JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Conservation Associate, Endangered Species and Wetland Bioassessment
JOB TITLE
Conservation Associate
BACKGROUND
The Xerces Society is an international, nonprofit
organization that protects wildlife through the
conservation of invertebrates and their habitat.
We educate the public and decision-makers about
the importance of invertebrates and work to
protect habitat for these critically important
animals. For over three decades, the Society has
been at the forefront of invertebrate
conservation, harnessing the knowledge of
scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to
implement conservation programs. The Xerces
Society operates at the national and
international level, and is headquartered in
Portland Oregon. Currently the Society has 10
employees and an annual budget of over $700,000.
SCOPE
Under the direction of the Endangered Species
Coordinator and the Aquatic Conservation
Coordinator, the Conservation Associate will work
on a variety of conservation projects related to
endangered species conservation, aquatic
invertebrate monitoring, and other conservation issues that arise.
MAJOR JOB ACTIVITIES
The Conservation Associate will work on a variety
of projects related to rare and endangered
species conservation and aquatic invertebrate
monitoring in wetlands. Approximately 2/3 of the
time will be spent determining the status of rare
and endangered invertebrate species. Primary
responsibilities will include: conducting
literature reviews, contacting scientists,
synthesizing scientific information, assessing
species status, and writing reports.
Approximately 1/3 of the Conservation Associates
time will be spent as a field assistant for a
wetland invertebrate biological assessment study
during the Spring of 2009. Field work will
involve non-standard work weeks, long days, and
some overnight travel. Major responsibilities
include: acquiring and organizing supplies and
equipment, preparing and calibrating equipment
for field use, participating in site
reconnaissance, and leading a team to conduct
field sampling of invertebrates and perform water
quality testing at numerous wetlands in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
* Bachelors degree (graduate degree strongly
preferred) in entomology, ecology, conservation
biology, natural resource management, or 3-5
years experience in conservation science, and/or
equivalent combination of education and
experience; experience in entomology is preferred
* Able to use GPS and mapping technologies,
ArcGIS software, and other common applications
(Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Web browsers, Google Earth)
* Excellent writing skills
* Able to analyze and interpret scientific
data and prepare reports of findings
* Knowledge of species (especially
invertebrates), natural communities, ecosystems,
ecological processes, and biodiversity conservation
* Able to communicate effectively with
scientists, nonscientists and agency staff
* Able to work cooperatively as part of a team
* Able to work independently on assigned tasks
* Able to manage complex or multiple projects efficiently
* Able to work in the field under potentially
adverse weather conditions for long hours
* Extremely dependable, punctual, and with great attention to detail
* Able to lift and carry 40 pounds
* Current drivers license and good driving record
Additional knowledge and skills
* Prior field experience
* Ability to develop creative ideas to improve conservation strategies
* Knowledge of endangered species, aquatic
invertebrates and wetland ecology
* An understanding of entomology
* Experience with ecological field experiments
* A good sense of humor
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT
Overnight travel will be required during the
field season and will comprise approximately 20%
of scheduled hours for the entire
position. Field work will involve non-standard
work weeks, long days, and some overnight travel.
The Conservation Associate may have to work in
variable weather conditions, at remote locations,
on difficult terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
TERMS
The Xerces Society is an equal opportunity,
at-will employer committed to workforce
diversity. This is a full time, one-year
position with the potential for extension.
SALARY
$27,000 - $32,000 depending on experience. During
the field season, the Xerces Society will cover
the costs of any required overnight stays, travel, and meals.
BENEFITS
This position includes a generous benefits
package: eleven paid holidays and two weeks of
vacation accrued after first year; eight percent
additional salary toward health coverage; and a
flexible work environment. If the position is
extended beyond one year, eight percent of the
base pay will be contributed toward a SEP
retirement account, beginning in January of the
calendar year following the first full year of employment.
LOCATION
The Xerces Society office is located in Portland,
OR. Approximately 80% of the work required for
this position will take place in the Portland
office, and the remaining 20% will be conducted
in wetlands throughout Oregons Willamette
Valley, primarily in the regions around Portland, Salem, and Eugene.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the Xerces Society and
our programs, please see our website. www.xerces.org
APPLICATION
Individuals interested in this position should
e-mail a single document that includes a cover
letter, résumé, writing sample and names and
contact information for three references as a
single attachment in MS Word or Adobe PDF file to:
Logan Lauvray
RE: Conservation Associate Position
The Xerces Society
4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97215
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
We have limited staff time, so we appreciate no phone calls to our office!
DEADLINE
Monday, August 11, 2008
________________________________________
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
The Xerces Society is an international, nonprofit organization that
protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their
habitat. To join the Society, make a contribution, or read about our
work, please visit <http://www.xerces.org/>www.xerces.org
Sarina Jepsen
Endangered Species Coordinator
4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97215
tel: 503-232-6639 fax: 503-233-6794
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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