FYI... Stefanie Rixecker ECOFEM Coordinator ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE: Regional Ecologist SUPERVISORS: Midwest Director of Science and Chief Ecologist, Home Office LOCATION:The Nature Conservancy, Minneapolis, Minnesota SUMMARY OF POSITION The Regional Ecologist develops, promotes, and applies the midwestern portion of The Nature Conservancy's national vegetation classification in support of conservation planning. Primary activities include the development and application of standard methods of vegetation sampling, mapping and classification, the qualitative and quantitative description of national vegetation types, the analysis of field data, the management and development of information on ecological communities, and the implementation of the vegetation classification and community data for ecoregional and site conservation planning. This work will be done jointly with state Natural Heritage Programs, Conservation Data Centers, TNC Field Offices and the national ecology program of TNC's Conservation Science Division. The Regional Ecologist provides training and technical support to these same programs as needed. In addition, the Regional Ecologist will work with federal and state agencies, the academic community, and private funding sources to foster collaboration and secure financial support for community ecology projects. The Regional Ecologist will manage the regional ecology program and supervise community ecology specialists, community ecology project staff, interns and volunteers. DUTIES: 1. Complete, maintain, and revise the midwest portion of TNC's National Vegetation Classification in collaboration with state Natural Heritage Program, provincial Conservation Data Centers, and TNC Field Office ecologists, and the national ecology team. 2. Represent the midwest region in TNC's national ecology program and ensure national standards for ecological community classification, description, information management, and analysis are implemented throughout the region. Facilitate the incorporation of the classification into the midwestern network of Natural Heritage Programs, Conservation Data Centers, and TNC Field Offices. 3. Provide technical support to TNC conservation planning teams for the purpose of incorporating information on ecological communities and methods into ecoregional, management, monitoring, and site conservation planning. 4. Develop partnerships and collaborate with academic scientists and state, provincial, and federal agency staff to advance TNC's and the Natural Heritage Network's goals in inventory, classification, data management, and conservation of ecological communities. Secure funding from public agencies, corporations, foundations, and private individuals to support this work. 5. Work with state Natural Heritage Programs and TNC Field Offices in the midwestern U.S. to conduct inventories of ecological communities and other projects to fill strategic data gaps and support strategic conservation initiatives. Manage all projects to successful completion on time and within budget. 6. Populate standardized databases on the conservation status and description of ecological communities in the midwest. Develop quantitative databases to maintain information from vegetation plots that will assist TNC and the Natural Heritage Network in classifying, analyzing, and managing information on vegetation communities. REQUIREMENTS: 1. Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred or Masters with equivalent experience) in terrestrial vegetation ecology or closely related field with strong training in community ecology, ecological classification, and statistical analysis. Experience in the application of remote sensing and GIS and with aquatic community classification preferred. 2. Demonstrated knowledge of the vegetation and ecology of the midwestern United States. 3. Computer skills for data management and quantitative analysis highly desirable. 4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to work successfully as a team member on tasks that can only be accomplished through interaction with a diverse array of people and institutions in multiple states. 5. Successful record of grant writing, fundraising, and publication in scientific journals. 6. High motivation to achieve results on deadline, with attention to detail and documentation. 7. Willingness to travel frequently, including occasional weekends. 8. Demonstrated committment to biodiversity conservation. CONTACT: Sara Meyer, Director of Operations, The Nature Conservancy, Minneapolis Satellite Office, 1313 Fifth Street S.E., Suite 314, Minneapolis, MN 55414 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ************************************ Dr. Stefanie S. Rixecker Division of Environmental Management & Design Lincoln University, Canterbury PO Box 84 Aotearoa New Zealand E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fax: 64-03-325-3841 ************************************
