To be considered for this position, submit your resume/CV and salary
requirements to [email protected].
POSITION: Senior Plant Ecologist
POSITION SUMMARY:
Develops and implements ecosystem assessment, natural recovery, and
habitat restoration projects related to plant communities of Santa
Catalina Island, other Channel Islands and Southern California
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Develops an innovative and comprehensive program with a focus
on ecological processes and restoration techniques that facilitate the
recovery of plant communities, especially chaparral and woodland
communities, within natural and human dominated landscapes of Santa
Catalina Island, other Channel Islands and Southern California
· Evaluates past and current status of plant communities.
· Implements a long-term plant community assessment program for Santa
Catalina Island
· Determines restoration priorities based on Conservancy plans,
restoration potential, and funding.
· Conducts on-the-ground habitat restoration that may include
invasive species control, manipulation of hydrological regimes, habitat
restoration and revegetation.
· Through the use of GIS, works with GIS Manager in maintaining a
database for all data collected.
· Identify appropriate protocols for monitoring and research
necessary to evaluate habitat restoration success and adapt management
to accomplish long-term objectives.
· Through appropriate statistical and other methods, analyzes and
reports on all monitoring and research conducted.
· Develops restoration program for island oak-dominated ecosystems
(Quercus pacific, Q. tomentella)
2. Recommends to Chief of Conservation and Education appropriate
resource management practices to improve the ability of the Conservancy
to accomplish the mission of Conservation, Education and Recreation.
3. Effectively communicates project, data collection, and research
results through appropriate professional organizations and publications,
Staff training and technical direction, presentations for general public
and internal publications and external media.
4. Aggressively identifies and pursues funding opportunities from
foundations, organizations and government agencies to assist in
financing restoration projects, research, and appropriate data
collection.
5. Coordinates, stimulates, and assists in planning and
implementing habitat restoration and monitoring projects with government
agencies and NGOs, universities, and colleges that benefit the
conservation of natural areas and open space in the Channel Islands and
Southern California.
6. Assists in developing and managing operating and capital
budgets, including purchasing services and materials, preparation of
capital equipment specifications, and coordinates budget expenditures.
7. Develops, supervises and coordinates requisition of services,
materials and supplies, coordinates the maintenance and care of
equipment/tools, maintains payroll and human resource records for
assigned employees and develops, coordinates, trains, and implements
safety policy and procedures for assigned areas.
8. Performs duties in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a
safe work environment. Responds to hazardous situations/potentially
unsafe conditions by taking corrective action and notifies supervisor.
9. Works closely with Director of Conservation and Wildlife on
project implementation, data collection, and long term monitoring.
Keeps the Chief of Conservation and Education informed of essential
issues.
10. Updates and enhances knowledge by continuing education for
professional growth, i.e., attends relevant conferences, seminars and
certification programs.
11. Submits a yearly work program.
12. Performs other duties as needed or assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
· Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing
large-scale plant community assessments using standard vegetation
monitoring protocols.
· Strong experience in project management of habitat
restoration projects.
· Management experience in supervising professional and
non-professional employees, and volunteers.
· Demonstrated experience in budget management and grant
writing and implementation.
· Demonstrated proficiency in application of computers and
software including database, statistical software, GIS and GPS with
ability to construct and produce reports, data input, manipulation and
analysis.
· Strong botanical and taxonomic skills and ability to become
quickly proficient in the flora of Santa Catalina Island. Familiarity
with Southern California flora, ecology and natural history desirable.
· Strong working knowledge of principles relating to ecosystem
management and restoration.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
· Excellent communication skills (verbal and written),
visioning, and problem solving
· Ability to analyze diverse facts and develop clear, concise
reports and recommendations.
· Understanding of the social, legal, and ecological basis for
land management policies that influence habitat restoration and
implications to ecosystem services.
· 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.
· Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in
writing.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
· Demonstrated interpersonal, oral and written skills.
· Supervisory responsibility for administrative, professional
and volunteer staff and department, including training and development.
Establish clear directions, set stretch objectives.
· Development and administration of program budgets.
· Pursue funding opportunities and assist in grant writing.
· Must possess a positive customer service attitude and
positive image to all stakeholder groups.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
M.A. or M.S. in ecology, environmental science, biogeography,
conservation biology, botany, biology, or equivalent from an accredited
institution or an equivalent combination of education and professional
experience in ecological research with an emphasis on vascular plants
and plant communities, habitat restoration, and monitoring and
assessment of plant communities.
DEMANDS:
· Employee must live and work on Catalina Island
· 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.
· 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. The office environment has moderate
noise levels and is a non‑smoking environment. 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.
John J. Mack
Chief Conservation and Education Officer
Catalina Island Conservancy
125 Claressa Avenue
Avalon, California 90704
(310) 510-1299
[email protected]
www.catalinaconservancy.org
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