Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), in cooperation with the Gulf Coast Joint Venture (GCJV) Management Board, is seeking a biologist to serve as Biological Team Leader (BTL) for the GCJV. We seek a highly-motivated individual capable of working within a diverse partnership to address priority waterfowl habitat conservation in the western Gulf of America. Principal duties of the BTL are to coordinate conservation planning, evaluation, and research to strengthen the biological foundations of waterfowl conservation in the GCJV region, and to work collaboratively with fellow staff and partners to communicate and implement priority bird habitat conservation through the GCJV partnership.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities of the BTL are to serve as staff specialist on technical waterfowl habitat and population issues at continental, regional, and local scales; chair the GCJV Waterfowl Working Group to ensure GCJV activities and priorities reflect contemporary waterfowl science; lead efforts to periodically refine GCJV waterfowl population and habitat objectives; synthesize available science, and provide advice to partners on best management practices for priority waterfowl habitats. Additionally, the BTL will help coordinate the GCJV Mottled Duck Working Group and work with partners to identify and implement priority science and conservation needs for this endemic species of the Gulf Coast region. The BTL is expected to work within highly interactive environments to achieve other duties, including remotely-sensed habitat monitoring efforts, developing innovative methods to measure landscape change, and representing the GCJV on regional and continental committees related to implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The BTL will partner with University, Federal, State, and non-profit scientists to address high priority waterfowl research needs as identified by the GCJV partnership. While the BTL is expected to maintain primary expertise related to waterfowl conservation, the position regularly works across bird guilds and habitat types, notably within the GCJV office where problem-solving is a fully interactive effort involving the entire team. 

The GCJV Biological Team Leader position is administered through DU’s Southern Regional Office (SRO) in Ridgeland, MS. Financial and in-kind support for the position are provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, ConocoPhillips, and Ducks Unlimited.

Qualifications

A Ph.D. (preferred) or M.S. in wildlife or wetland ecology or related field of study plus 3–5 years of experience in resource conservation is required. The successful applicant will possess knowledge and work experience with waterfowl population management and/or habitat conservation, preferably in the Gulf Coast region, as well as knowledge of conservation issues and planning for other bird groups of the Gulf Coast. Analytical skills with R and experience with GIS or remote sensing are desired. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, as well as a collaborative attitude, are essential. Experience with grant proposals and fundraising for conservation programs or research projects is a plus. 

The successful candidate will serve as a staff member of the GCJV Office, located in the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. The BTL will receive day-to-day guidance from the GCJV Coordinator and will report to DU’s Southern Region Director of Conservation Science and Planning.

Salary commensurate with education and experience. Attractive benefits package provided by Ducks Unlimited. 

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2025 or until a qualified applicant is identified.

To Apply: Please fill out the application materials online http://www.ducks.org/jobs and attach resume, cover letter and three references.  For questions regarding this position, please contact Aaron Pierce, SRO Director of Conservation Science & Planning at apierce@ducks.org and Barry Wilson, GCJV Coordinator at barry_wilson@fws.gov . 

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.