The Xerces Society Pollinator Habitat Restoration Specialist

SCOPE: Under the direction of the Pollinator Program Director, the Pollinator Habitat Restoration Specialist will provide technical support and training to conservation agencies and farmers on pollinator conservation and native plant restoration in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. The position will also work to advance the general public’s awareness of the importance of native pollinators to agriculture and wildlife conservation.
BACKGROUND: The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international, nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, worms, starfish, mussels, and crabs are but a few of the millions of invertebrates at the heart of a healthy environment. Invertebrates are essential to the reproduction of most flowering plants, including many fruits, vegetables, and nuts; they are food for birds, fish, and other animals; and they build the stunning coral reefs of our oceans. Yet invertebrate populations are often imperiled by human activities and rarely accounted for in mainstream conservation.
Established in 1971, and named after the extinct Xerces blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces), the Xerces Society is at the forefront of invertebrate protection, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of local citizens to implement conservation, restoration, and education programs. We protect endangered species and their habitats, produce ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, train thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, and raise awareness about the invertebrates of forest, prairies, deserts, creeks, wetlands, and oceans. The Xerces Society is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with regional offices in California, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and North Carolina. We currently have 25 FTE and an annual budget of nearly $2,000,000.
MAJOR JOB ACTIVITIES: Working as a team with Xerces’ Pollinator Conservation Program staff, the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Pollinator Habitat Restoration Specialist will:

• Provide technical oversight and advice on restoring pollinator and plant communities to conservation professionals and agricultural producers.
• Assist in the development of pollinator conservation plans for agricultural producers.
• Coordinate and conduct workshops to train conservation professionals and agricultural producers in pollinator conservation techniques.
• Assist in developing criteria for projects enrolled in conservation programs administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Farm Service Agency.
• Prepare fact sheets and outreach materials based on field research.
• Refine plant lists for restoration efforts in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
• Coordinate pollinator research with academic partners.
• Raise awareness about native pollinator ecology among sustainable agriculture communities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: The successful candidate for this position will have extensive knowledge and experience in native plant restoration, as well as extensive knowledge and experience in the ecology of native bees and other pollinators. He or she must be an effective communicator capable of coordinating and conducting workshops for federal and state conservation agency staff and agriculture stakeholders. The position also requires:

• A Bachelors degree (graduate degree strongly preferred) in horticulture, entomology, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or 3-5 years experience in conservation science, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in native plant restoration, including wildflowers and woody plants, in the eastern U.S.
• An understanding of pollination ecology, native plants of the eastern U.S., and the role of native pollinators (especially bees) in agro-ecosystems.
• Knowledge of species (especially invertebrates), natural communities, ecosystems, ecological processes, and their conservation needs.
• Ability to interpret, synthesize, and communicate complex scientific information to influence conservation practice.
• Ability to develop and give engaging presentations to audiences of more than twenty adults.
• Ability to communicate professionally with a wide variety of people.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under tight deadlines, while delivering high quality results.
• Ability to develop work plans and work independently on assigned tasks.
• Ability to format and/or design professional documents using Word, Publisher, or other publishing software.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Web browsers).

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. farming systems.
• Understanding of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs and the work of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
• Prior entrepreneurial experience (of any kind).
• A good sense of humor.

TERMS: This is a full time position and we are an at will employer. The Xerces Society is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. SALARY: $34,000 - $42,000 depending on experience.
BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package: eleven paid holidays, three weeks of paid time off accrued after the first year, medical benefits, disability insurance coverage, and a flexible work environment. If the position is extended beyond one year, up to eight percent of the base pay will be contributed toward a SEP retirement account.
LOCATION: The position is located at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Center in Cape May, New Jersey until September 2013. After this time, the location is open for discussion.
MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website. www.xerces.org

APPLICATION: Anyone interested in this position should email a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references as a single attachment [MS Word or PDF] to:
Ashley Minnerath The Xerces Society 628 NE Broadway St., Suite 200 Portland, OR 97232 ashley@xerces.org
We have limited staff time, so we appreciate no phone calls to our office!
DEADLINE: October 21, 2012.