Title: Private Land Conservationist
Requisition Id: 4004
Salary: $51,696 - $64,512
Salary Grade: S8
Job Location: Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office (STLOU7)
Closing Date: June 29, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Erin D Shank at Erin.Shank@mdc.mo.gov or at 314-301-1506 x4161 , during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Provide technical expertise to private landowners and communities to assist with their land management and natural resource management goals.
Essential Job Duties
- Provide technical advice and assistance to private landowners and communities in St. Louis and Jefferson Counties and St. Louis City to help them achieve their conservation goals by conducting site visits, implementing cost share practices, and teaching workshops.
- Build and maintain relationships and work cooperatively with other agencies and conservation partners to ensure progress toward shared conservation goals.
- Act as core member of the St. Louis Region Community Conservation Team.
- Perform inspections and on-site visits and answer conservation-related questions via telephone, email and in-person discussion.
- Conduct training sessions and workshops on management of forest, woodland, glade, and prairie habitats.
- Communicate regularly with internal and external stakeholders, agencies and partners.
- Assist with development and implementation of programs and policies that promote conservation.
- Administer various cost share programs to assist landowners with funding conservation projects.
- Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and policies, and make recommendations for improvement.
- Inspect equipment for functionality and report needed repairs.
- Monitor spending in alignment with annual budget.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Participate in regional and state priority conservation projects.
- Perform administrative duties such as expense reimbursements, monthly reports, accomplishment tracking, etc.
- Organize and/or participate in internal and external regional planning committees and councils.
- Execute special events and programs, as needed.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries, Forestry or Wildlife Management, Biological Sciences, Criminal Justice, Agriculture or related field.
- At least three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
- Ability to obtain Prescribed Burn Plan Certification.
- Ability to obtain Pesticide Applicator License.
- Ability to obtain NRCS Level 1 Conservation Planner Certification.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of applicable software, including ArcMap GIS software and GPS.
- Understanding of conservation plan development and specific cost share programs and their requirements.
- Knowledge of federal and state conservation programs and policies.
- Knowledge of habitat management techniques for all Missouri ecotypes.
- Ability to communicate technical information, both verbally and in writing, to individuals with diverse interests and backgrounds.
- Ability to develop and present programs to individuals and groups.
- Ability to travel frequently and stay overnight occasionally.
- Ability to identify internal and external politics that impact the work of the Department.
- Ability to define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and plans to solve the problem.
- Ability to take a long-term view of the Department’s and Division’s direction and articulate a vision which integrates key program goals, priorities, values, and other factors.
- Ability to make timely and effective decisions with available information or knowledge within own span of authority.
Work Environment
- Occasionally work in outdoor weather.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more, and three-dimensional vision.
- Regularly lift up to 10 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.