[PCA] JOB: TNC Lake Wales Ridge (FL)

[Plant Conservation]

-----Original Message-----
The Nature Conservancy
Saving the Last Great Places

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Research and Monitoring Biologist
JOB FAMILY: Science
JOB NUMBER: 6002
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUPERVISOR: Lake Wales Ridge Program Director
LOCATION: Lake Wales, FL
DATE PREPARED: January 24, 2005


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The Research and Monitoring Biologist will assist the Lake Wales Ridge
Program with data collection and management of endangered, threatened and
special animal and plant species. Duties include proposal development,
field surveys, data transcription, project reports, scientific surveys of
county, state and federal lands. Surveys require long periods of fieldwork
and extensive travel throughout the state and represents the Conservancy's
views on the rarity and viability of species.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

  a.. Coordinate a scientifically rigorous program: to conduct a
region-wide assessment of the Florida scrub-jay population; to help
evaluate the ecological consequences of management actions; and to educate
the public about Florida scrub-jays and scrub habitat conservation.
  a.. Participate on prescribed fire crews and conduct ecological
management planning including resource inventories, fire plans, exotic
species removal plans and biological monitoring plans..
  a.. Excellent physical condition. Ability to meet minimum TNC training
and health requirements for prescribed burning at the arduous level. For
Florida: 45-pound pack test result of 45 minutes or less. S130/190 and
Standards for Survival certification, or equivalent agency training
required.
  a.. Ability to maintain and safely operate equipment, tools, and
demonstrated ability to operate 4x4 vehicles. Must follow recommended
safety guidelines and precautions specified for said work. Must be safety
conscious. Previous First Aid training a plus. Must have a class D license.
  b.. Ability to produce quality written products. Familiar with Microsoft
Office Suite applications and GPS/GIS.
  c.. Serve as team leader with volunteers on assigned projects and
coordinate the work.
  d.. Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems. Ability to
recognize plant and animal species as required to complete preserve
planning/management activities.
  e.. Prioritize tasks and develop timelines for project completion.
  f.. Monitor the progress of work groups toward achieving management
goals.
  g.. Develop preserve management plans and track progress, altering plans
as needed in response to changing situations.
  h.. Provide technical and scientific leadership and support in helping
coordinate the implementation the central Florida lygodium strategy.
  i.. Make day-to-day decisions affecting individual work and work of
project teams
  j.. May supervise preserve management staff, interns and volunteers.
Incorporate volunteers into all aspects of LWR monitoring.
  k.. Other projects as requested by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

  a.. Masters degree Botany, Zoology, Ecology or a related natural science
area or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  b.. Knowledge and experience with regional flora and fauna and ecosystems
  c.. Ability to evaluate habitat conditions and collect and process
specimens
  d.. Experience with statistical analysis of natural communities and a
variety of environmental data on ecological communities
  e.. Familiarity with the methodology of the network of Natural Heritage
Programs and Conservation Data Centers, remote sensing applications and
geographic information systems.

 COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:

  a.. Ability to compile and organize scientific data with attention to
detail.
  a.. Duties require non-routine analysis, research and follow-through.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:

  a.. Opportunity to act independently
  b.. May be a spokesperson for the program director
  c.. Makes sound decisions based on analysis, experience and judgement

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT -FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:

  a.. May need to gain cooperation from individuals or groups over whom
there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals.
  a.. May be responsible for managing a grant or contract or writing a
request for proposal.

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:

  a.. Proven ability in written and oral communications.
  b.. Good presentation skills
  c.. Ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups,
local, state and federal employees, private landowners and others.
  d.. Ability to make alliances and gain support of others over whom there
is no supervisory authority.
  e.. Ability to simplify and explain complex scientific data to general
audiences
  f.. Ability and willingness to work in a team setting in a highly
decentralized organization.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

  a.. Ability to work in variable weather conditions, remote locations and
often in physically demanding circumstances. Valid driver's license, safe
driving record, current insurance and reliable personal vehicle available
for work use.
  a.. Willingness to work long hours in an isolate setting.
  a.. Work requires occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
Work involves several disagreeable elements and/or exposure to job hazard's
where there is some possibility of injury.

To Apply, Send Cover Letter and Resume To:

Tricia Martin, Program Director
P.O. Box 630
Babson Park, FL 33827-0630
Fax: 863/635-6456
Email: tricia_martin at tnc.org
No telephone calls please.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer