Job Title: Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist Salary Range: $45,000-$55,000 Hours/Benefits: Full time with competitive benefits Application deadline: 01/15/2009
PRBO Background PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) advances conservation through avian ecology and ecosystem research. PRBO is a rapidly growing, non-profit organization with expertise in avian ecology, population biology, spatial ecology, ecosystem science, conservation applications (including endangered species recovery, land and ocean management, ecological restoration, inventory and monitoring, and policy) as well as public education. PRBO plays a lead role nationally and internationally in applying bird and ecosystem studies to address critical conservation issues. For additional information, see www.prbo.org<http://www.prbo.org>. Background Shorebird populations in North America have experienced recent declines and they face additional pressures from changes in land use and climate. Unfortunately, there is little information on shorebird population trends in the Pacific Flyway to guide conservation efforts. We need a timely and cost-effective way to detect how these environmental changes affect shorebirds, and to set priorities and evaluate conservation effectiveness. Hemispherically-significant proportions of Pacific Flyway shorebird populations concentrate in California during migration and in winter. In winter, California hosts over three-quarters of all shorebirds in the three Pacific states of the continental United States. To better understand how ongoing landscape changes in California are affecting shorebird populations and to evaluate shorebird conservation efforts, a long-term, largely volunteer-based monitoring program to provide a coherent view of shorebird population status, trends and responses to environmental changes in the state is needed. Avian Wetland Ecologist PRBO's Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist will lead the design and implementation of a new shorebird monitoring program in California. Responsibilities of this position will include 1) collaborating with shorebird ecologists and statisticians throughout the Western Hemisphere to design a shorebird monitoring and conservation evaluation program, 2) collaborating with PRBO's Informatics Division in designing necessary data entry and data management systems, 3) conducting pilot implementation projects, and 4) conducting preliminary statistical and spatial analyses of existing and newly-collected data to evaluate study design and make recommendations for a long-term monitoring and evaluation program. The successful candidate must work well with a team of collaborators - providing strong leadership - as well as take independent initiative, have excellent quantitative skills, and have a background in avian ecology, ideally with field experience with aquatic birds. Ph.D. preferred, but MS with applicable work experience will also be considered. Responsibilities Program Design, Management and Coordination The Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist will be a co-principal investigator on the monitoring program and associated products. S/he will be responsible for designing and overseeing a largely citizen-science based, long-term monitoring and conservation evaluation program for shorebirds across California that is scientifically sound and logistically feasible. This will require an in-depth understanding of statistical sampling design and analysis, as well as working closely with collaborators and volunteer coordinators to ensure efficient implementation. To begin to link the California program with other efforts in the Pacific Flyway, the Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist will help establish and participate in a communication network of shorebird monitoring collaborators throughout the Flyway. Data management, analysis and synthesis The Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist will have primary responsibility for quality control of data that are collected. After 2 years, s/he will be responsible for a complete report of work accomplished and a final long-term, landscape-scale monitoring plan based on analysis of pilot implementation data and identification of additional pilot studies needed. Monitoring program design will need to dovetail with a foundation of spatial analyses and population and habitat modeling within PRBO and the bird conservation community. The monitoring plan should be ready for peer review and then for implementation by shorebird ecologists, conservation practitioners, and citizen scientists. Additionally, the Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist is expected to author one or more peer-reviewed manuscripts that discuss the monitoring program and its relevance to shorebird conservation. Opportunities to collaborate on additional manuscripts with other PRBO ecologists will be possible. Qualifications * Ph.D. in ecology, natural resource sciences, conservation biology, ornithology, wildlife management, landscape ecology, or MS and significant work experience * Demonstrated skills with field data collection techniques, data management, sampling design, statistical (e.g. power analysis) and spatial analyses - with emphasis on latter two * GIS capabilities highly desirable * Avian (ideally shorebird) research and ecological monitoring experience * Knowledge of shorebird habitat management and conservation challenges * Experience working with partners including government agencies and NGOs * Outstanding communication, coordination, and leadership skills Salary, Benefits, Working Conditions and Funding Salary range is $45,000-$55,000 annually. PRBO offers 100% health care coverage, full dental care, and partial coverage of dependents including domestic partners, per the conditions stated in PRBO's Personnel Manual. This position requires some travel, involves some evenings and weekends, and is based out of Petaluma, California. Funding is secured from 1 February 2009 through 31 January 2011. Longer term employment is possible through this position and will be based on continuation of funding and employee's performance. To Apply E-mail (1) cover letter describing qualifications for this position and interest in PRBO, (2) complete CV/resume, and (3) contact information (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses) for 3 references to Catherine Hickey at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> with "Avian and Wetland Quantitative Ecologist" in the subject line. Applicants may be subject to background checks. Application deadline is January 15, 2009, though position will remain open until a successful candidate has been identified. PRBO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
