Continuing the function of an ongoing professional service to landowners in the Eastern 1/3 of South Dakota through Habitat Forever/Pheasants Forever. The SD habitat specialist can create an outstanding custom operation creating quality wildlife habitat for years to come (planting warm and cool season grasses, prescribed burning, maintenance mowing, food plots, invasive tree removal, herbicide treatment, and wildlife management plans). The Specialist will identify and post easement properties in NE South Dakota using USDA data. Onsite work will include: equipment transport, site preparation, seed mixing and planting, mechanical weed control, and controlled burning. A willingness to work long hours when needed. Office duties will include: project solicitation, detailed record keeping, time and budget management, promotion and education best habitat practices, Rx burn and habitat management plan writing. Work will evolve eventually to working with private landowners, local Pheasants Forever chapters; other partners will include state natural resource agencies, NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and other local, state and federal agencies. Habitat Specialist will implement the USDA contract to restore easement properties to include easement signage, easement fencing, and prepping land for easement management purposes. The first year of this position will be primarily focused on signage and fencing of easement properties. The habitat building work will slowly be added through the early years.

Anticipated Start Date: May 10, 2021