Live and work on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY is seeking an energetic and creative person with strong applied plant community monitoring and restoration skills for the position of SENIOR PLANT ECOLOGIST. This position will be responsible for all aspects of plant community assessment and restoration and oversee the Conservancy's native plant nursery and seed conservation operations, herbarium, and invasive plant and habitat restoration program as well as significant involvement with the Wrigley Memorial Botanical Garden. To be considered for this position, submit your resume/CV and salary requirements to [email protected]. POSITION: Senior Plant Ecologist STATUS: Full time, Exempt 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. This position will develop 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 including the evaluation of past and current status of plant communities and implementation of a long-term plant community assessment program for Santa Catalina Island. Strong botanical and taxonomic skills and ability to become quickly proficient in the flora of Santa Catalina Island required. Familiarity with Southern California flora, ecology and natural history desirable. Strong budget and grant management and supervisory skills desired. 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. Position will be based at Middle Ranch in the interior of the island. Employee must live on Catalina Island. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 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). 1) 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. 2) 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. 3) Aggressively identifies and pursues funding opportunities from foundations, organizations and government agencies to assist in financing restoration projects, research, and appropriate data collection. 4) 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. 5) Assists in developing and managing operating and capital budgets, including purchasing services and materials, preparation of capital equipment specifications, and coordinates budget expenditures. 6) 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. 7) 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. 8) 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. 9) Updates and enhances knowledge by continuing education for professional growth, i.e., attends relevant conferences, seminars and certification programs. 10) Submits a yearly work program. 11) 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.
