Catalina Island Conservancy Plant Ecologist
REPORTS TO: Senior Plant Ecologist
SUMMARY: The Plant Ecologist collects and manages data for multiple
inventory, monitoring, and research projects. The position involves a
combination of field and office work.
DEADLINE: until filled. We will be interviewing qualified applicants as we
receive their resumes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Collect and manage data for multiple vegetation inventory, monitoring,
and research projects which provide baseline information, track plant
community changes, and assess the effects of natural and human-caused
processes and events (such as fire or the effect of introduced herbivores
and/or their removal) at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
- Enter data using appropriate word processing, database, and
spreadsheet programs.
- Conduct rare plant and habitat surveys and monitoring of selected
populations. Design and implement rare plant and habitat protection
strategies and research projects as appropriate.
- Assist in the preparation of progress reports and final reports for
ongoing studies.
- Assist in the preparation and submission of manuscripts for publication.
- Utilize GPS units to collect field data. Incorporate data into the
Conservancys geographic information system (GIS). Manage, analyze, and
maintain organization of the Conservancys plant GIS database to make it
readily usable by Conservation (and other) Department staff.
- Supervise one or more field assistants, volunteers, and contractors as
needed.
- Provide assistance and information to visiting researchers, other
island landowners and entities, and other Conservancy staff (including
Education, Communications, Development, Trails, and Facilities Maintenance)
as appropriate.
- Participate in departmental work days including outplanting, invasive
plant removal, plant propagation, cleaning, and other organizational functions.
- Give periodic presentations to the general public and staff. Compose
and gather material for organizational newsletters, publications, and
website. Assist in the development of informational pamphlets, signage, and
other materials.
- Maintain photomonitoring points. Re-locate historical photograph
sites and assess changes to island vegetation. Contribute to and manage a
library of plant, habitat, project, and landscape photographs.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education: B.A. or B.S. in botany, biology, environmental studies, or
equivalent from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of
education and professional experience in natural resource monitoring. An
educational institution recognized as accredited by the U.S. Department of
Education must have issued degrees. Degrees issued by educational
institutions outside the U.S. must include documentation validating the
equivalency of that degree to the same degree in the U.S. to be considered.
Experience: The successful applicant will demonstrate most or all of the
following qualifications:
- Experience in implementing diverse natural community and
species-specific monitoring and research programs along with quantitative
analysis of collected data and report preparation.
- Experience identifying plants to the sub-species level using taxonomic
keys essential.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Familiarity with flora, fauna, natural communities, ecology and
natural history of the ecoregion desired. Familiarity with island ecology,
conservation biology, ecological restoration, southern California fire
ecology and management and impacts of invasive plant and animal species also
desired.
- Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to set and meet goals and
deadlines. Ability to work on several projects simultaneously. Good
organizational and time management skills with attention to detail. Ability
to resolve complex issues independently, find creative solutions, and make
sound decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
- Ability to effectively communicate complex biological and conservation
principles to diverse audiences.
- Ability to function flexibly and effectively in a complex
organizational environment with a range of different departments and
operations.
- Ability to work both independently or as part of a team is essential.
- Familiarity with federal and state environmental laws and regulations
related to listed species, wetlands and streambeds a plus.
- Supervisory experience in managing employees, volunteers and others
with varying skills a plus.
Technical skills: Knowledge of basic word processing and database programs
needed. Experience with GPS and GIS a plus. Possession of Class C Drivers
License required. Four wheel drive experience a plus. Photography skills,
particularly macro-scale, desirable. Experience using both manual and power
tools and CPR/first aid certification a plus. Careful and conscientious;
attention to detail essential. Experience with graphics and design software
such as Adobe Photoshop and Pagemaker a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of
those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential
functions of this job. Position involves functioning in both field and
office environments. Field work involves manual labor; hiking long
distances over rugged terrain and through dense scrub; and routine handling
of plants. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust
focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the
essential functions of this job. The office environment has moderate noise
levels and is a non-smoking environment. Field conditions are strongly
weather-dependent and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending
on season and degree of exposure. Smoking is allowed only at limited
designated field sites. Work may be conducted independently or with groups
of staff and volunteers. Hiking conditions include steep, rugged terrain
with occasionally unstable rocky substrate and cactus. Wild animals,
including bison and rattlesnakes, may also be encountered in the field and
pose some threat. Must be willing to live and work on Catalina.
SALARY LEVEL: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Competitive
(non-profit) benefits package may include group medical and hospital
insurance, group life insurance, sick leave, workers compensation
insurance, unemployment compensation, state disability insurance, and
customary mileage and travel allowance. Normal 40-hour work week with some
limited unpaid overtime. Limited travel required off-island.
TO APPLY:
For further details or to submit cover letter and résumé, contact:
Lynndy Kennedy, HR Consultant
Santa Catalina Island Conservancy
330 Golden Shore #170
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 437-8555 ext. 232
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
