Habitat Specialist (Texas Lake)

Location: Texas Lake Wildlife Area (near Pratt, 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 Texas Lake 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
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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
  
  

Training and Experience Guideline: Preferred qualification for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or related field and/or related experience. Strongly preferred qualifications include a basic understanding of upland habitat management, prescribed burning, tractor and implement operation, equipment transportation, hand and power tools, noxious weed identification and management, wildlife and grassland ecology, and GIS, especially ArcMap or ArcGIS Pro. Proper training will be provided as necessary for the successful candidate.

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 khensley@pheasantsforever.org.

Description of Area:

Texas Lake Wildlife Area

The Texas Lake Wildlife Area is approximately 15 miles west of Pratt, KS. This will be the physical office location. This wildlife area encompasses 1200 acres and is managed primarily for hunting. Although Texas Lake is a natural wetland, prior to its purchase by the State of Kansas most of the area was farmed, and some filling of wetlands occurred. Today, intensive management has restored both wetland and upland areas.

This combination of native grasslands, shelterbelts, plum thickets, and an extensive wetland complex now creates an unusual diversity of habitat for this relatively small area. The marshes have been developed with a system of pipes, pumps, and dikes. Many different pools can be managed with the 345-acre feet of water rights available. The wetlands within this area are managed primarily for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

Other public lands managed in this unit include Pratt Sandhills Wildlife Area - 5,715 acres, Isabel Wetlands Wildlife Area -480 acres, Barber State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area - 190 acres, Pratt Backwaters approximately 10 acres of public fishing access located at the Pratt Operations Office, and Kiowa State Fishing Lake - 50 acres.

The major habitat management practices utilized on the wildlife areas include grazing, the mechanical and chemical removal of trees and brush, prescribed fire, and water level management. In addition to habitat management, all the assigned areas have public use facilities and infrastructure to maintain. This Habitat Specialist position will be involved in all those duties.

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.

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