The Role
Perform habitat management and field surveys on public wildlife areas: prescribed burning, mechanical tree removal, planting, moist-soil wetland management, herbicide use, equipment and infrastructure maintenance, GIS-based permit and habitat plan coordination, procure supplies, supervise seasonal staff, assist biologists with surveys, and provide public outreach.
Summary Generated by Built In
Location: Marais des Cygnes and Hillsdale Wildlife Management Area and other wildlife areas (near Pleasanton, Kansas)
Application Deadline: July 30, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: August 30, 2026
Starting Salary Information: $19.00/hour starting salary, benefits, and modest performance-based yearly increases (view benefit summary on our recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs).
Overview: This position is part of a partnership between the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF). The incumbent will conduct habitat management work on the Marais des Cygnes and Hillsdale Wildlife Management Area along with other wildlife areas. They are full-time, permanent employees of PFQF and will receive daily leadership from KDWP Wildlife Area Managers. This position not only provides professional services but also prepares employees for potential advancement in the natural resources field by providing training in planning, management, and implementation of habitat practices.
Duties: The incumbent will assist with all aspects of managing the assigned wildlife management areas. Major responsibilities include and vary depending on duty station:
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word Document or PDF File before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.
If you have additional questions, please contact Kent Hensley, PF/QF Kansas Habitat Specialist Manager, at 785-639-8481 or [email protected].
Description of Work Area:
Marais des Cygnes WMA
The Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area is approximately 45 minutes south of Overland Park, Kansas It lies in the floodplain of the Marais des Cygnes River and is unique for its quantity of managed wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest. The array of wetland units are managed for a diversity of habitat types, producing abundant food and cover for migratory waterfowl and other wetland species. In general, wetlands are dewatered in the spring and reflooded in the fall with water pumped from the river. Bottomland hardwood forests are dominated by oak and hickory and are excellent habitat for turkey, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and, during wet seasons, waterfowl that use forested wetlands. In addition to wetlands and bottomland forest, the area features upland forest, upland and wet-meadow prairie, restored native grasslands, and cropland. Waterfowl hunting recreation is the primary objective for this area. The Habitat Specialist is actively involved in all aspects of wetland and upland habitat management.
La Cygne Lake is a 2,600-acre cooling reservoir for a coal-fired generating plant owned by Evergy, with 2,000 acres of the watershed comprising the wildlife area. The area is mostly wooded uplands, with some grass meadows and crop fields. Improving habitat for bobwhite quail, wild turkey, white-tailed deer and squirrels is the primary objective of habitat management for La Cygne.
Hillsdale WMA
Habitat types include grassland, forest, wetland, ponds, and farmland. Grasslands vary from open grass- and wildflower-dominated fields to brushy shrublands abundant with dogwood, plum, sumac, and cedar. More than 1,000 acres of mature oak, hickory, and walnut forest provides hard mast for forest wildlife. Six moist soil wetlands are managed for ephemeral and emergent vegetation for native wildlife, particularly migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Also, more than 20 ponds can be found across the Wildlife Area. Approximately 500 acres of the Wildlife Area is planted to corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and winter wheat, annually. Additional crops are planted as food plots. Food plot locations may change from year-to-year.
Application Deadline: July 30, 2026
Anticipated Start Date: August 30, 2026
Starting Salary Information: $19.00/hour starting salary, benefits, and modest performance-based yearly increases (view benefit summary on our recruitment website: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs).
Overview: This position is part of a partnership between the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF). The incumbent will conduct habitat management work on the Marais des Cygnes and Hillsdale Wildlife Management Area along with other wildlife areas. They are full-time, permanent employees of PFQF and will receive daily leadership from KDWP Wildlife Area Managers. This position not only provides professional services but also prepares employees for potential advancement in the natural resources field by providing training in planning, management, and implementation of habitat practices.
