[PCA] JOB: Califorinia Pollinator Outreach Coordinator (Davis, CA)

[Olivia Kwong]

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:  XERCES SOCIETY
CALIFORNIA POLLINATOR OUTREACH COORDINATOR

JOB TITLE: California Pollinator Outreach Coordinator

BACKGROUND:  The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the diversity of life
through the conservation of invertebrates. We educate the public and
decision makers about the importance of invertebrates and work to protect
habitat for these critical animals. For 37 years, the Society has been at
the forefront of invertebrate conservation, harnessing the knowledge of
highly regarded scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement
conservation and education programs in the United States. Located in
Portland, Oregon the Society has a national and international presence.
Currently the Society has 10 employees with an annual budget of over
$700,000.

SCOPE: Under the direction of the Pollinator Program Director, the
California Pollinator Outreach Coordinator will work to provide resources
and training to agricultural and natural resources professionals in
California on pollinator habitat restoration and management. The Outreach
Coordinator will also work to increase the general public.s awareness of
the importance of native pollinators for agricultural sustainability,
wildlife conservation, and ecological stability.

MAJOR JOB ACTIVITIES:  This state-level position will require considerable
travel throughout California.  Strong outreach skills are needed as the
ideal candidate will coordinate logistics for workshops and provide
training to Natural Resource Conservation Service and Resource 
Conservation District staff, other agricultural and natural resource 
professionals, landowners, and land managers.  The position will also 
include providing technical support to local partners (for example, when 
creating demonstration sites around the state), writing educational 
materials, conducting literature research, and other responsibilities as 
they arise.

Working with the Pollinator Program Director, the California Pollinator
Outreach Coordinator will:
      Coordinate logistics for workshops to train agricultural and natural
      resource professionals, farmers and ranchers in pollinator
      conservation techniques (focus on native bees).
      Present workshops on pollinator conservation or native bee monitoring
      to a variety of audiences.
      Assist the Natural Resource Conservation Service in planning and
      implementing pollinator conservation practices and demonstration
      sites.
      Raise awareness about native pollinator conservation techniques among
      agriculture community.
      Participate in the development of NRCS state criteria for screening
      EQIP, WHIP, or other Farm Bill cost-share project proposals.
      Help develop and field test assessment tools of native pollinator
      habitat and crop pollination by native bees.
      Prepare fact sheets and outreach materials based on field research.
      Organize field visits with growers to: (1) present results of field
      work conducted on their farms; (2) assess native pollinator services
      provided by wild bees on their farms; and/or (3) discuss current farm
      management practices and ideas for reducing negative impacts on
      native crop pollinators.
      Expand program through professional networking
  REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
      Bachelors degree (Graduate degree strongly preferred) in 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 entomology is
      preferred.
      An understanding of pollination ecology and the role of native
      pollinators (especially bees) in agroecosystems.
      Ability to manage complex or multiple projects.
      Knowledge of species (especially invertebrates), natural communities,
      ecosystems, ecological processes, and their conservation needs.
      Ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate complex scientific
      information to influence conservation practices.
      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 deadlines, while
      delivering quality results.
      Ability to work independently on assigned tasks.
      Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel,
      PowerPoint, Web browsers).
ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
      A good sense of humor
      Experience working with the agricultural community or farm landscapes
      Desktop publishing using programs like Microsoft Publisher or Adobe
      InDesign
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: $28,000 - $32,000 depending on experience.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package: eleven paid
holidays and two weeks of vacation accrued after first year; eight percent
of base pay toward a SEP retirement account, beginning in January of the
calendar year following the first full year of employment; eight percent
additional salary toward health coverage; and a flexible work environment.

LOCATION: The employee will be based in the Davis, CA area and will work
throughout California.

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 names and contact information for three references (
please combine all information into a single MS Word or Adobe PDF 
document)
to:

Logan Lauvray
RE: CA Pollinator Outreach Coordinator
The Xerces Society
4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97215
logan at xerces.org

We have limited staff time, so we appreciate no phone calls to our office.

DEADLINE:  August 11, 2008.