About the Organization:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conserves birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and stewardship. Our work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond. We advance our mission through sound science, achieved through empowering people, realized through stewardship and sustained through cross-border collaborations. We monitor and identify population trends, research habitat needs, engage landowners and managers in wildlife and habitat stewardship, and inspire audiences of all ages to be better stewards of the land. Together, we are improving native bird populations, the land, and the lives of people. Learn more about our work and programs at our website: www.birdconservancy.org

About the position:

Position Overview

The Private Lands Wildlife Biologist (PLWB) program is a partnership among the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) program, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (Bird Conservancy) focused on delivering wildlife conservation programs on private lands in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The program provides technical resources to landowners and other land managers to more fully incorporate wildlife conservation on their private lands. By integrating Bird Conservancy technical resources with NRCS and partner funding mechanisms and technical capacities, the PLWB partnership supports a collaborative and human-focused approach to private lands conservation. The PLWB will implement this work on agricultural lands, grassland, and wetland/riparian communities and focus on providing technical assistance that complements landowner objectives and enhances and restores bird and other wildlife habitat. Special emphasis will be placed on implementing programs utilizing Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (SWFL) Initiative resources and targeting projects in riparian habitat that supports SWFL conservation. There is considerable opportunity to engage landowners in the southern part of the valley, where the private land ownership is extensive (>90%) and where Hispanic/Latino culture and language is integrated into the conservation context. Currently, the Bird Conservancy PLWB partnership operates in six western states (Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana) and Mexico (Chihuahua). PLWBs succeed through direct and meaningful relationships with landowners and supported by NRCS incentives provided through US Farm Bill and other habitat enhancement programs. This position will be located in the San Luis Valley of Colorado (Alamosa filed office preferred) and will require travel throughout the region. This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as part of a team involving agency personnel, wildlife biologists, funding partners, and individual landowners that strive to identify priority conservation landscapes, design and implement habitat enhancement projects, and deliver community education and outreach programs.
• Prioritize habitat improvement and enhancement projects within wetland/riparian systems (especially those supporting SWFL) that benefit a suite of bird species of concern.
• Enroll privately owned lands into the USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs by utilizing partnership efforts such as CPW, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (USFWS-PFW) and others.
• Assist landowners with NRCS and partner programs for wetland easements, with the installation of restoration practices and monitoring of these easements as required by program policy.
• Complete conservation plans, job sheets, wildlife habitat evaluation guides, environmental evaluations, and other required documentation for Farm Bill Conservation Programs. This includes providing technical and programmatic support, including recommending management prescriptions for wildlife conservation efforts, to NRCS and their clients.
• Develop and sustain cooperative working relationships with landowners, conservation groups and other resource professionals.
• Use critical thinking to develop and implement conservation projects and habitat enhancement efforts targeting priority landscapes as outlined in various conservation plans (e.g. Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan, Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan, etc.).
• Coordinate and participate in fieldwork activities for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats.
• Develop technical proficiency in conservation planning and agency business tools.
• Manage existing habitat projects by monitoring, status reviews, and prescribing management activities.
• Identify, develop and provide formal wildlife and conservation trainings and products to landowners and other stakeholders for information and outreach.
• Assist partner agency and other collaborators in conducting biological assessment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Bird Conservancy or NRCS.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Deep and practical understanding of habitat restoration, ecology and land management with emphasis on upland birds, including sagebrush and grassland species.
• Knowledge of northwestern Colorado flora and fauna.
• Working knowledge of rangeland health and management.
• Knowledge and confidence to implement wildlife habitat projects on a landscape scale.
• Working knowledge of US Farm Bill programs.
• Ability and desire to work with a diverse group of people including state, federal, and non-governmental resource professionals, agricultural producers and other community representatives. Special consideration will be given to local applicants with Spanish language speaking skills.
• Motivated self-starter who is comfortable working independently under remote supervision.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Valid state driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the landscape on a regular basis, often to remote locations in inclement weather or adverse conditions.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Willingness to perform administrative work in a controlled environment/office setting.
• Working knowledge of MS Office and GIS software is desirable.

Required education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree (M.S. preferred) in a conservation field (e.g. wildlife biology, ecology, human dimensions of natural resources, rangeland ecology, etc.).