Regional Biologist II (Fergus Falls, MN)

Regional Biologist II – Fergus Falls, Minnesota Ducks Unlimited is seeking an experienced wildlife biologist or natural resource specialist to join our Minnesota Team.
The successful candidate will use their wetland and waterfowl habitat knowledge, experience, and expertise to help initiate, develop, manage, coordinate, and lead on-the-ground habitat conservation activities as part of DU’s growing prairie pothole wetland conservation programs in west central Minnesota from office space in the US Fish and Wildlife Service Fergus Falls Wetland Management District Office.
Duties and Responsibilities: This position identifies, develops, and delivers prairie and wetland enhancement and restoration in west central Minnesota on federal Waterfowl Production Areas and United States Fish and Wildlife Service easements.
This position will help develop new projects to implement DU’s Living Lakes Initiative conservation plan and strategies.
This position is responsible for project budget management, public grant proposal development and administration, and managing private contractors.
This position reports to DU’s Senior Regional Biologist in Minnesota.
Specific Duties: • Coordinate work between DU and USFWS to manage and deliver on the ground habitat projects in west central Minnesota.
• Lead a growing team of field biologists in west central Minnesota to deliver wetland and prairie enhancement and restoration.
• Develop and review scopes of work for wetland and prairie enhancement and restoration.
• Oversee construction of prairie and wetland enhancement and restoration to ensure contractor compliance with restoration and enhancement designs plans, including project contracting, one-on-one contractor management and payment processing.
• Help manage project budgets and timelines.
• Assist DU land acquisition efforts in west central Minnesota, including restoration of those lands.
Qualifications: Experience and Education: Must have a Bachelor of Science in wildlife or a related field from an accredited university.
A Master of Science degree in a natural resource field is preferred, ideally focused on waterfowl, wildlife, wetlands, and/or prairie.
At least five years of professional conservation work experience is required, with knowledge of prairie and wetland habitat restoration planning and delivery.
Communication Skills: Requires effective communication and coordination skills both internally with DU staff and externally with private landowners and conservation partners.
Must have excellent relationship building skills.
Must be able to communicate critically when required including managing various personalities and challenging contractors.
Technological Proficiency: Desirable qualifications include experience with ArcGIS Pro, Trimble surveying equipment, basic restoration design, project management, and budget management.
Knowledge of AutoCAD and engineering design techniques, while not required, would be beneficial.
Interpersonal Skills: Must be a people person who is initiative-taking, outgoing, goal oriented, and able to work with and solve problems in close team-based relationships and with private contractors.
Schedule: This is a full-time, salaried position.
Working hours will be a balance of office and field work, with the approximate allocation dependent on scheduling, seasonal priorities, and other factors.
The position is office-based with frequent travel required in west central Minnesota.
Outdoor field work, sometimes in inclement weather, may require physical exertion or lifting as needed.
HOW TO APPLY: Internal Candidates- log into https://workforcenow.
adp.
com with your employee credentials, click MYSELF, TALENT, CAREER CENTER and follow the prompts to APPLY.
External Candidates- Please fill out the application materials on this link: www.
ducks.
org/jobs and attach a cover letter and resume with at least three professional references.
Please direct any questions regarding application materials to DU Human Resources careers@ducks.
org The position will remain open until September 22, 2023.
SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE Starting salary range of $70,000 - $85,000, commensurate with education and experience.
We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day.
DU offers an exceptional benefit package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC.
IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.