Position Overview: The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV), Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and other local and state partners are seeking applicants to fulfill a shared partnership position for NW Colorado to enhance collaborator’s ability to conserve sagebrush rangelands. The incumbent’s responsibility will be to increase the delivery and implementation of conservation efforts of the BLM and collaborative partners across Northwest Colorado. This position will provide range & wildlife technical assistance, coordination and support for collaborative conservation, management, and restoration efforts in crucial sagebrush steppe habitat for lands managed by the BLM Grand Junction and White River Field Offices as well as adjacent private and state lands. This position will be an employee of the Mule Deer Foundation with daily instruction and leadership provided by the Colorado BLM Sage-Grouse Coordinator. The primary duty station will be located in Grand Junction, CO with travel required throughout northwest Colorado. This position is a full-time, 3-year term position.
Duties, Roles, and Responsibilities:
- Assist with landscape-level conservation planning, project prioritization, and project support to the BLM and partners.
- Strengthen existing partnerships and increase project coordination while engaging and bringing on board new partners to continue to build a collaborative network.
- Provide technical assistance in planning and wildlife ecology / habitat conservation and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and others.
- Coordinate integration and application of biological sciences, management plans, operational plans, and other plans providing prioritization for wildlife and other resource concerns within the local partnership group in cooperation with the local BLM district & field office staff and partners.
- Coordinate with BLM specialists, partners, stakeholders, and private landowners/permittees on landscape-level conservation planning, habitat improvement projects, and project prioritization.
- Participate as a member of the BLM interdisciplinary team to assist completion of land health assessments, rangeland monitoring, habitat monitoring, and completion of grazing permit renewals.
- Assist BLM specialists in writing and reviewing land health assessments, biological assessments, environmental assessments, and mitigation plans.
- Provide rangeland and wildlife conservation focus when planning with BLM, permittees, private landowners, state agencies, and NGOs.
- Coordinate with range specialists and permittees on range improvement projects and permit renewal needs.
- Provide guidance and conservation planning for managing sage-grouse and big game habitat areas and migration corridors.
- Prepare, organize, and analyze data and information for interdisciplinary teams on various projects such as habitat restoration or land health assessments.
- Conduct outreach, coordination, and relationship-building with area permittees, private landowners, state agencies, NGOs, conservation districts, local working groups, and others to build partnership capacity. Examples could include field tours, presentations, workshops, or meeting attendance.
- Develop and write success stories with local partners to highlight accomplishments through public relations and communications.
- Work with various state and local agencies (including, but not limited to CPW, Mule Deer Foundation, and Conservation Districts) to coordinate success stories and leverage support for future restoration work.
- Write, and secure grants for project implementation and outreach, leverage partner funding, and write agreements as appropriate.
- Facilitate conversations and awareness on sagebrush conservation strategies and opportunities to all partners and stakeholders.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science degree in Rangeland Science, Wildlife Biology/Management, or Restoration Ecology from an accredited university. A strong background in range management with wildlife management is preferred.
- Have a minimum of 2 years, preferred 3+ years, work experience in a similar field.
- Understanding/knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is required.
- Knowledge of range science, fire and invasive species, and wildlife ecology and restoration.
- Understanding of the BLM agency, policy, planning, clearances, regulations, etc. is preferred.
- Able to obtain BLM Security Clearance.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
- Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
- Excellent verbal/written communication, coordination, and organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license and skillset to drive at high elevation, and often remote locations, on a regular basis and occasionally during inclement weather.
- Knowledge of computer skills is required and familiarity with ArcGIS, MS Office, and other programs used in field work.
- Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.
Duty Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Salary: $55k – $60k (based on experience) + Health Benefits and 401K. Position is eligible for annual salary increases based on performance.
To Apply: Application through email only. Please send cover letter, resume and 3 references (combined into one (1) document – MS Word or PDF) with a subject line of – “NW CO Sagebrush Conservation Partnership Job Application” to conservation@muledeer.org.
Application Deadline: 11/17/2021
Anticipated Start Date: 12/15/2021
Contacts: If you have questions, please contact Steve Belinda – MDF Director of Conservation at steve@muledeer.org /(307) 231-3128, or Mandi Hirsch – IWJV Sagebrush Collaborative Conservation Specialist at mandi.hirsch@iwjv.org /(970) 985-5780.
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.
This position will be located in a federal office subject to requirements under Executive Order 14042 to mandate vaccinations for COVID-19. All prospective hires will be required to provide documentation that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Per the order, employees may also request a Medical or Religious exemption from the vaccine requirement and the request must be supported by a doctor for a medical exemption or by a statement from the employee for a sincerely held belief for a religious exemption.