Central Coast Rangeland Ecologist, Scientist II

Central Coast Rangeland Ecologist, Scientist II at Point Blue Conservation Science

Location: San Mateo County; this position will primarily work from Point Blue’s satellite office at TomKat Ranch in Pescadero, CA

Deadline to Apply: May 5, 2024 (Position is open until filled)

Position Type: Full Time, Exempt

Compensation and Benefits: $67,833-$70,324 Annually. Salary is based on qualifications and internal equity. Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid medical and dental for staff and 75% for dependents. Other benefits include life insurance, long-term care, long- and short-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans as well as time off benefits. 

About Point Blue:

Point Blue advances conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems through innovative research, restoration, outreach, and extensive partnerships.  Our highest priority is to reduce the impacts of habitat loss, climate change and other threats to biodiversity and people, while promoting adaptation to the changes ahead.  Point Blue achieves this by conducting research and developing and communicating science-based solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of these changes.  Because of our work today, healthy ecosystems will continue to support thriving biodiversity and human communities in California and beyond, on land and at sea.

We recognize that increasing racial, gender, cultural, and other diversity, equity, and inclusion factors at Point Blue and in our partnerships is essential for the success of our mission, vision, and strategy. We are actively engaging in a process to create lasting organizational change. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams. We strongly encourage applications from people with backgrounds that are under-represented in the conservation community.

About TomKat Ranch:

TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation’s (TKREF) mission is to provide healthy food on working landscapes in a way that regenerates the planet and inspires others to action. TomKat Ranch is an 1800 acre grassfed cattle ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area. TKREF’s team of ranchers, scientists, and advocates look to nature to guide their landscape management in a manner that exemplifies their values. Their goal is to transform five million acres to regenerative land management and eaters to regeneratively grown food.

Position Summary:

The Central Coast Rangeland Ecologist (CCRE) will work with TomKat Ranch and Point Blue Conservation Science as they seek to demonstrate the ranching practices and benefits of regenerative ranching. Specifically, the CCRE will support the TomKat Ranch, Rangeland Monitoring Network, and other rangeland ecosystem projects. This position will assist TomKat ranch and other Central Coast landowners with regenerative agriculture and adaptive management plans. The CCRE collects field data, ensures timely and accurate data management, manages field logistics, supervises field technicians, and communicates results.  Field data includes but is not limited to multi-species bird point counts, vegetation surveys, soil sampling, and water infiltration measurements.  

The CCRE will work with TomKat Ranch’s Regenerative Science Coordinator and Land & Livestock team and Point Blue’s science team to conduct regenerative ranching research, help inform management decisions, and communicate about our shared science and SMART goals to farmers and ranchers and others. The CCRE will embody and foster the collaborative spirit of the partnership between TKR and Point Blue, be an integral member of Point Blue’s Working Lands and Soils teams, and leverage shared resources, knowledge, and expertise to drive forward common goals.

Essential Functions:

Field Work: 40%

• Completes field research including collection, storage, statistical analysis, modeling, and reporting/publishing of data and study findings regarding various aspects of soil ecology and ecosystem science.
• Completes field work including bird and other wildlife monitoring, vegetation surveys, and soil samples for measuring ecosystem function.
• Ensures consistent and reliable standardized data are gathered each year and stored, backed up, and available for analyses.
• Manages and ensures quality control of data including data entry, scanning, and archiving. Uses data to establish results and draft summaries/reports.
• Takes the lead on implementing field projects. This may include, but is not limited to, coordinating the study and survey protocol, buying field supplies, and communicating with partners about permits, access to field sites on public and private lands, scheduling, and other issues relevant to the project.
• Provides oversight during the field season to ensure collection of the highest quality data possible and maintain a safe and productive work environment.
• Conducts post-project tasks, including managing/organizing data, organizing equipment, maintaining communication, and sending thank you letters to partners.
• Assists with RMN training in soil sampling, bird surveys, and vegetation surveys to Point Blue staff and RMN partners.
• Provides general leadership to interns and/or seasonal staff.
• Integrates into the local agricultural community and build trusting relationships with producers.
• Represents Point Blue in the science community; attends meetings, workshops and symposia to disseminate Point Blue science.

TomKat Ranch Partnership: 30%

• Attend staff meetings regularly, land and livestock meetings as appropriate, and other meetings requested by the Ranch Director.
• Provide regular updates to the Point Blue TomKat Ranch Team about projects on the Ranch.
• Coordinate with TomKat Ranch and Point Blue staff to accomplish Point Blue led projects (e.g., restoration, mist-netting, educational events) in an efficient and effective manner.
• Assist with training TomKat Ranch staff and interns.
• Participate in TomKat Ranch events which could include, but are not limited to, natural history walks, presentations, and scientific illustration.

Communicating Scientific Research: 20%

• Maintains positive relationship with key external partners to ensure access to private and government owned land.
• Contributes, as needed, to funding proposals.
• Maintains current knowledge of all data collection techniques used in the projects overseen and ensures field data collected is of the highest quality.
• Analyzes results using proper statistical techniques and tools.
• Assists in publishing results in peer reviewed journals, popular articles, and scientific and general presentations.
• Provides guidance to interns and staff with project summaries and/or manuscripts (e.g, writing, researching, and/or analysis).
• Write technical reports for distribution internally and externally.
• Prepare and give presentations on research projects – within Point Blue, to partners, and at professional meetings. These presentations may be technical in nature or geared toward a more general audience.
• Develop and deliver timely “landowner letters” that provide summaries of the data collected on their property.
• Attend and contribute to meetings and workshops identified by the Point Blue TomKat team and TomKat staff.

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

• Conduct literature searches and other types of information gathering as necessary to inform management decisions.
• Perform special projects and research as assigned.

Preferred Education and Experience:

This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or related field; and 4 years of experience in avian science, botany, soil ecology or related field.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of soil ecology principles and practices.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of study design, data management, and project planning, implementation, and management.
• Knowledge of scientific research methods and techniques involving biology, ecology, and other related biological sciences and their application to resource conservation and management activities; familiarity with conservation biology, ecology, and/or ornithological literature.
• Knowledge of natural history.
• Knowledge of data management best practices.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of statistics and use of statistical measures.
• Knowledge of techniques and practices of supervision and training and daily oversight of field crews.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
• May require knowledge of oil spill response protocols and methods.
• Skills operating a computer including Microsoft Office software and data management software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including public speaking, graphic presentations, and report writing.
• Experience with driving (including a valid driver’s license) off-road or in ATVs.
• Ability to work well with others and foster relationships.

Point Blue is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.