Missouri Community Bird Conservation Coordinator

The Missouri Community Bird Conservation (MCBC) program coordinator is a full time, salaried position housed within the Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO).  The MCBC is a guaranteed one-year term position with likelihood of extension based on funding and performance. The MCBC position works in close collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), St. Louis Audubon Society (SLAS), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Migratory Bird Program, and a program steering committee.  The position is based in central Missouri with office space in Columbia and/or Arrow Rock MO, but requires extensive travel throughout the state to engage partners and build community conservation and education opportunities focused on birds.

The MCBC program is based on a shared vision between MRBO, MDC, USFWS, SLAS, and numerous other partners to create systemic change in the way people and their communities engage in conservation. We seek to shift the narrative of people are separate from nature to one where people are connected to birds, other wildlife, and natural resources in an integrated, community-wide fashion. Bird-friendly communities will sustain and improve native bird populations, cultivate ecological integrity in the built environment, and bolster human health and well-being.

Significant components of the MCBC coordinator position include:

• establishing a Bird City Network in Missouri.
• working with colleagues in St. Louis to revise that city’s Urban Bird Treaty (UBT) actions and using the St. Louis model to introduce UBT to other metropolitan areas in Missouri.
• assisting in the coordination of BirdSafe Kansas City, including extensive outreach to potential partners
• to establishing/introducing/growing BirdSafe programs in other municipalities.
• working with partners to educate on and establish Lights Out programs in communities across the state.
• delivering frequent presentations, community events, and other outreach actions throughout Missouri.
• working within communities to adopt conservation practices such as native plantings and actions to reduce bird-window collisions, either as part of Bird City designation or as stand-alone projects.
• contributing regular articles and posts for MRBO and partner newsletters, social media, website(s), and full semi-annual reports.
• attending meetings and conferences from small (e.g. Audubon Chapter meetings) to large (e.g. Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Natural Resources Conference) to promote the MCBC program and related topics.

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in ecology, natural resources, wildlife management, communications or marketing.
• Two to three years of experience in the fields of avian ecology, education, and/or marketing and communications with a focus on environmental issues.
• Enthusiasm for and understanding of how to coordinate and implement the various components of the MCBC program.
• Knowledge of or passion for bird conservation, including knowledge of threats to bird populations and solutions as related to community conservation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to engage a diverse set of non-traditional conservation partners.
• Excellent administrative and coordination skills and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.
• Demonstrated writing and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work with computers to manage a website, update social media, create word processing. documents/spreadsheets, manage/create graphics/photos, and related projects.
• Ability to work independently, with broad direction from MRBO and the steering committee and in collaboration with partner organizations.
• Dedication to environmental conservation and a willingness to serve this cause demonstrated by a high level of initiative, motivation, and energy.
• Encourages and facilitates a spirit of cooperation and trust and fosters a commitment to a positive team spirit.

Preferred:

• An understanding of federal and state agencies and their context within the Missouri conservation community.
• Experience with non-profit organizations and fund-raising.
• Experience working with the media, i.e. for interviews, news releases, printed articles, etc.

Work Environment:
The employee will be provided an Apple laptop computer, printer, relevant software subscriptions, and office supplies. Office space will be available in Columbia and/or Arrow Rock MO. The employee should be prepared to use their own cell phone for work-related business. 

This employee will work independently but with frequent communications with other MRBO staff and program partners. MRBO conducts weekly all-staff meetings alternating between virtual (Zoom), in person, and hybrid formats. Additionally, the MCBC coordinator will meet with the program steering committee on at least a quarterly basis. 

This position requires, and benefits from, extreme flexibility in work scheduling. Frequent evening and weekend work will be required.

Benefits:

• Starting salary of $42,000 annually.
• Monthly health insurance stipend of $300.
• All travel will be pre-paid or reimbursed, to include hotels/Airbnbs, applicable meeting and event registrations, and mileage for personal vehicle use.
• Two weeks paid vacation per year.