Endangered Species Conservation Biologist

JOB TITLE: Endangered Species Conservation Biologist

LOCATION: A home-based office located in Georgia or Tennessee preferred (will consider locations in North Carolina). Candidates must have a home office suitable for work purposes, with good internet access, and must work from a city/state location approved by Xerces as their assigned work location.

COMPENSATION: $62,857.68 per year (paid at $2,619.07 semi-monthly)

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

JOB START DATE: March 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 19,2025

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: xerces.org/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 motivated expert who can join our team of endangered species and pollinator conservation specialists to work with regional partners to continue a bumble bee atlas community science project, with an eye toward comprehensive conservation planning for bumble bees of the southeastern United States.

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:

Reporting to the Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Program Bumble Bee Lead (Portland, OR office) and working in collaboration with state and federal wildlife agencies in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina, the Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will build on an existing initiative to conduct a region wide bumble bee atlas project in the southeast using community (aka participatory) science.

Building off the success of the Xerces Society’s other bumble bee atlas projects in the Pacific Northwest, Great Plains and California, the successful candidate, working with state and regional partners, will manage a region wide community science project and use emerging science (from this project and beyond) to develop effective land management strategies for bumble bees and other pollinators throughout the southeastern U.S. The Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will collaboratively focus on coordinating and communicating with partners and community scientists, organizing and delivering training events, conducting field-based habitat and bumble bee surveys, and identifying bumble bees from photographs submitted by project participants. The successful applicant will also conduct outreach to the southeast’s diverse and traditionally underserved communities to encourage broad participation in this community science project and other conservation programs. The ideal candidate will have excellent outreach and presentation skills, as well as experience working with volunteers, managing community science programs, developing and conducting field-based pollinator research projects, and surveying for and identifying bumble bees (Bombus spp.) that occur in the eastern U.S. This position will ideally be based in Georgia or Tennessee, working from a home office (other locations in the four-state region will also be considered).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species and Pollinator Program staff, the person who fills this position will:

• Lead the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas project across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee
• Coordinate with state and federal wildlife agencies and build partnerships throughout the region
• Recruit, train, and coordinate project volunteers
• Manage bumble bee identification, data collection, and database maintenance
• Analyze spatial patterns using GIS tools and develop conservation strategies
• Conduct field surveys and habitat assessments (25% field time during May-September)
• Engage diverse communities in conservation efforts
• Travel for project support (approximately 5 overnight stays per month during field season)
• Support other Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas Projects
• Engage in other endangered species and pollinator conservation projects

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Demonstrated knowledge of bumble bee survey techniques and southeastern species identification
• Experience managing volunteer programs and building diverse coalitions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Project management expertise
• Proficiency with common software applications and social media platforms

PREFERRED

• Experience with GIS software and habitat occupancy modeling
• Database management skills
• Knowledge of southeastern U.S. native plants
• Understanding of regional conservation organizations

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, conservation biology, entomology, or related field (graduate degree preferred). More than four years of experience in conservation planning, pollinator or wildlife conservation, or equivalent experience and substitute for the required degree.
• 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.
• Current U.S. work authorization

PREFERRED

• Master’s Degree in a field listed above.
• Bilingual abilities (English/Spanish)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.
• Able to move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs;
• Occasionally drive a vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours;
• Seldom to Occasionally work outdoors in the field for 1-8 hours per day under potentially adverse weather conditions;
• Seldom to Occasionally traverse across unpaved roads, walkways, fields and unimproved trails for periods of 1-10 hours, carrying 30 pounds of material or equipment.
• Travel overnight when necessary for meetings, project assessments, implementation, meetings, 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: xerces.org/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 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; xerces.org/jobs

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