Duties: The incumbent will assist with all aspects of managing the assigned wildlife management areas. Major responsibilities include and vary depending on duty station:
- Supervising and implementing habitat management work on public lands which will include but is not limited to prescribed burning, mechanical tree removal with skid steer, food plot establishment, brome conversion, native grass establishment, dove field management, and herbicide application.
- Participating in scientific field studies and surveys which will include spotlight deer surveys, pheasant crow counts, quail whistle counts, pheasant and turkey brood surveys, fall covey counts, and waterfowl surveys. Incumbent may assist other biologists and divisions with sampling, surveys, and other duties.
- Coordinating agricultural permits and habitat plans using GIS.
- Participate in habitat management of intensely managed wetlands with a focus on moist soil management. Including wetland draw downs, water pumping, use of a variety of water control structures, wetland design, infrastructure repairs and maintenance, soil disturbance techniques, flood response, row crop production, and use of large array of tools and equipment to meet management objectives.
- Procuring supplies and equipment.
- Supervising and participating in the construction, maintenance and repair of area buildings, equipment, and roads.
- Providing public outreach.
- Participating in training and evaluation of seasonal employees.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- A basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners. Preference will be given to candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on wildlife management.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, partner agencies and work independently with little supervision.
- Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license required.
To Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word Document or PDF File before uploading as part of your application on our recruitment website at: www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs.
If you have additional questions, please contact Kent Hensley, PF/QF Kansas Habitat Specialist Manager, at 785-639-8481 or [email protected].
Description of Work Area:
Marais des Cygnes WMA
The Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area is approximately 45 minutes south of Overland Park, Kansas It lies in the floodplain of the Marais des Cygnes River and is unique for its quantity of managed wetlands and bottomland hardwood forest. The array of wetland units are managed for a diversity of habitat types, producing abundant food and cover for migratory waterfowl and other wetland species. In general, wetlands are dewatered in the spring and reflooded in the fall with water pumped from the river. Bottomland hardwood forests are dominated by oak and hickory and are excellent habitat for turkey, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and, during wet seasons, waterfowl that use forested wetlands. In addition to wetlands and bottomland forest, the area features upland forest, upland and wet-meadow prairie, restored native grasslands, and cropland. Waterfowl hunting recreation is the primary objective for this area. The Habitat Specialist is actively involved in all aspects of wetland and upland habitat management.
La Cygne Lake is a 2,600-acre cooling reservoir for a coal-fired generating plant owned by Evergy, with 2,000 acres of the watershed comprising the wildlife area. The area is mostly wooded uplands, with some grass meadows and crop fields. Improving habitat for bobwhite quail, wild turkey, white-tailed deer and squirrels is the primary objective of habitat management for La Cygne.
Hillsdale WMA
Habitat types include grassland, forest, wetland, ponds, and farmland. Grasslands vary from open grass- and wildflower-dominated fields to brushy shrublands abundant with dogwood, plum, sumac, and cedar. More than 1,000 acres of mature oak, hickory, and walnut forest provides hard mast for forest wildlife. Six moist soil wetlands are managed for ephemeral and emergent vegetation for native wildlife, particularly migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Also, more than 20 ponds can be found across the Wildlife Area. Approximately 500 acres of the Wildlife Area is planted to corn, soybeans, sunflowers, and winter wheat, annually. Additional crops are planted as food plots. Food plot locations may change from year-to-year.
Pheasants Forever, Inc is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.
Skills Required
- Basic understanding of environmental, agricultural, and/or natural resource science (education may be substituted)
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies and work independently with little supervision
- Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills
- Valid driver's license
- Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management or related field
- Experience or understanding of upland habitat management
- Experience with prescribed burning
- Tractor and implement operation and equipment transportation experience
- Experience with hand and power tools
- Noxious weed identification and management experience
- Knowledge of wildlife and grassland ecology
- Experience with GIS, especially ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro
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The Company
What We Do
Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to conserving pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.
