Habitat Specialist – Mississippi (Crew Leader)
Table of Contents
Location: Oxford, MS
Submission Deadline: Open until filled
Anticipated Start Date: January 2025
Overview:
The Habitat Specialist will lead a team of 3 crew members in habitat management work on private and public lands within a 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 a full-time role with Quail Forever, Inc. (QF), in partnership with the Mississippi department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).The project focuses on assisting and educating private landowners in implementing prescribed fire and other land management practices to benefit wildlife in Northeast Mississippi.
Duties:
Lead a team and collaborate with partners to conduct habitat management practices, with a focus on prescribed fire, early-succession management, and ecological restoration on private and public lands in Northeast Mississippi.
Major responsibilities include:
* Leading the implementation of 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 enhancement (hack and squirt, chainsaw work, etc.).
* Overseeing and participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements used during work.
* Developing prescribed burn plans and serving as Burn Boss during the implementation of prescribed fires on public and private lands.
* Maintaining fire qualification and participating in additional trainings as assigned.
* Assisting 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.
* Procuring supplies and equipment following Pheasants forever and Quail forever best management practices and procurement policies.
* Supervising and training a three-person habitat crew.
* Accurately tracking and recording team grant deliverables and assisting with the completion of reports.
* Assisting with outreach and education efforts.
* Attending/Assisting with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings.
* Performing other habitat management related duties as assigned.
* The job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
* 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.
quail Forever Mississippi Habitat Specialist Crew Leader Position – Oxford, Mississippi
Quail Forever is seeking a motivated and experienced Habitat Specialist Crew Leader to join their team in Oxford, Mississippi. This position focuses on implementing habitat improvement practices on private lands to benefit quail and other wildlife.The role involves leading a crew in various conservation projects, coordinating with landowners, and ensuring projects are completed to high standards.
Job Overview
The Habitat Specialist Crew Leader is responsible for the successful implementation of habitat management practices, primarily on private lands within Mississippi. This position requires a strong work ethic, leadership skills, and a commitment to conservation. Vehicles and equipment will be provided for work-related activities.
Responsibilities
While the provided text doesn’t detail specific responsibilities, similar roles at Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever typically include:
* Leading and supervising a field crew in habitat improvement projects.
* Implementing practices such as prescribed burning, timber stand improvement, native grass planting, and food plot establishment.
* Coordinating with landowners to develop and implement habitat management plans.
* Maintaining equipment and ensuring safe working conditions.
* Tracking project progress and reporting results.
* Assisting with monitoring wildlife populations.
Qualifications
The provided text does not list specific qualifications.However, based on similar positions with Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever, candidates should possess:
* A high school diploma or equivalent is required; a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, forestry, or a related field is preferred.
* Experience leading work crews and managing projects.
* knowledge of habitat management practices for quail and other wildlife.
* Ability to operate and maintain equipment such as tractors, ATVs, and chainsaws.
* Strong dialog and interpersonal skills.
* Valid driver’s licence.
* Prescribed Burn Certification is a plus.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply online. Please combine a cover letter, detailed resume, and three references into a single MS Word document or adobe Acrobat PDF file. Upload your application package to the “Resume” section of the Quail Forever Recruitment website: http://www.quailforever.org/jobs.
Contact Information
For additional questions regarding this position, please contact John mark Curtis, Quail Forever Mississippi state Coordinator, at jcurtis@quailforever.org.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pheasants Forever,inc. (the parent organization of Quail Forever) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that might potentially be protected by law.
Key takeaways
* Position: Habitat Specialist Crew Leader
* Location: Oxford, Mississippi
* Organization: Quail Forever
* Application Method: Online only via http://www.quailforever.org/jobs
* Contact: John Mark Curtis at jcurtis@quailforever.org
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