Regional Biologist

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. is hiring a Regional Biologist in Monroe, LA, to lead conservation programs focused on wetland restoration in Louisiana. Responsibilities include collaborating with partners, managing restoration projects, collecting field data, and enhancing water quality and wildlife habitats. Candidates should have a degree in natural resource management or related fields. The position involves fieldwork in challenging environments and requires technical and personal skills.
Regional Biologist

Monroe, LA

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the world’s leading waterfowl and wetland conservation organization, is seeking qualified candidates for a Louisiana Regional Biologist to join a great team of professionals and deliver conservation programs in Louisiana. The Louisiana Regional Biologist position will offer excellent opportunity to gain valuable field experience with DU and will also work closely with our Conservation Partners as well as private landowners. This position will be responsible for contributing to the restoration and enhancement of priority wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Louisiana. Technical and personal skills are needed to identify and develop wetland projects that improve water quality, provide important wintering waterfowl habitat, and improve floodplain capacity within an agriculturally dominated landscape.

DU is focused on enhancing shallow water wetlands, reducing siltation and erosion into area streams, reforesting key blocks of bottomland hardwood forest and reconnecting floodplain pathways into managed areas that provide a sustainable mix of significant agricultural and environmental landscapes. These strategies are pursued by working with private, state, and federal stakeholders to implement projects that demonstrate effective techniques, collect quantifiable data, and collaborate with partners to provide conservation solutions for wildlife and people at a landscape level.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Use existing network of Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) projects to identify opportunities to restore altered hydrology and enhance shallow water areas.
• Work with DU/ LDWF/ NRCS/ USFWS staff and partners including landowners, private organizations, state and federal agencies to develop restoration plans that may include surveying, tree planting, wetland construction or implementation of on-farm conservation practices.
• Manage projects to include budgets, contracts and/or partners to implement restoration designs and achieve desired goals.
• Collect project field data which may include biological inventories, habitat surveys, or others.
• Coordinate with Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture, LDWF, NRCS, and USFWS Refuge staff to determine focus area and select projects.
• Evaluate shallow water areas for enhancement opportunities.
• Assist with forest management recommendations on existing WRE tracts.
• Work with LDWF, NRCS, USFWS and other DU staff to identify water quality enhancement projects, focusing on connectivity, with existing WRE easements. Other practices that provide water quality benefits will also be considered.
• Assist with forest management recommendations on existing WRE tracts.
• Coordinate project design and provide appropriate oversight of project construction through communication with landowners, LDWF, NRCS and USFWS.
• Produce annual report to document progress, lessons learned and recommendations.
• Perform responsibly in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Qualifications:
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, biology, environmental science or other science-related fields. Advanced degree (e.g. M.S.) or training in a related field preferred but not required. Farming and forestry background beneficial.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience related to land use planning or project management is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with diverse public and private interests.
• Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills; exceptional written communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a diverse conservation team.
• Professional interests that align strongly with DU’s conservation mission and vison.
• Desire and demonstrated ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps; to learn on the job; and to cultivate sources of knowledge, expertise, and skill.
• Able and willing to travel frequently within the region of responsibility and occasionally beyond the service area.

The successful candidate will report to the Manager of Conservation Programs and work out of the DU Field Office in Monroe, LA.

To apply, please submit a resume, professional references, and cover letter stating your interest and qualifications for the position along with your vision for Ducks Unlimited’ s conservation program in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley.

This application will remain open until the position is filled. For additional information, please contact Tim Willis, Director of Conservation Programs at (601) 206-5454.

Salary and Benefits Package: Salary commensurate with experience. We work hard to encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefits package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; minimum three weeks paid vacation to start; 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, 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.