The Center for Natural Lands Management is searching for a well-qualified
and conservation-oriented professional to be their Preserve Manager for the
Coachella Valley and Dos Palmas Preserves in southern California.
Location: Coachella Valley, California
Salary/Benefits: DOE ($47-51k), includes medical and dental benefits,
401(k)
Status: Full Time/40 hours per week
Application Open until filled, but to ensure full consideration,
Deadline: applications should be received no later than
October 13, 2006.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT
The Center for Natural Lands Management (the Center) is a nonprofit
(501c)(3)), financially stable, organization created in 1990 with the
mission of perpetual management of natural open areas, sensitive species,
and their resident ecosystems. Currently, fifty-eight preserves,
encompassing approximately 50,000 acres throughout California, are under the
management of the Center, with new preserves added regularly. The preserves
vary in size from three to over 20,000 acres and are managed under direct
ownership, conservation easements, or management contracts. Central to the
Centers mission and fundamental to its success are the principles of
rigorous cost estimation for managing conservation areas in perpetuity and
application of appropriate scientific information for conservation and
restoration. The Center has a well-established practice of selecting for and
investing in excellent staff to fulfill its mission.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Center is currently seeking a passionate, mature, and innovative
professional to fill the position of Preserve Manager for the Coachella
Valley (CV) and Dos Palmas Preserves. See Preserve descriptions (and soon, a
virtual tour) at: www.cnlm.org.
The CV Preserve , a 20,000-acre preserve system that consists of three
separate desert sand dune ecosystems, is the main responsibility and the
Preserve Manger is expected to provide management in accordance with the
conservation values and recovery goals outlined in the Habitat Conservation
Plan. This plan was inspired by efforts to protect the federally threatened
Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard. Other management interests include
controlling introduced invasive plant species, investigating the species
biology and monitoring the recovery of the threatened lizard, planning the
recovery of altered landscapes within the dune system, and planning for
longterm dune conservation in the context of climate change and other
anthropogenic influences.
DUTIES
Duties will include but not necessarily be limited to: developing and
implementing habitat enhancement activities; monitoring for native and
exotic species of plants and animals; working in conjunction with Center
partners in acquiring additions to the preserves; preparing scopes of work
and contracts for specific services; analyzing and interpreting the results
of monitoring activities and incorporating this information into management
plans; participating in planning and community meetings; leading public
outreach and education efforts; preparing and implementing annual work
plans, budgets, and reports; preparing and presenting papers at professional
conferences; and interacting with resource agencies.
Working from an on-site (CV) office, the successful candidate will possess
the ability to carry out these duties with minimal supervison. Because of
the size of this preserve, supervision of contractors or other employees may
be involved. An active Vistors Center, staffed by volunteer docents,
contributes to the preserves role in public education of natural areas and
fosters a conservation ethic. The Preserve Manager oversees this volunteer
effort and interacts directly with the public both during preserve visits
and off-site efforts to increase the constituency of preserve supporters.
Because of the involvement of multiple agencies and organizations in
managing and regulating this preserve, this position requires interaction
with other land managers, contractors, clients, and regulatory agencies. The
successful applicant will possess, or be able to quickly acquire,
good-natured and effective relationships with these entities.
The Preserve Manager will also collaboratively (with BLM and other partners)
manage the Dos Palmas Preserve, as well as possibly new preserves that may
come under CNLM stewardship in the future.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Master of Science degree in Natural Resource Management, Botany, Wildlife
Ecology, or related field.
2. Related experience in land stewardship, including application of best
management practices, restoration, and management of rare or fragile species.
3. Ability to manage a large and diverse preserve system including
biological monitoring for both flora and fauna. 4. Social and supervisory
skills effective in working collaboratively, leading volunteer efforts, and
managing contract (or other) staff.
5. Ability to work independently and use initiative appropriately to meet
the habitat management and species restoration goals.
6. Ability to prepare annual budgets and manage preserve activities within
these fiscal constraints.
7. Ability to structure time effectively and meet deadlines as required.
8. Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
9. Working knowledge of GIS and GPS technologies and associated software.
10. Working knowledge of PC applications: Windows 2000, WordPerfect,
Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word), Adobe
Illustrator, and Photoshop.
OTHER DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
1. Ph.D. in discipline related to natural sciences.
2. Familiarity with desert sand dune ecosystems through research or management.
3. Familiarity with federal, state, and local environmental legislation and
codes such as the California Environmental Quality Act, the California and
Federal Endangered Species Acts, the National Environmental Policy Act, the
Habitat Conservation Plan process; and the Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan for the Coachella Valley.
4. Capacity to plan scientific research within the preserve, to acquire
research funding, and to conduct this research through appropriate
collaborations.
5. Familiarity with statistical analyses and associated software.
TO APPLY
Qualified applicants must provide a detailed letter of interest, current
resumé or curriculum vitae, two examples of professional writing (such as
publications, professional reports, or management plans), and three
professional references (names, affiliations, and contact information only).
Mail or e-mail these materials to:
Dr. Deborah L. Rogers
Director of Conservation Science
Center for Natural Lands Management
425 E. Alvarado Street, Suite H
Fallbrook, CA 92028
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CNLM is an Equal Opportunity Employer
