The upper mississippi great lakes joint venture seeks to hire a science implementation coordinator to work with partners across the 10 state umgljv region to coordinate and support the JVS ability…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded a $583,735 Cooperative Agreement under the Migratory Bird Joint Ventures (CFDA 15.637) program to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) to hire a Science Implementation Coordinator for the Upper Mississippi Great Lakes Joint Venture (UMGLJV). The Coordinator will work with partners across the 10-state UMGLJV region to integrate science and conservation planning into strategic habitat conservation delivery. DU will post the position announcement, interview candidates, and hire the Coordinator, who will be supervised by the UMGLJV Coordinator. The funding, which covers years 1-3 from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029, with potential for additional USFWS funding in years 4-5, aims to make the Science Implementation Coordinator position permanent to support the UMGLJV's habitat conservation and migratory bird protection efforts.

The upper mississippi great lakes joint venture seeks to hire a science implementation coordinator to work with partners across the 10 state umgljv region to coordinate and support the JVS ability to integrate science and conservation planning into strategic habitat conservation delivery. The science implementation coordinator will work closely with the JV science team and other science partners to identify undertake and communicate the range of science needed by JV partners to effectively deliver habitat conservation strategies. The umgljv science implementation coordinator will be employed by ducks unlimited with salary and benefits and other associated expenses funded under agreement with the U.S. Fish and wildlife service and other JV partners. In direct cooperation with the USFWS DU will post a position announcement interview candidates negotiate employment terms and hire the umgljv science implementation coordinator position. The umgljv science implementation coordinator will be supervised by the joint venture coordinator for annual work planning performance schedule and travel planning and priority and task setting with administrative supervision provided by DU staff. The umgljv coordinator and JV management board have agreed to an efficient funding model that makes IT possible to hire the science implementation coordinator while advancing additional positions and conservation delivery network needs across the umgljv. Specifically the USFWS will fund approximately 60 percent of the position with the remaining funds derived from several umgljv partner organizations and agencies. In addition to varying contributions from several non profit partners each contributing state agency has agreed to a singular minimum amount of 5000 annually. The USFWS umgljv has secured funding for years 1 to 3 FY25 to FY27 and anticipate additional USFWS funding at 50 to 60 percent in years 4 to 5 FY28 to FY29. Despite a limited term agreement the intent is to continue funding in future years to make the umgljv science implementation coordinator a permanent position. DU will provide financial support and secure additional partner funding annually during the 5 year term of this agreement. DU requests 334475 of funding from the USFWS combined with 249260 of DU and JV board member support for a total of 583735 over three years. For decades DU and the USFWS have had a steadfast partnership to deliver shared conservation programs across the region. DU looks forward to working with USFWS joint venture staff to hire the proposed umgljv science implementation coordinator.