The Role
Manage and implement habitat practices on public wildlife lands including prescribed burns, mechanical tree removal, wetland and moist-soil management, herbicide use, food plots, and infrastructure repairs. Conduct biological surveys and sampling, coordinate agricultural permits and habitat plans using GIS, procure supplies, supervise seasonal staff, and provide public outreach and training.
Summary Generated by Built In
Location: Tuttle Creek Wildlife Management Area (near Olsburg, 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 Tuttle Creek Wildlife Management Area and 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 Area:
Tuttle Creek WMA
Tuttle Creek Wildlife Mgmt. Area is situated in the beautiful Flint Hills region of Kansas. The lake is the second largest in the state offering 12,000 acres of water and 100 miles of irregular wooded shoreline. Tuttle Creek Lake, being the key unit of flood control projects within the Kansas River Basin, may swell to 54,000 acres. KDWP also manages 17,800 acres of land on the north end of the lake for wildlife benefit. In addition to permanent habitat enhancement, KDWP provides 3,220 acres of cropland for winter food. Because of the flooding, area management will focus on enhancing wetland habitat. 480 acres of constructed wetlands provide food and shelter to migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Other species managed for include white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, pheasants, squirrels and doves. Also tied in with the Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area is Blue Valley Wildlife Area that is owned by KDWP. With a total of 492 acres of woodlands, native grass and pasture. In conjunction with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, the Corps of Engineers, Lake Nemaha Improvement Association, Ducks Unlimited and Nemaha County, a $1.2 million dollar project was completed in 2002 to restore a fishery in a portion of the dry lakebed and create a new wetland. The result was 125-acre wetlands and an 18-acre fishpond created from a borrow area for construction of the wetland berm.
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 Tuttle Creek Wildlife Management Area and 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 Area:
Tuttle Creek WMA
Tuttle Creek Wildlife Mgmt. Area is situated in the beautiful Flint Hills region of Kansas. The lake is the second largest in the state offering 12,000 acres of water and 100 miles of irregular wooded shoreline. Tuttle Creek Lake, being the key unit of flood control projects within the Kansas River Basin, may swell to 54,000 acres. KDWP also manages 17,800 acres of land on the north end of the lake for wildlife benefit. In addition to permanent habitat enhancement, KDWP provides 3,220 acres of cropland for winter food. Because of the flooding, area management will focus on enhancing wetland habitat. 480 acres of constructed wetlands provide food and shelter to migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Other species managed for include white-tailed deer, turkey, quail, pheasants, squirrels and doves. Also tied in with the Tuttle Creek Wildlife Area is Blue Valley Wildlife Area that is owned by KDWP. With a total of 492 acres of woodlands, native grass and pasture. In conjunction with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, the Corps of Engineers, Lake Nemaha Improvement Association, Ducks Unlimited and Nemaha County, a $1.2 million dollar project was completed in 2002 to restore a fishery in a portion of the dry lakebed and create a new wetland. The result was 125-acre wetlands and an 18-acre fishpond created from a borrow area for construction of the wetland berm.
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, or natural resource science
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management or related field (preferred)
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively and work independently with little supervision
- Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills
- Valid driver's license
- Experience with upland habitat management
- Experience with prescribed burning
- Tractor and implement operation experience
- Experience with equipment transportation
- Experience with hand and power tools
- Noxious weed identification and management experience
- Knowledge of wildlife and grassland ecology
- GIS experience, especially ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro
- Experience conducting wildlife field surveys (e.g., spotlight, brood, covey, waterfowl counts)
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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.
