Private Lands Biologist - East-Central Iowa

Private Lands Biologist (East-Central Iowa)

Great Lakes Atlantic Region: Scott County, Iowa

Full-Time / Remote

Position Location:

Flexible around Scott County. The position will work remotely and travel often to complete area wide responsibilities within Scott County and surrounding counties.

Position Overview:

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., (DU) is seeking to hire one (1) Private Lands Biologist to help deliver on the ground technical assistance to producers and landowners within Scott County and the surrounding area. The Private Lands Biologist will be integrated into DUs Iowa team of Biologists, GIS Analysts, and Engineers. The successful candidate will be administering Working Lands for Resilient Communities, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) led by DU that targets Scott County, Iowa. The candidate will oversee partner communication, grant reporting, and landowner technical assistance to support a variety of in-field and edge-of-field regenerative agriculture and water quality practices. The selected candidate will build relationships with state, federal and local agencies, private landowners, and agricultural partners to identify and develop opportunities to implement practices benefiting water quality and soil health. This position will be remote, working from an in-home office, and will be expected to have routine interaction with all involved program partners and landowners. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of agricultural systems, agronomy, soil health, wildlife conservation, and integrate their expertise into program delivery.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

In partnership with PSCW (Partners of Scott County Watersheds), this position will promote agricultural programs and practices that result in improved water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat on private lands in Scott County, Iowa. As a member of DU’s conservation team, the position will foster relationships with producers and private landowners and provide conservation technical assistance and voluntary conservation program delivery (with a specific focus on water quality practices). In addition to supporting the delivery of conservation technical assistance within priority areas, staff may also provide technical support and planning to the Advancing Markets for Producers Program (AMP), Iowa Department of Agricultural and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and other state, federal, and Non-Government Organization (NGO) partners as deemed appropriate. The selected candidate will work in joint capacity grant partners such as NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service), PSCW, and Iowa State University. The biologist will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Scott County RCCP program along with other programs in the state DU delivers. Activities will include working one-on-one with private landowners (with specific focus on implementing water quality practices and habitat conservation), hosting workshops and one-on-one meetings, contract coordination, conservation planning, site assessment, reporting and outreach.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred candidate must have a Bachelor of Science in agriculture, agronomic sciences, wildlife, or related field from an accredited university. At least two years of professional work experience focused on agriculture systems, wildlife management, programs, practices, and delivery are highly preferred. Experience in agronomy, specifically soil health principles/regenerative agriculture is highly preferred. Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, are required. The ideal candidate will have a good working knowledge of agricultural systems and incentive programs, experience working one-on-one with private landowners to provide conservation planning assistance, and the ability to work well with diverse teams including DU staff, conservation partners, landowners, and agriculture producers. The position will require frequent work out-of-doors, possibly in inclement weather, and may require physical exertion or lifting as needed. Candidate must be able and willing to travel as needed, including some overnight travel. This position will consist of both office and field work.

Required and Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Possess strong personal skills to effectively communicate with private landowners, partners, USDA staff, other wildlife professionals and the public.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal conservation programs and policies (especially Iowa Water Quality Initiative and USDA Farm Bill) used to protect and restore wetlands and grasslands in agriculturally dominated landscapes is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Farm Bill programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) also preferred.
• Working knowledge of soil health principles and how they can be applied across different crop/soil systems and their agronomic benefit.
• Knowledge of principles used in the management of migrating waterfowl.
• Specific knowledge in writing and delivering conservation management plans.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ArcGIS software.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and prioritize work activities and complete tasks to meet deadlines.
• Effectively prepare and present information on conservation programs to peers and the public through workshops, tours, and other planned events.
• Possess good writing skills for preparation of grants, reports, management plans, etc.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive fleet vehicles or personal vehicle for federal mileage reimbursement rate when fleet vehicles are not available.

Benefits/Salary: DU offers a competitive benefits package. Salary commensurate with education & experience.

Application: To apply please fill out all of the application materials and attach a resume, cover letter and three references.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through December 31st, 2025 or until a qualified applicant is identified.