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The Prairie Restoration Specialist’s (PRS) primary function is to organize daily logistics, promote crew cohesion, and to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Daily duties will focus on native seed harvest and processing for a 100+ acre prairie restoration.  PRS will coordinate efforts of a three-person intern crew daily, and additional volunteers, staff, and cooperators intermittently.  The PRS will regularly canvass native prairie sites to prioritize both species and focal areas for seed collection efforts.  The PRS may assist in prescribed burns and maintain tools, equipment and land.  Other duties may include invasive species control and vegetation monitoring.  The PRS will maintain detailed records using field journals, a database, PC or mobile device. 

Overview:

This position will coordinate and enhance the on-going efforts of federal, state and private partners on the Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) Focal Area in South Carolina. Primary funding partners include The U.S. Forest Service Sumter National Forest (USFS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Quail Forever (QF). This individual will marshal efforts on the Indian Creek Initiative to coordinate habitat restoration and subsequent Northern bobwhite quail restoration for the area. The primary objective is to sustain and enhance project momentum.

Biologist Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the USFS, DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), QF local chapters, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conduct landowner outreach and promotion of Farm Bill programs (e.g. CRP, EQIP, SAFE, CSP, etc.) primarily within the Indian Creek priority area.
• Assist USFS and other entities with habitat management planning and implementation on both public and private lands (burn plans, TSI/thinning, timber harvest, timber marking, quail surveys, habitat monitoring, etc.)
• Conduct habitat workshops demonstrating the need for management of our forested ecosystems and the methods that are effective to reach specific management goals (i.e. more diversity, more quail and other wildlife, better forest fuels management, improved aesthetics, etc.)
• Collaborate and serve as a liaison among QF, USFS, DNR, NWTF, FSA, and NRCS concerning the Indian Creek Initiative. Serve on the SC Prescribed Fire Council, SC Quail Council Technical Committee, and the NRCS State Technical Committee.
• Identify, develop, and implement new and innovative habitat initiatives and partnerships that accelerate habitat efforts (e.g. corporate land holders, energy industry, pollinator interests, philanthropic foundations and granting entities, agribusiness etc.) interested in maintaining a vibrant and diverse economy with high quality of life for current and future generations.
• Seek and administer grant and other funding opportunities that help deliver the QF and partner mission priorities. Write grant proposals to leverage funds for additional quail habitat restoration.
• Administer and serve as the local contact for the QF food plot seed and native seed programs.
• Work very closely with the QF Regional Representative and Regional Leadership Team to expand and strengthen QF chapters and provide leadership to chapters on state habitat and outreach initiatives and priorities.
• Work with QF staff and chapters to use the unique QF local fundraising/spending model to develop state and local habitat delivery programs similar to PF/QF’s “Adopt a Wildlife Area” or “Habitat Share” to generate nonfederal matching funds that leverage habitat improvement on State WMA’s and other priority public lands.
• Act as the project manager for current and future USFS agreements within South Carolina, which may include Challenge Cost-Share and/or Stewardship Agreements.