Conservation Biologist/Ecologist BMAP Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Job Description: The Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CCES) of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) is seeking a highly motivated Conservation Biologist to provide expert advice in the desing and implementation of a Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Program (BMAP) in Northern British Columbia, Canada. The job requires woking with professionals from the Smithsonian, University of Northern Brithish Columbia, Alchipelago Marine Research, Kitimat LNG and and PTP., in the development and implementation of a BMAP framework, including research and monitoring protocol development and peer review, providing guidance to the project management team, preparing scientific publications and reports for the project, and desing and implementing specific components of the project as requested. Background: SCBI conducts research to study, understand, predict, and monitor the impact of infrastructure development projects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. SCBI creates new knowledge that is used by responsible industry partners to develop and implement best practices that limit adverse impacts on biodiversity. Guided by the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity, SCBI works with a selected group of oil and gas companies since 1996 to develop models designed to achieve conservation and sustainable development objectives while also protecting and conserving biodiversity, and maintaining vital ecosystem services that benefit both humans and wildlife. CCES is collaborating with the company Apache Canada Ltd. The company plans to build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant, a LNG storage, and marine on-loading facilities in Northern British Columbia, Canada. The gas will be delivered by a 470 km pipeline. CCES is advising in the design and implementation of the BMAP that will make a complementary and significant contribution to the Project by evaluating and monitoring the status and trends of ecological units and habitats within the areas of influence of the project. This will combine an evaluation and documentation of actions and tasks to avoid, mitigate and restore habitats responding to specific questions that will link the biodiversity studies to Project needs. Responding to the questions as research continues and construction is underway will allow the incorporation of learnings into construction and operational practices. Information will be conveyed to company managers so they can use adaptive management principles to mitigate both primary and secondary impacts. Qualifications: The successful applicant will have: 1) a PhD in conservation biology, ecology, biology, or a related discipline, 2) three to five year field research experience with knowledge of statistics, 3) a good publication record; 4) excellent oral and writing communication skills, and 5) strong organizational and project management skills. Intermediate or high level GIS experience is also desirable. The position is for a two year appointment with potential for extension depending on funding. Position will be based in Washington DC with periodical trips to British Columbia. Applicants should email: 1) a letter of interest detailing qualifications for the position, 2) curriculum vitae and 3) contact information for 3 professional references with contact information (institution, email address, phone number) to Sulema Castro at [email protected]. Please include Conservation Biologist/Ecologist BMAP application in the subject line of the email. Salary: It will be determined based on qualifications. Deadline to submit applications: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Interviews will be conducted the week of March 25, 2013.
