Middle Tennessee Grasslands Coordinator

Grassland loss is the greatest conservation issue facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southern grasslands are nearly extinct, and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southeastern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community, we are only now beginning to realize the extent of our once widespread grasslands. To reverse the decline in grassland biodiversity, our response must be rapid and unprecedented in magnitude. This immensely complex and ambitious challenge will take some of America’s conservation and philanthropy’s brightest and most creative minds to solve. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institute’s team?

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a Middle Tennessee Grasslands Coordinator position. This is a full-time, nontenure-track position. The Middle Tennessee Grasslands Coordinators’ primary role will be to serve the needs of SGI in developing and managing grassland conservation projects across the Middle Tennessee region (e.g., Nashville Basin and Highland Rim regions). In addition to on-the-ground work in grasslands and coordination of broader efforts, this position includes a vital component of grant-writing and report writing to help secure future funding to support this position and to grow additional programming/staffing needs in the Middle TN region. The position will be located in Clarksville, TN. This Coordinator position may work a non-traditional schedule and travel throughout the field season with other SGI team members to reach various project areas, with overnight stays and travel expenses covered through grant funds. Working from home will be possible for a few specific desk-based tasks. This position will report to SGI’s Director of Stewardship.

Austin Peay State University does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee restoration projects in Middle Tennessee and northern Alabama.
• Design and implement restoration, management, and research projects related to grasslands and grassland-related (open woodlands/open wetlands) communities.
• Coordinate and assist in field work related to grassland research, management, restoration, and re-creation, including working with various individuals, organizations, and agencies; must be able to work collaboratively and with a positive attitude with SGI team members and people outside SGI.
• Seek additional funding opportunities and draft grant proposals.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with private, state, national, and international conservation organizations.
• Supervise teams based in the Middle TN region.
• Travel with the restoration team and oversee day-to-day tasks in the field.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, beginning at 5 am to avoid heat-related issues, or occasionally working late hours on time-sensitive needs such as project management or grant proposals.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must be able to hike at least 5 miles in various landscapes, including wetlands, grasslands, forests, and hilly or mountainous terrain.
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, independently in remote places or as part of a team.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods for desk work, including typing and using a laptop or desktop computer, and mobile app technologies.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 1 year of work experience in the coordination, implementation, and design of restoration projects. An M.S. in Botany, Ecology, Plant Biology, Conservation Biology, Restoration Ecology, or related fields is preferred.
• Experience in planning, implementing, and assessing ecological restoration projects. The successful candidate should demonstrate an understanding of ecological restoration prescriptions, outcomes, tools, and practices. Prefer experience with prescribed fire, silvicultural management, seeding, and herbicide application.
• Must have or be willing to obtain pesticide applicator certification within 3 months of the hiring date.
• Knowledge of and prior experience conducting species and natural community inventory, and assessing the ecological quality of various natural communities.
• Knowledge of and prior experience assessing restoration and management needs of grasslands and woodlands, and writing and implementing restoration and management plans.
• Must have good skills with plant identification at the species, genus, and family levels, preferably in eastern North America.
• Prefer the successful candidate to have proficiency in natural history, ecology, and vegetation, preferably in eastern North America.
• Must have good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with various audiences, including laypeople, volunteers, private landowners, interns, academics, business leaders, agency personnel, donors, and other professionals.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both in writing and oral communication, and excellent presentation abilities.
• A successful track record in setting priorities, taking initiative, and multi-tasking.
• Experience using hand-held GPS equipment and/or mobile apps for data collection and navigation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive various vehicles, including 4WD trucks and ATVs.