Pesticide Program Specialist

JOB TITLE: Pesticide Program Specialist

LOCATION: Remote based position, flexible within the United States. Candidates must have a home office location suitable for work purposes, with good internet access, and must work from a city/state location approved by Xerces as their permanent work location

COMPENSATION: 5,085.60 per month/ $61,027.20 per year,

JOB START DATE: October 1, 2024 (negotiable)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 8/15/2024

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. Invertebrates are essential to the reproduction of most flowering plants, including many fruits, vegetables, and nuts; they play an important role in pest management; and they are a critical food source for birds, fish, and other animals. Yet invertebrate populations are often imperiled by human activities and rarely accounted for in traditional conservation.

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 home gardeners, decision makers, farmers and land managers to manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found in diverse landscapes including 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 Pesticide Program Director, the Pesticide Program Specialist will advocate for policies that protect invertebrates and broader environmental health from the risks posed by pesticide use. The work will focus on built spaces, namely towns and cities. This position will work at the local, state and to a lesser degree at the federal level. Work will include efforts to influence decisions made by agencies and elected officials.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of Xerces’ Pesticide Team helping design and fulfill program goals. Key program areas that the Specialist will engage in include: designing and advocating for conservation-minded local and state policies, supporting policy engagement by local Bee City/Campus USA affiliates, responding to federal actions, and possibly incentivizing practices that reduce pesticide use.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As part of a multi-person Pesticide Program team and in coordination with our Policy Director, and Outreach team, the Specialist will:

• Initiate and support efforts to enact local and state policies to reduce the environmental impacts of pesticide use in built spaces. Policy efforts will include efforts to influence actions by both agencies and elected officials.
• Work with Bee City/Campus USA Coordinator to help ensure affiliates have strong pest management policies.
• Work closely with Xerces staff, local decision makers, and partners to develop and implement joint strategies to promote and support policies that reduce the environmental impacts of pesticide use.
• Assess laws, ordinances, regulations, protocols, procedures to find ways to address environmental concerns through policy.
• Stay abreast of science related to pesticides and invertebrates to inform policy options.
• Track and participate in public hearings and comment periods to affect policy outcomes.
• Assist in creation and dissemination of pesticide related outreach materials. Materials could include fact sheets, position papers and model policies.
• Design, coordinate and present workshops and other trainings.
• Report to and maintain regular communication with the Pesticide Program Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Knowledge of the risks pesticides pose to invertebrates and broader environmental health with a willingness to develop deeper knowledge of pesticides and their risks.
• Understanding of federal pesticide regulations.
• Background and/or interest in grassroots lobbying, direct lobbying, organizing, networking and/or policy engagement.
• Ability to review scientific research and use findings in policy reform.
• Knowledge of urban Integrated Pest Management or other ecologically sound practices and strategies for reducing negative impacts of pest management on pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific information related to pesticides, pesticide usage, and impacts on invertebrates to a range of audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English with strong public speaking skills for diverse audiences that include conservation partners, policymakers, and others.
• Extremely dependable, organized, and with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under tight deadlines, delivering high quality results.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Ability to occasionally travel out of town overnight.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

PREFERRED

• Knowledge of the ecology of pollinators and other insects of interest (e.g., natural enemies and pest species).
• Ability to use social media and other platforms to build campaigns and engage people.
• Experience with graphics, formatting, and design of materials into a visually compelling and informative format.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) or multilingual (including English and Spanish).

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s in environmental policy, toxicology, entomology, ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, or related field degree with at least two years of experience in a relevant field.
• Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree in environmental policy, toxicology, ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, entomology, or related field degree with 2 or more years of experience in a relevant field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Candidate must be able to work from an office in their home.
• Able to work in a stationary position such as a desk for periods of 1-8 hours.
• Occasionally drive vehicle or fly by commercial airline for periods of up to 8 hours.
• Able to move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 20 lbs.

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

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package: thirteen paid holidays including two floating holidays that may be used for a personal or religious holiday observed by the employee or other occasion per policy, paid time off, paid health, dental, and disability insurance, option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, participation in a 401k retirement program upon eligibility 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: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/List/4579/Xerces-Society-Inc

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; https://xerces.org/job-opportunities.

Xerces Society Inc

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