Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant II – Alabama

Whooping Crane Outreach Program Assistant II – Alabama

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is looking for a community-oriented team member in Alabama to contribute to education and engagement initiatives and lead outreach conservation efforts for the Sandhill Crane and endangered Whooping Crane. This opportunity is for 7 months, starting September 2024 and ending March 2025 with a salary of $16.00 an hour. Housing will be provided at no cost to the incumbent through our partnership with Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, located at 2700 Refuge Headquarters Rd Decatur, AL 35603.

What is it like to work at ICF? Prepare to be surrounded by people who are passionate for our mission, dedicated to the organization and engaged with their fellow staff and associates. Our ICF team is committed to fulfilling the dream that started 50 years ago.

Position Summary:

The Outreach Program Assistant II supports the mission of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) by leading outreach programs, forming community-based partnerships, coordinating volunteers, resolving threats to cranes, and collaborating with refuge staff in order to preserve and grow the Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane populations.

The incumbent will be supported by the Lead Outreach Biologist and work closely with the Outreach Biologist Assistant.  The Outreach Program Assistant II will lead community outreach efforts including engaging with hunters, naturalists, K-12 audiences, volunteers, and more across northern Alabama. September 2024 is spent working at the International Crane Foundation headquarters in Baraboo, WI where they will begin onboarding and training. During this time, the Outreach Program Assistant II will receive free housing.  In October, the Outreach Program Assistant II will move to Alabama for the duration of their position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary duties of the Outreach Program Assistant II will be to conduct the Whooping Crane awareness program in Alabama and contribute to monitoring on the wintering grounds of the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes and Greater Sandhill Cranes. 

• Provide virtual and in-person outreach programming to K-12 classrooms, civic organizations, hunting groups, gun clubs, birding groups, zoos, and other key organizations near Whooping Crane use areas or in large cities.
• Form and maintain partnerships with hunters, landowners, volunteers, partners, and other citizens who monitor or keep watch over the Whooping Cranes in their areas.
• Assist ICF staff with outreach efforts to raise awareness about Whooping Cranes in Alabama, including media interviews, leading naturalist programs, contributing written articles or social media posts, and coordinating the distribution of marketing materials.
• Train and coordinate volunteers to help ICF at outreach events.
• Coordinate the distribution of marketing materials.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Work cooperatively with individuals across departments, making valuable contributions to shared projects and assisting with the outputs of others. Commit to the free sharing of information and technical expertise as needed. Communicate clearly and effectively within a team.
• Receive training on delivering Whooping Crane programs to all ages in the first two weeks of the position. Work with our outreach team to give presentations to adults and K-12 audiences, either online or in-person.
• Work with hunters through hunter education classroom and online courses to raise awareness about Whooping Cranes.
• Enter data into a shared database in a timely fashion after completing outreach programs or collecting other data in the field.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Oral communication: Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate conservation messages to a wide range of audiences, from individuals to lecture halls.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Work cooperatively with individuals across departments, making valuable contributions to shared projects and assisting with outputs of others.
• Written Communication: Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to effectively proofread and edit reports and correspondence in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner while utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
• Detail-oriented: Carefully monitors the details and quality of own and others’ work, ensuring accuracy and effectiveness of projects and products.Setting goals and reaching them.
• Organization and Time Management: Manage multiple concurrent and competing priorities in a fast-paced workplace, using appropriate manual and electronic resources to ensure timely completion.
• Customer Service: Very strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, landowners, volunteers, and partners showing respect and sensitivity for others; inspire trust; and work with integrity.
• Project Management: Demonstrated experience independently leading projects, providing metrics of milestones and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently on project planning and coordinating with external partners.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in biology or another relevant field.
• Valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Experience with public speaking, diverse partnerships, and volunteer management.
• Experience with field data collection, point count surveys, and band resighting.
• Access to a vehicle for travel. Your mileage costs will be reimbursed.
• Tolerance is needed for working in difficult conditions and potentially long days often spent in vehicles.
• Work as a constructive member of a team, and commitment to the free sharing of information and technical expertise as needed.
• Experience delivering programs via online platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background relating to wildlife conservation, education, or biology preferred
• Proficiency with basic Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and PowerPoint
• Experience working with volunteers to achieve desired results; delegate work; train and encourage skill development; access and provide feedback on individual performance.
• Exceptional customer service, proficient public speaking skills and the ability to teach diverse audiences in a non-formal setting.
• Experience conducting field work including radio telemetry, behavioral observation, and trail camera deployment.
• Demonstrated a strong interest/background in the fields of interpretation, environmental education, conservation biology, ornithology, education, graphic design, film/documentary production, or other related fields.

Physical Abilities and Work Environment:

• Ability to operate computers and phones.
• Ability to communicate with fellow staff and the general public. Communication will include both one-to-one communication, small, and large group communication.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for five to seven hours a day.
• Occasionally required to lift and move items up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in difficult conditions for long periods of time.
• Ability to travel to Wisconsin and regional program sites in Alabama.
• Ability to use optics to read bands and gather behavioral information.
• Ability to work outside in all types of weather.

To apply send cover letter and resume as single document to icfjobs@savingcranes.org  Please list subject as:  Outreach Alabama

“ICF is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We hire great people.”

To learn more about ICF’s commitment to these principles read our Statement of Equity and Belonging at  https://savingcranes.org/about/statement-on-equity-and-belonging/

   ICF is an equal opportunity employer.