Employment Opportunities

Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) Biologist – Northeast Arkansas

Reports To: NDA’s Chief Conservation Officer and the AGFC’s DMAP Coordinator

Position Term:  This is a full-time position offered through a cost share agreement between Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and the National Deer Association (NDA).  The agreement is on a three-year renewable contract with an annual renewal within the contract.

Position Location:  This is a home-based position that will work remotely in Northeast Arkansas, but travel will be required on occasion outside the region. This position will be required to report to the local AGFC regional offices and other sites for meetings, workshops, trainings, etc.  This position must reside in a county located within the Northeast Arkansas DMAP region as indicated in the map below.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: 

The National Deer Association is seeking a qualified, self-motivated, and outgoing individual to serve as a DMAP Biologist to:

• Educate landowners and assist Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) staff with facilitation of the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) in Arkansas.
• Follow and implement the DMAP standard operating procedures set forth by the AGFC to achieve the DMAP goals and targets set for each county in their respective region.
• Assist with the implementation of the AGFC’s White-tailed Deer Strategic Management Plan.
• Provide harvest recommendations, management plans, and habitat management recommendations on lands enrolled in the DMAP program.
• Solicit enrollment, provide regional updates, maintain all applicable databases, and serve as the primary point of contact for the DMAP program in their region.
• Provide guidance to landowners on deer population and habitat management, conducting deer population and research surveys or other data collection efforts to meet DMAP enrollment requirements.
• Work with private landowners to establish and support wildlife management cooperatives in Arkansas.
• Conduct habitat management trainings for private landowners, understand federal and state private lands financial assistance programs, and help coordinate private land assistance programs with AGFC staff to help hunting clubs implement habitat improvement projects.
• Promote hunter recruitment (R3) and mentoring initiatives from both NDA and AGFC.
• Participate in projects to promote wildlife conservation, conservation education and Arkansas’s hunting heritage.
• Increase awareness of NDA by recruiting new members and sponsors.
• Promote NDA programs and conservation partner programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management or related natural resource field.
• Experience with deer hunting, deer management, and habitat management.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate sound working knowledge of common agricultural practices.
• Ability to engage and relate with hunters, landowners and land managers.
• Ability to organize and coordinate educational events.
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and teamwork skills.
• Well-developed written and verbal communications skills.
• Sound computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, GPS, and GIS programs including ArcMap and Terrain Navigator Pro.
• Willingness to travel and work outside normal business hours.
• Ability to produce self-motivated work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to plan and organize assigned tasks independently.
• Ability to conduct scientific wildlife surveys.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain close working relationships with the AGFC’s DMAP Coordinator, Deer Program Coordinator, Deer Team, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response Team, and Private Lands Habitat Division.  Provide monthly and annual updates on current activities and attend regional staff meetings whenever possible.
• Work closely with the Arkansas Hunter’s Feeding the Hungry to maintain and strengthen partnerships and help implement the DMAP deer donation program.
• Coordinate and assist with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling trainings for landowners and deer hunters in Arkansas while also participating in various AGFC CWD sampling efforts.
• Assist in addressing nuisance deer complaints from property owners and provide appropriate technical assistance including the issuance of deer depredation permits.
• Assist the AGFC’s Captive Wildlife Program when needed to address captive deer on private lands within the assigned region of the state.
• Maintain close working relationship with other state and national NDA employees.
• Perform routine administrative duties required to comply with AGFC programs, divisions, and agency standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Flexible Work Schedule:  These positions include a fair number of work hours that fall outside of standard working hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm).  However, we wish all our employees to maintain an appropriate work-life balance.  To do so, we ask that you take time off during the standard working hours to account for hours worked during nights and weekends.

About the National Deer Association

The National Deer Association is the leading non-profit deer conservation group and works to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting. Formed by combining the strengths of two long-serving, successful organizations, the National Deer Association has a combined 40 years of action that has changed deer management for the betterment of hunting and protected North America’s most vital and admired game species for future generations. Visit DeerAssociation.com or follow @deerassociation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Salary/Benefits: Starting salary is $51,558.62 annually. Additional benefits include competitive health insurance, vacation, retirement, paid holidays, and flexible working arrangements.  This position will require the selected individual to provide his/her own vehicle to conduct work activities but will be reimbursed for mileage.

Application Process: Interested persons should forward a resume, cover letter, and three references to Kip@DeerAssociation.com.

Application Deadline: January 10, 2025.