[PCA] JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Xerces Society Midwest Pollinator Outreach Coordinator

[Eric Mader]

JOB TITLE: Midwest Pollinator Outreach Coordinator

BACKGROUND: The Xerces Society 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
build the stunning coral reefs of our oceans; they are essential to
the reproduction of most flowering plants, including many fruits,
vegetables, and nuts; and they are food for birds, fish, and other
animals. Yet invertebrate populations are often imperiled by human
activities and rarely accounted for in mainstream conservation.
Established in 1971, the Xerces Society is at the forefront of
invertebrate protection, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and
the enthusiasm of local citizens to implement conservation and
education programs. Over the last three decades, we have protected
endangered species and their habitats, produced ground-breaking
publications on insect conservation, trained thousands of farmers and
land managers to protect and manage habitat, and raised awareness
about the invertebrates of forests, prairies, deserts, and oceans. The
Xerces Society is headquartered in Portland Oregon. Currently the
Society has 12 FTE and an annual budget of over $1,000,000.

SCOPE: Under the direction of the National Pollinator Outreach
Coordinator, the Midwest Pollinator Outreach Coordinator will work to
provide resources and training to agricultural professionals across
the Midwest on pollinator habitat management, creation, restoration,
and enhancement. The Outreach Coordinator will also build the general
public’s awareness of the importance of native pollinators to
agricultural sustainability and wildlife conservation.

MAJOR JOB ACTIVITIES: This is a regional level position that will
require considerable travel throughout the Midwest (and will often
require more than 40 hours a week due to travel). Strong outreach
skills are needed as the ideal candidate will coordinate logistics for
workshops and provide training to Natural Resource Conservation
Service staff, other agricultural professionals and land managers. The
position will also include writing educational materials, conducting
literature research, and coordinating with academic scientists.

Working as a team with the National Pollinator Outreach Coordinator
and the Pollinator
Conservation Director the Outreach Coordinator will:

•	Coordinate logistics for workshops to train agricultural
professionals in pollinator conservation techniques.
•	Present workshops on pollinator conservation to variety of audiences.
•	Coordinate pollinator research with academic partners.
•	Raise awareness about native pollinator conservation techniques
among sustainable agriculture communities.
•	Prepare fact sheets and outreach materials based on field research.
•	Assist in the development of state criteria for screening EQIP,
WHIP, or other project proposals.
•	Help develop Pollinator Habitat Evaluation Guides and Pollinator
Biology Technical Notes.
•	Develop appropriate plant lists for states.
•	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 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 deadlines, while
delivering quality results.
•	Ability to 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 Midwest farming systems.
•	Understanding of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs.
•	Prior management 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: $32,000 - $38,000 depending on experience.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package: eleven
paid holidays and two weeks of vacation accrued after first year,
medical benefits, and a flexible work environment. If the position is
extended beyond one year, eight percent of the base pay will be
contributed toward a SEP retirement account, beginning in January of
the calendar year following the first full year of employment.

LOCATION: Position location preferably in Minneapolis, MN but for the
right candidate we are open to the position being in other major
cities in the upper Midwest.

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:

Suzanne Granahan
The Xerces Society
4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97215
suzanne at xerces.org
We have limited staff time, so we appreciate no phone calls to our office!

DEADLINE: September 4, 2009.


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Eric Mader
National Pollinator Outreach Coordinator
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Tel: 608-628-4951 Fax: 503-233-6794
Email: eric at xerces.org

Assistant Professor of Extension
University of Minnesota - Department of Entomology
Email: made0002 at umn.edu

The Xerces Society is an international nonprofit organization that
protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their
habitat. Our Pollinator Conservation Program works to support the
sustainability and profitability of farms while protecting pollinator
insects. To join the Society, make a contribution, or read about our
work, please visit www.xerces.org.
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