Job Description

Reporting to the Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Program Bumble Bee Lead (Portland, OR office) and working in collaboration with state and federal wildlife agencies in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina, the Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will build on an existing initiative to conduct a region wide bumble bee atlas project in the southeast using community (aka participatory) science.

Building off the success of the Xerces Society’s other bumble bee atlas projects in the Pacific Northwest, Great Plains and California, the successful candidate, working with state and regional partners, will manage a region wide community science project and use emerging science (from this project and beyond) to develop effective land management strategies for bumble bees and other pollinators throughout the southeastern U.S. The Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will collaboratively focus on coordinating and communicating with partners and community scientists, organizing and delivering training events, conducting field-based habitat and bumble bee surveys, and identifying bumble bees from photographs submitted by project participants. The successful applicant will also conduct outreach to the southeast’s diverse and traditionally underserved communities to encourage broad participation in this community science project and other conservation programs. The ideal candidate will have excellent outreach and presentation skills, as well as experience working with volunteers, managing community science programs, developing and conducting field-based pollinator research projects, and surveying for and identifying bumble bees (Bombus spp.) that occur in the eastern U.S. This position will ideally be based in Georgia or Tennessee, working from a home office (other locations in the four-state region will also be considered).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species and Pollinator Program staff, the person who fills this position will:

Lead the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas project across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee
Coordinate with state and federal wildlife agencies and build partnerships throughout the region
Recruit, train, and coordinate project volunteers
Manage bumble bee identification, data collection, and database maintenance
Analyze spatial patterns using GIS tools and develop conservation strategies
Conduct field surveys and habitat assessments (25% field time during May-September)
Engage diverse communities in conservation efforts
Travel for project support (approximately 5 overnight stays per month during field season)
Support other Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas Projects
Engage in other endangered species and pollinator conservation projects

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

Demonstrated knowledge of bumble bee survey techniques and southeastern species identification
Experience managing volunteer programs and building diverse coalitions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Project management expertise
Proficiency with common software applications and social media platforms

PREFERRED

Experience with GIS software and habitat occupancy modeling
Database management skills
Knowledge of southeastern U.S. native plants
Understanding of regional conservation organizations

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in ecology, conservation biology, entomology, or related field (graduate degree preferred). More than four years of experience in conservation planning, pollinator or wildlife conservation, or equivalent experience and substitute for the required degree.
Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check prior to employment allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance. Offer of employment is contingent on this record check.
Current U.S. work authorization

PREFERRED

Master’s Degree in a field listed above.
Bilingual abilities (English/Spanish)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.
Able to move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs;
Occasionally drive a vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours;
Seldom to Occasionally work outdoors in the field for 1-8 hours per day under potentially adverse weather conditions;
Seldom to Occasionally traverse across unpaved roads, walkways, fields and unimproved trails for periods of 1-10 hours, carrying 30 pounds of material or equipment.
Travel overnight when necessary for meetings, project assessments, implementation, meetings, or planning.

Tagged as: Conservation

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