Job Description
Lower Rio Grande Valley Monarch Outreach Assistant (contract position)
Located in McAllen, Texas
Statement of General Purpose:
The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) South Central Regional office,
located in Austin, TX seeks an energetic, focused and motivated
individual to assist with the implementation of our Monarch Urban
Outreach Program, which was launched in 2015. This program has helped
targeted cities in the monarch butterfly central flyway to take
appropriate, effective action on behalf of monarch butterfly recovery,
resulting in Monarch Networks operating and Monarch conservation plans
in place or under development in six major Texas cities: Dallas, Fort
Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and McAllen. Specifically, NWF’s
part-time Monarch Outreach Assistant will work with NWF’s Monarch
Outreach Coordinator to advance a region-wide effort in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley and he or she will be based out of McAllen, TX.
Dates of Service: January 30 2018 – November 30 2019 (22 months at
approximately 45 hours/month)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Included but not limited to:
a. Conduct outreach to city governments. Contact and conduct meetings
with mayors, sustainability directors, city parks directors, corporate
leaders and other key players in the Lower Rio Grande Valley to identify
city-specific opportunities for monarch recovery and secure city
commitments to take action.
b. Facilitate meetings of community partners. Coordinate and facilitate
monthly meetings of city staff and key community partners--native plant
societies, master gardeners, garden clubs, botanical gardens, community
garden groups, city beautification groups, and key corporate citizens
who make up the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) Monarch Network. Work
with NWF’s Monarch Outreach Coordinator to facilitate the creation,
finalization and implementation of a Lower Rio Grande Valley Monarch
Butterfly Conservation Plan.
c. Provide technical support. Make use of NWF’s network of monarch
experts and others to provide information and ideas for effective
monarch-conservation activities to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Region
Monarch Network and to the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge participating
communities as needed.
d. Maintain social media pages. Maintain social media pages for the
Lower Rio Grande Valley Monarch Network, updating members on educational
opportunities, local events, and new developments in the monarch world.
e. Create resources for Monarch Networks. Work with the Monarch Outreach
Coordinator to develop and design handouts and other resources with
city-specific content, educating the public on the importance of the
monarch butterfly and the need for implementing specific actions to
benefit monarch conservation.
f. Educate the public. Attend and exhibit at monarch conservation events
and festivals, answering questions from the public, and promoting the
mission and vision of the National Wildlife Federation. Assist LRGV
Monarch Network with coordination and implementation of citizen science,
propagation and habitat creation workshops.
g. Communicate and coordinate activities with NWF’s Monarch Outreach
Coordinator. Participate in regularly scheduled calls and meetings with
NWF’s Monarch Outreach Coordinator and with NWF’s internal
monarch-conservation team (as necessary) to report on activities,
communicate needs for information or technical support, and contribute
to NWF external messaging on its monarch-recovery initiative.
Formal Education and/or Special Training Required:
A College Degree in Environmental Science, Education, Communications,
Marketing, Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology or related field
Minimum Experience:
Relevant work in program or project management, community outreach
and/or organizing, public education, and volunteer engagement
Sincere and demonstrated interest in environmental sustainability
General knowledge of biology and ecology of monarch butterflies desirable
Minimum Skills:
Skilled public speaker and presenter
Proficiency in Spanish
Demonstrated ability to organize diverse constituents and interests
around a common purpose
Strong organizational and communication skills
Attention to detail and responsible work habits
Ability to establish and cultivate relationships with potential
partners and volunteers
Ability to thrive in a multiple-task environment
Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds, ranging from
public officials to neighborhood residents
Proficiency with word processing, excel, databases and PowerPoint
software preferred
PROJECT LOCATION
The project and position will be located in McAllen, Texas and serve the
Lower Rio Grande Valley. The part-time position will be home-based.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
Personal vehicle with insurance and a valid driver’s license is
required. The position will require travel throughout the Lower Rio
Grande Valley to facilitate Monarch Network Meetings and to participate
in and present at identified monarch outreach education events.
Mileage will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for personal car use to service
related activities. All other vehicle mileage and use is figured into
the monthly compensation.
COMPENSATION
$900 per month (Approximately 45 hours/month)
APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will be accepted through January 19,
2017 or until a suitable candidate can be identified. Early applications
are encouraged and applications will be considered as they are received.
Please send cover letter and resume to [email protected]
This is a contract position, with an initial duration of two years. It
is expected that this position may be extended.
