Endangered Species Conservation Biologist

JOB TITLE: Endangered Species Conservation Biologist (Two open positions)

LOCATION: One position will have a location in Colorado or Utah (preferred), will consider locations in Wyoming or Nevada; the second position will be in Montana. Employee is required to have a suitable home office with good internet access and work from a location approved by Xerces.

COMPENSATION: 5,085.60 per month, $61,027.20 annualized

JOB START DATE: March 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 2, 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 is happy to provide 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.

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 three dynamic conservation biologists, skilled in community (aka citizen or participatory) science and bumble bee conservation to launch a bumble bee atlas project across five western states (MT, WY, CO, UT, NV; hereafter project region).

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, and working closely with the Senior Conservation Biologist, Bumble Bee Conservation Lead (Portland, OR office) and other members of the Xerces bumble bee conservation team, the successful candidates will collaborate with federal, state and regional partners to develop and manage a regional bumble bee atlas throughout project region. The candidates may also support other regional Atlas projects, depending on location and experience.

Building off the success of the Xerces Society’s other bumble bee atlas projects throughout North America (bumblebeeatlas.org), the selected candidates will collaboratively focus on developing and implementing region-specific sampling protocols, 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 applicants will also conduct outreach to the regions with diverse and traditionally underserved communities to encourage broad participation in this community science project and other conservation programs. The ideal candidates 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 project region. The two positions will ideally be based in Colorado or Utah and Montana. Please indicate your preferred location(s) in your cover letter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species and Pollinator Program staff, the people who fill these positions will:

• Develop and launch a Bumble Bee Atlas in the project region harnessing the participation of community scientists and other key partners, using other Xerces Society bumble bee atlas projects as a model.
• Collaborate with partners at state and federal wildlife and land management agencies, and the research community, to learn more about bumble bee species in need of conservation and recovery action. Train others in survey methods, identification, protection, and recovery of these species.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver virtual and in-person training events for Atlas volunteers throughout the four-state area.
• Accurately identify bumble bees from submitted photos and maintain a database of observations and associated data.
• Analyze collected data for spatial patterns and communicate results using ArcGIS Online, or similar tools.
• Use appropriate communication channels (website, social media, traditional media, email, etc.) to recruit and coordinate with project volunteers, project partners, and the general public.
• During the field season (approx. June-August) spend approximately 30% of the time traveling to conduct fieldwork and deliver training events, at times in remote areas.
• Travel out-of-town for multiple days (approximately 6 overnights per month, potentially more, during the field season) to support the Bumble Bee Atlas and related projects.
• Potentially support other Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas Projects and engage in other endangered species and pollinator conservation projects with the Xerces Society.
• Follow all applicable Xerces Society policies, including those related to overnight and remote fieldwork, and COVID-19 safety protocols.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, salaried, exempt positions, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Schedule may be flexible and the opportunity for partial or full-time remote work location can be made, depending on job-specific requirements.

BENEFITS: These positions includes a generous benefits package including; thirteen paid holidays, paid time off accrued 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.

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.

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

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.

Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience with bumble bee (or another closely related insect) survey and identification techniques; working knowledge of bumble bee conservation issues.
• Experience working with volunteers and building diverse coalitions.
• Ability to develop equitable partnerships and work collaboratively with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders alongside other Xerces Society staff members.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clear emails, and technical documents for diverse audiences.
• Exceptional verbal communication, presentation, and public speaking skills for diverse audiences that include community scientists, land managers, conservation partners, and others.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple, complex projects, to prioritize work, and to consistently deliver high quality work products on schedule.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Google Workspace, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Project management skills including staff and/or volunteer oversight.
• Experience planning and executing field work including data collection, entry, and analysis.
• Possession of a strong conservation ethic.

PREFERRED

• Familiarity with bumble bees and region-specific conservation issues in the project region.
• Knowledge of native plant and weed identification in the project region.
• An understanding of the conservation organizations that work in the project region and an ability to develop partnerships to further the goals of the Bumble Bee Atlas program.
• Experience with GIS software (including all ESRI products and apps) as well as spatial data analysis.
• Proven capacity to manage databases, including database development, management, and query.
• Web design and social media communication experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• A Bachelor’s degree (graduate degree preferred) in natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, or similar. More than 4 years of experience and demonstrated success in conservation planning, pollinator or wildlife conservation,
• 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.
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PREFERRED

• Graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, or similar.

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;
• Seldom to occasionally drive a vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours;
• Seldom to occasionally Work outdoors in the field for 8-10 hours per day, often in sparsely populated, remote locations and under potentially adverse or difficult conditions such as high heat and humidity, rain, thunderstorms, darkness, biting and stinging insects and other dangerous wildlife (snakes, large mammals), or abrasive or poisonous vegetation, among others.
• Seldom to occasionally traverse across unpaved roads, walkways, fields and unimproved trails for periods of 1-8 hours, carrying 30 pounds of material or equipment.
• Seldom to occasionally hike on unimproved trails, sometimes at high elevation, carrying equipment up to 30 pounds, for periods of 10 hours.
• Travel overnight when necessary for meetings, project assessments, implementation, meetings, or planning.

Xerces Society Inc

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