Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator

Pima County Conservation Lands and Resources Department is seeking a Biologist (Conservation Science Program Coordinator) to assist with the implementation of the Pima County Ecological Monitoring Program (PCEMP), a key feature of the County’s Multispecies Conservation Plan (MSCP) Endangered Species Act Section 10 permit. Approximately 40% of the successful candidate’s time will be spent as part of a field team collecting field data related to plant and animal populations and their habitats involving fieldwork in often challenging environmental conditions. Office work includes technical writing, inter-departmental coordination, data synthesis, management, and organization using ArcGIS and other tools, and other duties as assigned that will make up about 60% of the position’s requirements. There may be some supervisory responsibilities for intermittent staff, volunteers, and/or consultants.

Must include with your application:

• A letter stating why you are interested in this position.
• At least one original written work as the main author from a university, college, or professional setting. These may include a thesis or dissertation, publication, technical report, or other written product related to the environmental or biological sciences, or natural resource management. Include the written work with your application.

Duties/Responsibilities

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor. 

• Performs field-based inventory and monitoring activities, working together with other County staff and/or consultants for plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, and their habitats;
• Assists in the design and implementation of a variety of specialized field monitoring protocols, techniques, methods, and tools to determine trends and conditions of resources;
• Demonstrates knowledge of Sonoran Desert plant and animal ecology and identification, particularly as required to assist with implementation of the Ecological Monitoring Program;
• Conducts field work in physically challenging conditions including extreme terrain and climatic conditions, as required by key programmatic areas of duties, including the Ecological Monitoring Program;
• Plans for and prepares for field monitoring activities, including ensuring appropriate equipment, information and property access information is ready and complete;
• Creates, maintains, and analyzes data using computer technologies, including statistical analysis software packages, geographic information systems, data collection applications, GPS, spreadsheets, and word processing programs;
• Utilizes written and oral communication to document, report on, or assess biological or ecological monitoring data, as well as to make conservation-related recommendations about such findings to County departments, external agencies, or members of the public;
• Assists with the management and implementation of programs, including the Ecological Monitoring Program, by training and supervision of interns or other staff;
• Creates outreach material such as web content, newsletters, and project summaries for diverse audiences, including the public and external partners that address program objectives, goals, and achievements, including for the Ecological Monitoring Program;
• Collaborates with internal County or inter-agency teams tasked with ensuring stewardship and conservation of County conservation lands and the natural resources therein.

Minimum Qualifications

(1) A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in natural resource management, environmental science, conservation biology, biology, wildlife biology, botany, or closely-related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND two years of relevant experience in natural resource management and/or conservation. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

OR:

(2) Five years of experience with Pima County in a job classification whose primary tasks include management, monitoring, and/or conservation of open space lands.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write “see resume” on your application.

Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Minimum three (3) years of field experience applying various methods to inventory or monitor plants, animals, and/or vegetation.
• Minimum two (2) years of work experience in the desert southwest (US/Mexico) conducting biological fieldwork on plants and/or animals, preferably in the Sonoran Desert or associated riparian systems.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience with data analysis and management principles, practices, and programs.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience storing and managing geospatial data in ArcGIS or QGIS platform.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience creating written, oral, and web-based communication such as technical reports, publications, public presentations, and the generation of web-based content to communicate an organization’s goals/achievements.
• A graduate degree (MA, MS, PhD) in natural resource management, environmental science, conservation biology, biology, wildlife biology, botany, or closely related field.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidates from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.   

Supplemental Information
Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. 

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. 

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Ability to lift and carry at least 40 lbs., and to stoop, kneel, crouch, reach up with hands/arms, climb and balance. Capable of performing fieldwork (often during irregular and long hours) in the extreme environmental conditions in the desert Southwest, especially summer heat and rugged/remote terrain, including operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in remote areas. Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more and 20 inches or less.
Ability to judge distance and space relationships. Precise eye-hand coordination and concentrated attention.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.