Point Blue Conservation Science
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Job Title: Sierra Meadow Adaptation Leader
Location: Base location is negotiable (HQ in Petaluma, CA, the Sierra
Nevada, or Sacramento area)
Group: Sierra Nevada Group
Hours/Benefits: Full time w/competitive benefits
Point Blue Conservation Science’s Mission and Vision
Point Blue advances conservation of birds, other wildlife and ecosystems
through innovative research, restoration, outreach and extensive
partnerships. Our highest priority is to reduce the impacts of habitat
loss, climate change and other threats to wildlife and people, while
promoting adaptation to the changes ahead. Point Blue will achieve this
by conducting further research on ecological processes and by developing
and disseminating science-based solutions to mitigate the negative impacts
of these changes. Because of our work today, healthy ecosystems will
continue to support thriving wildlife and human communities in California
and beyond, on land and at sea.
Sierra Meadow Program
Point Blue’s Sierra Meadow Program focuses on catalyzing the Sierra Meadow
Partnership (http://caltrout.org/book/sierra-meadows-
strategy/mobile/index.html) to achieve its goal of restoring/conserving
30,000 acres of Sierra Meadow by 2030. This position will help ensure the
Partnership achieves the acreage target while maximizing ecological
services that will endure for centuries to come. By working with partners
to identify the best places and practices to restore and manage meadows in
the face of climate change, they will increase the ecological benefits of
these restoration and protection activities. Working with government
agencies, NGO’s and other key stakeholders, our approach is to find and
help implement the solutions that best protect wildlife populations, their
habitat, and other ecological services healthy meadows provide. We help
our partners incorporate climate-smart principles into their
prioritizations, restoration designs, easement terms, and management
plans. Our goals: the conservation actions we take in the next 13 years
will sustain vibrant, diverse, ecosystems; enhance ecosystem services;
improve the ability of nature and humans to adapt to change; and use
nature to sequester carbon and reduce climate change impacts whenever
possible.
Job Summary
The Sierra Meadow Adaptation Leader will be responsible for executing the
strategy and achieving the outcomes of Point Blue’s Sierra Meadow Program
(described below). As such, the SMAL will develop and refine Climate-Smart
approaches for restoration practitioners, scientists, land managers, and
land trusts working on meadow conservation in the Sierra Nevada. The SMAL
will help innovate climate smart approaches to meadow restoration and
management. They will help develop and disseminate science-based policy
and natural resource management recommendations.
The SMAL will work as part of Point Blue’s Sierra Meadow Program team and
play the primary role in delivering conservation outcomes to our partners
by integrating the best available science and expertise into conservation
decisions. To be successful, the SMAL will need excellent partnering
skills, ability to interpret science into conservation actions for a
diversity of audiences, a proven track record in fundraising, meeting
facilitation skills, and a solid knowledge of the science relevant to
restoration ecology and climate impacts on the Sierra Nevada ecosystem.
THE SMAL will work extensively with external partners but will also
develop cross organizational projects, especially related to our Climate
Smart Restoration and Water and Wildlife on Working Lands Initiatives.
Supervision will be provided by Point Blue’s Sierra Nevada Group Director.
Essential Functions
Essential responsibilities include but may not be limited to the following
activities:
• Co-develop and drive Point Blue’s Sierra Meadows work plan in
collaboration with appropriate Point Blue staff and external collaborators
to achieve Point Blue’s climate-smart conservation strategic outcomes and
address Sierra Meadow Partnership needs
• Develop/implement Climate-Smart frameworks for Sierra meadow
restoration and land trust acquisitions
• Participate in developing and promoting effective approaches to
climate-smart adaptation, incorporating the latest scientific results and
evolving needs of stakeholders
• Work with Point Blue project leaders and other staff and external
collaborators to develop and deliver science-based recommendations for
specific meadow restoration efforts and for the Sierra Meadow Partnership
overall
• Represent Point Blue at meetings and conferences relevant to
Sierra Meadows, including developing and delivering public presentations
communicating Point Blue scientific findings and recommendations
• Prepare grant proposals to fund Sierra Meadow priorities in
collaboration with partners and other Point Blue staff
• Facilitate cross-organizational climate adaptation project
development
• Lead or participate in the writing of reports, manuscripts, and
other literature.
• Create and manage project budgets
• Be a contributor to our “One Point Blue” culture and assist in
other Point Blue projects as prioritized by the organization
Qualifications
• Must have a passion for nature and conservation
• Undergraduate degree in conservation biology, ecology,
environmental sciences, environmental policy and planning.
• A graduate degree or equivalent experience in similar fields as
above or hydrology, geomorphology, or restoration ecology strongly
preferred.
• Experience in successful grant writing and/or other fundraising
• Previous experience working in meadow or riparian habitat or
Sierra Nevada ecosystem a plus
• Experience with natural resource management methods and
interactions with ecosystem function
• 3+ years of effective project design, planning, implementation and
people management experience
• 3+ years of experience working with diverse stakeholders and
developing partnerships to achieve strategic goals
• Well-developed understanding of climate change impacts to
ecological communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including
demonstrated success in clearly and concisely translating science to
diverse audiences via public speaking and written materials
• Meeting facilitation skills
• Ability to stay abreast of recent developments in relevant
scientific research
• Self-directed and highly motivated team player with a good sense
of humor.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence and integrity in all aspects
of work.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive, reflecting qualifications and experience. Point
Blue offers a 401(k) plan with employer match contribution, 100% health
care coverage for employees, full dental care, and partial coverage of
dependents including domestic partners. This position will require
occasional travel and will involve working some weekends and evenings.
To Apply
E-mail: (1) cover letter describing qualifications and reasons for
interest in this position and Point Blue, (2) complete CV/resume, and (3)
contact information (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses) for 3
references to [email protected] with “SMAL” in the subject line.
Applicants may be subject to background checks.
Apply by May 15, 2017; the position will remain open until a successful
candidate has been identified.
Point Blue is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not
discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, citizenship
status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership
or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in
any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable
accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the
application and/or participate in the interview process.
