Agricultural Biodiversity Specialist – Habitat and Bee Better Certified Planner

Description:

JOB TITLE: Agricultural Biodiversity Specialist – Habitat and Bee Better Certified Planner

 

LOCATION: Southern California: Bakersfield or other central location in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Ventura or Riverside Counties.

 

COMPENSATION: $31.51/ hour, approximately 65,540/yr.

 

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, hourly, non-exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week.

 

JOB START DATE: August 2024

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 27,2024

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

We are committed to creating a more diverse workforce that is welcoming to all employees and the communities we serve. As part of the application process, please be prepared to answer a brief essay question (1,000 characters or less) in which you describe some ways you might help Xerces collaborate with diverse audiences or historically excluded communities in this role.

Xerces provides accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org with your specific request.

 

JOIN US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most important animals. We are seeking a skilled conservation planner with experience in large scale farming, conservation agriculture, pollinator habitat implementation and Integrated Pest Management. We are very interested in candidates with personal or professional experience in the California citrus industry.

 

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.

 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

You’ll be joining a growing team of professionals working to conserve some of the world’s most important animals. The Agricultural Biodiversity Specialist – Habitat and Bee Better Certified Planner will support Xerces’ private-sector partners in designing and implementing cutting-edge conservation systems for bees and beneficial insects on farms across California and the U.S.

 

Supervised by Senior Pollinator Habitat Specialist, Food Systems and Living Farms Project Lead, this position will collaborate closely with farm managers, crop industry leaders and key staff at some of the largest food companies in the world to design and implement biodiversity and regenerative practices on farms that serve the manufactured food and fresh produce industries, with a special focus on the California citrus industry.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with key staff at select food companies to identify and reach out to farms that will implement pollinator habitat and climate smart agriculture practices.
• Work with leaders in the California citrus industry to implement pollinator conservation, soil health and carbon sequestration practices on citrus farms
• Develop large-scale habitat planting plans, including protocols for site preparation, planting methods, and ongoing maintenance.
• Support the promotion, recruitment, and on-boarding of farms into Xerces’ Bee Better Certified farm and food product certification program, including technical assistance throughout the application process.
• Document pest management practices on farms and work with farmers to foster the adoption of Integrated Pest Management strategies.
• Directly participate in the establishment of hedgerows, wildflower meadows and cover crop systems in heavily managed agricultural settings, including direct collaboration with farm staff and labor.
• Perform monitoring of on-farm pollinator and beneficial insect habitats throughout the region.
• Support partners with science-based advice and consulting on native bee conservation, on-farm ecosystem services and nature-based pest and climate solutions.
• Communicate our conservation model and the impact of our work to diverse stakeholders including farmers, food companies, and government agencies at conferences, workshops, and business meetings.
• Travel frequently to job sites within California and occasional travel to job sites out of state.

Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

 

• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to work independently managing conservation projects and plans with professional clients.
• Exceptional attention to detail and skills with document drafting, review and plan development.
• Knowledge of large-scale farm practices and specialty crop management systems, especially in California Citrus.
• Knowledge of pest management practices in large-scale crop production including commonly used pesticides and Integrated Pest Management practices and documentation.
• Knowledge of carbon sequestration and healthy soils practices and strategies.
• Experience identifying California native plant species and establishing habitat in highly impacted landscapes.
• An understanding of pollination ecology and the role of native pollinators (especially bees) in agroecosystems.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and ability to organize meetings and present information to a wide variety of professional clients and stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Slack). The use of Google Suite and geospatial data management software is required daily.
• Proficiency or willingness to learn how to use mobile digital data collection tools and ArcGIS mapping software.

PREFERRED

• Spanish-language competency
• Cross-cultural, multicultural, and/or multilingual skills, background, or experience.
• Previous employment or personal background in California Citrus or other agricultural networks.
• Knowledge of agricultural certification programs and familiarity with certification processes, such as organic or regenerative organic certification.
• Familiarity with CDFA Healthy Soils and Pollinator Habitat Programs.
• Understanding of pesticides, toxicology, common insect pests and management practices, and conservation biological control
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to insect/wildlife conservation.
• Conservation planning experience
• Ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate complex scientific information in a way that will influence conservation practice.
• Ability to develop and give engaging presentations to audiences of more than twenty adults.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines, while delivering quality results.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, natural resource management, conservation science, toxicology or related field.
• At least 2 years of planning or project management experience in working lands.
• Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check prior to employment allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance. Offer of employment is contingent on this record check.

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, natural resource management, conservation science or toxicology

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or accommodations:

• Able to move and transport supplies, materials, equipment weighing up to 30 lbs
• Occasionally work in the field for 8-12 hours per day under adverse weather conditions.
• Frequently traverse across agricultural roads and fields, unpaved roads and walkways, and unimproved trails for periods of 2-8 hours.
• Frequently drive vehicle or fly by commercial airline for periods of up to 8 hours.
• Able to work in stationary position for periods of 2-8 hours.
• Travel overnight when necessary for project assessments, implementation or planning.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; thirteen paid holidays, paid time off accrued starting at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule), medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, short-term disability insurance where not provided under state law, long-term disability insurance, participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting eligibility requirements, and a flexible work environment.

 

MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website: www.xerces.org

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

 

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

 

MUTUAL ARBITRATION: Xerces policies require that employees accept a binding mutual arbitration agreement and process for dispute resolution as an alternative to a jury/trial process. Acceptance of the agreement is a condition of employment, and candidates are offered a position with a minimum of 72 hours to

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

 

PRIORITY REFERRAL OF PROTECTED VETERANS

We request priority referral of protected veterans for all openings with our organization. In order to be considered for employment, all applicants for employment with Xerces Society, apply through our Job Board. When referring or being referred as a candidate, including protected veterans, please refer them to this applicant site; http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs.

Xerces Society Inc

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/a2ADnlFbZJkKjhdg6uda5j

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