Overview

This position will work for a partnership that includes BLM-MT and Pheasants Forever.  It will be located in the Lewistown BLM field office and will be direct employees of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. This is a full-time position with funding secured for 2 years with the possibility of extending the term of the position pending additional funding being secured.

This position will provide avian and ecological surveys on sage grouse and sagebrush for the partnership and will work to identify opportunities to improve access to and through private land into land locked BLM and other public land holdings. In both roles the person in this position will work closely with BLM permittees and local landowners to complete survey work and increasing public access to private and public lands. This program will assist BLM biologists by providing quality survey reports and analysis if survey results, work to deliver BLM, and other programs that increase public access, write grants, and seek new partners and funding for conservation and/or access projects, and work with the partnership to promote wildlife conservation goals and objectives. All work will be consistent with and directed to achieve conservation goals of all cooperating partners involved with this position.

Duties:

• Works with BLM staff to conduct sage grouse lek and habitat surveys and provide professional survey reports and analysis of survey data for BLM use in management decisions.
• Working with all the partners, identify opportunities to increase access to private and public lands. This includes but is not limited to working with landowners to secure right-of way easements, public access agreements, access easements, and informing landowners about other programs designed to improve public access. Assist with the delivery and administration of the above mentions programs as appropriate, and work with counties, cities, and other local governmental entities to identify public access into public lands.
• Works with landowners, lessees, farmers, and ranchers to foster strong relationships, to conduct biological survey, discuss public access opportunities and challenges, and incorporate wildlife concerns into the planning and implementation of ranch operations.
• Works collaboratively with local BLM and other partners to provide wildlife expertise, survey expertise, and expertise on identifying potential access issues.
• Works with local BLM staff to identify project sites for possible agreements with private landowners to enhance public access into private and public lands.
• Provides staff support in developing required documentation for survey and project compliance (NEPA, ESA, EA, FWP Commission Documentation, etc).
• Conducts wildlife and wildlife habitat surveys.
• Uses technical equipment such as GIS, GPS, computers, etc.
• Presents information to partners, landowners, technical meetings, and public information opportunities.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Montana wildlife species and their habitats, specifically sage grouse and sagebrush habitats, strong plant identification skills, experience working with ranchers and farmers, experience delivering public access and/or wildlife conservation programs, project management skills, and the ability to effectively coordinate, cooperate, and communicate with private landowners and agencies as an advocate for conservation wildlife habitat and wildlife populations and the importance of public access. Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel and GIS (ARCGIS) is desirable.

Training and Experience Guideline:

Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife or range science or closely related field from an accredited college or university, and two years of professional experience in wildlife research or wildlife management. A graduate degree in a wildlife science or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.