The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is seeking a term (3 year with possibility of extension) Habitat Partnership Coordinator (Coordinator) to work with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) on high priority habitat projects in Utah. The Coordinator will have a home office and will be required to live in Utah, with a preference to NE or Central Utah (Price, Vernal, etc.) within 2 hours of Salt Lake City. The position will report directly to the MDF Director of Conservation (Director) and have substantial coordination with DWR staff. The position will work closely with MDF and DWR staff, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), MDF conservation partners, and other local stakeholders to identify, plan, and implement habitat projects within Utah through the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative. Potential work outside of Utah could be available pending funding and capacity. Coordinator will provide project planning, project management, agreement and contract management, and program development support to work associated with habitat project implementation. The Coordinator is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing collaborative stewardship and conservation programs in Utah, while working with local stakeholders including local communities, conservation NGOs, federal and state agencies, and private sector partners to support strategic initiatives and long-term goals of the MDF and the DWR.
Responsibilities
The MDF Habitat Coordinator is responsible for:
- Develop and implement projects described within the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative (https://watershed.utah.gov/), including but not limited to: vegetation treatments, prescribed burning, water projects, and monitoring that benefit mule deer and a multitude of wildlife species.
- Create specific individual projects on behalf of MDF or partners to be submitted for consideration and funding from the WRI, which may be carried out through, but not limited to, separate funded agreements and/or contracts as decided and agreed to by both parties.
- Participate with regional WRI meetings/events and lead efforts to identify best projects and locations for mule deer conservation for which the WRI can provide assistance.
- Serve as project lead to oversee project design and coordinate the implementation of those projects completing follow-up monitoring and reporting when required.
- Provide internal coordination with MDF, DWR, and other MDF partner’s staff.
- Organize the pieces to complete implementation of projects.
- Complete implementation when applicable and capable.
- Submit follow-up reporting documentation.
- Build community support for habitat projects.
- Secure additional funding through Mule Deer Foundation or other partner networks.
Essential Duties
- Build and maintain close and mutually beneficial collaborative relationships among federal and state land management agencies, NGO partners, and MDF partners to implement effective landscape scale conservation and stewardship partnerships’
- Develop scope of work for stewardship and conservation projects in Utah, which occur across various land ownerships and land uses.
- Coordinate with DWR, USFS, BLM and other partner staff to develop, modify, manage, and track all aspects (including budgets, contracting mechanisms, and accomplishments) of habitat projects associated with habitat projects (e.g., hand thinning, mechanical thinning, mastication, biomass removal, prescribed fire, etc.) that benefit mule deer and other wildlife.
- Ensure timely and accurate monthly administrative and financial obligation actions including invoicing and reporting efforts, including identifying and executing necessary amendments, for contracts and grant-funded stewardship work.
- Build new partnerships to strengthen MDF and DWR ability to support on-the-ground restoration and enhancement projects that benefit conserve natural systems and expand outdoor experiences.
- Maintain a breadth of knowledge about current and emerging issues, policy development, and innovations in the field of stewardship activity and conservation programming to enhance MDF program effectiveness.
Education and Qualifications
- Education: Minimum of an undergraduate degree in natural resources field (wildlife, conservation, forestry, environmental science, or related field).
- Work Experience: At least five years of work experience managing habitat projects, or similar conservation programs, including project planning, and/or project implementation, preferably on state or federal lands (preference will be given to work associated with forestry and habitat projects).
- Project Management: Experience managing project planning and implementation that involves multiple organizations, stakeholder teams, and funders, including experience managing grants and/or contracts, project budgets and timelines, contractor oversight and compliance monitoring, and reporting and invoicing requirements.
- Project Coordination: Experience in project planning and implementation activities that involve multiple partners and diverse scopes of work.
- Outreach and Engagement: Experience with community outreach and education efforts about land management, wildfire mitigation, restoration, forest health, or other conservation-related topics across diverse stakeholders are preferred.
- Agreement/Contract Management: Experience working with state wildlife agencies, U.S. Forest Service, BLM, or other federal agency agreements, on habitat project such as or similar to Stewardship Agreements and Challenge Cost Share Agreements, or other contracts to implement habitat projects.
- Land and Watershed Management: Experience with land and watershed science, policy, and management, including forest restoration, forest health, fire science, vegetation management, wildlife conservation, and/or meadow and stream restoration.
- A strong understanding of natural resource issues in Utah and the Intermountain West.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills.
- Strong writing skills and public speaking experience.
Abilities and Skills
- Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions.
- Ability and willingness to work independently, work in outdoor conditions, and maintain a flexible work schedule if needed.
- Ability to work well and be flexible in a team-oriented environment.
- Ability to represent MDF in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills; and
- A strong attention to detail, with skill in working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
Salary/Benefits – $70 – 80K, DOE. Health Insurance and 401K
Application Deadline: June 30, 2021, tentative starting date is August 1, 2021 Location: NE or central UT, within 2 hours of SLC
To Apply: Please send a brief cover letter and resume to MDF at UTjob@muledeer.org with the subject line: “Application for UT MDF Habitat Partnership Coordinator”.
Successful candidate will be required to pass a background check and drug test as condition of employment with MDF.
MDF is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace.
