Environmental Habitat Specialist I

The Kent Conservation District is hiring an Environmental Habitat Specialist I for a one-year contractual position in Port Penn, DE. The role involves implementing Best Management Practices for land and water conservation, managing habitat restoration projects, and maintaining wildlife areas. Responsibilities include designing habitat projects, controlling invasive species, and collecting field data. This position reports to a Fish and Wildlife Regional Manager and requires hands-on conservation management skills.
This is not a merit position. This is a position with the Kent Conservation District.

Title: Environmental Habitat Specialist I

Program: DNREC – Division of Fish and Wildlife

Location: Port Penn, DE

Closing Date: Until Filled

Point of Contact: Jamie L. Willey, MBA (see below)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

ENVIRONMENTAL HABITAT SPECIALIST I

Location: DNREC- Division of Fish and Wildlife Deadline: Until Filled

Augustine Headquarters

303 North Congress Street Salary: $45,502.51

Port Penn, DE 19731

This is not a State of Delaware merit position. It is a one-year contractual position with the

opportunity to work long term.

The Kent Conservation District (KCD), a governmental subdivision of the State of Delaware, is seeking

applicants for the contractual services position of Environmental Habitat Specialist I with the Delaware

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife.

JOB SUMMARY

The Environmental Habitat Specialist (EHS) position will provide critical services to the Division of Fish &

Wildlife and State of Delaware by implementing various Best Management Practices for land and water

conservation that help to reduce and prevent soil erosion and storm water runoff on nearly 68,000 acres

of land owned and managed as State Wildlife Areas and State Boating and Fishing Access Areas.

The EHS position is responsible for design, implementation, and maintenance of habitat restoration and

management projects that include installation of field buffers, restoration and maintenance of wetlands

and retention ponds, management of a variety of upland habitat types including early successional

meadows and various age forests, and day to day maintenance and management of the State’s 19

wildlife areas, 4 cooperatively managed areas, and 66 boating and fishing access areas, and the Mike

Castle Trail.

The EHS position reports directly to a Fish and Wildlife Regional Manager. The EHS position requires the

ability to operate and maintain various habitat management and farming equipment used for

conservation projects; the ability to perform various maintenance trades such as general carpentry or

grounds keeping; and knowledge of conservation management activities such as invasive species

control, habitat restoration, or prescribed burning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions and are not intended

to be an exhaustive list of all job duties.
• Assists and reports to the Regional Fish and Wildlife Manager on the design of specific habitat

restoration and management projects to sustain diverse wildlife habitats on state wildlife areas in

support of native wildlife species.
• Implements specific best management practices for the creation, restoration, and management

of specific habitat types to include, but not limited to, early successional meadows, quality

forest, freshwater wetlands, tidal wetlands, ponds and transition zones between agricultural

lands and wildlife habitat such as buffer strips and hedgerows.
• Identifies and controls non-native invasive plants through implementation of proven management

practices to include mechanical removal, chemical application, and other methods that are

practical for effective long-term management.
• Collects and organizes field data such as plot surveys, plant identification, and species-specific

surveys and data collection to evaluate research and management practices for effectiveness

and benefit to wildlife.
• Assists in making recommendations on future management practices to continuously improve

long-term sustainable habitat management.
• Applies prescribed fire as a management tool for habitat restoration and maintenance including

assisting in the preparation of burn plans, acquiring burn permits and evaluating burn conditions

and burn results.
• Assists other regional wildlife area staff with the operation and maintenance of various

construction and farming equipment used for conservation projects and performs various

maintenance trades such as general carpentry or groundskeeping to ensure that the public has

safe access to and usage of state wildlife and fisheries areas and associated facilities.
• Conducts field work activities within difficult areas and conditions.
• Completes daily activity and equipment maintenance reports and assists in preparing habitat and

grant reports for federal, state, and non-profit agencies and conservation partners.
• Provides technical knowledge and information to the public as well as federal, state, and local

agencies, project partners, on habitat restoration and management on state wildlife areas as well

as lands not managed by the Division.
• Explains applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies to the public and state agency staff

regarding on-going projects/activities and use of state wildlife areas.
• Represents the Division at meetings and workshops to promote successful Division habitat

management projects and to build collaboration with other agencies and organizations that share

Delaware’s commitment to building and supporting sustainable wildlife populations.
• Supervises and trains seasonals, inmates and volunteers on complex conservation

methods/practices and equipment operations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have the following:

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Wildlife Management, Environmental Science,

Biology, Natural Science, or related field OR three (3) years of experience implementing habitat

management or habitat restoration practices.

2. Knowledge of the theories, concepts, principles, practices and procedures of habitat

management or habitat restoration projects.

3. Knowledge of operating and maintaining habitat management equipment.

4. Knowledge of the means and methods of collecting, analyzing and evaluating

environmental/ecological data.

5. Knowledge of ensuring compliance with environmental laws, rules, regulations, standards,

policies, and procedures.

6. Knowledge of technical report writing.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Conservation District

participates in the Federal E-Verify system to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. The

Conservation District does not provide sponsorship for holders of H-1B Visas.

2. Direct Deposit of paychecks is required of all new employees.

3. Possession of a valid Driver’s License is required (not suspended, revoked, cancelled, or

disqualified from driving.)

BENEFITS

The Kent Conservation District offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: 37.5-hour work week

with flexible scheduling options, 9.5 hours per month of accrued vacation leave and 9.5 hours per month

of accrued sick leave (prorated the first month of employment), and 11 paid holidays per year (holidays

and floating holidays follow the State of Delaware schedule.) Health insurance and pension are also

included in the benefits package.

The Kent Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and

values a diverse workforce.

TO APPLY

Please email cover letter, resume, and Kent Conservation District Application to:

Jamie L. Willey, MBA

DNREC District HR Manager

Jamie.L.Willey@delaware.gov

(302) 608-5478

Application may be downloaded from the Kent Conservation District Employment Opportunities website:

KCD Website

2025 Env Habitat Spec I – FW Port Penn – MarDownload

Required Items: Applicants will not be considered if a Cover Letter, Personal Resume, and completed Kent Conservation District Employment Application Form are not received by the posted closing date for this position.

To apply, please email all required items to: Jamie.L.Willey@delaware.gov

Job Category: DNREC – Division of Fish and Wildlife

Job Type: Contractual

Job Location: Port Penn