
• 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.

• Two years of experience serving on a prescribed fire burn crew
• Experience leading crews in the completion of prescribed burns
• Experience writing prescribed burn plans
• 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 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
• Ability to pass, at minimum, a Light Work Capacity Test (1 mile in 16 minutes, no pack) annually. Increased levels of fitness may be required in…