[PCA] JOB: Conservation Program Manager Position Santa Barbara (CA)

[Olivia Kwong]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
January 9, 2012

Conservation Program Manager
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Anticipated Hire Date: August 2012

Celebrating its 86th year, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is one of the 
nation's oldest native plant gardens. It operates as a private non-profit 
501c3 organization located on the California Central Coast along the 
Pacific Ocean. The Garden is dedicated to fostering the conservation of 
California's native plants through our gardens, research and education, 
and serves as a role model for sustainable action. In 2006, the Oxford 
Companion to the Garden cited The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden as one of 
the world's twenty most influential gardens. SBBG is also a Participating 
Institution in the national Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) network.

This position is responsible for day to day management of the Garden's 
plant conservation activities, including acquisition of appropriate plant 
materials, curation of collections following established scientific 
methods and standards, conducting scientific based research related to 
plant conservation, serving as the Garden's plant conservation 
representative to collaborating institutions and government agencies, and 
fostering staff and public awareness of the need for conservation and 
involvement with the Garden's conservation programs.

The ideal candidate will have a balance of both field experience and 
academic understanding such that they are equally comfortable locating 
rare plants (and their seeds) in remote locations far from modern 
conveniences or working in a laboratory, conducting seed germination 
studies, and cleaning and preparing seeds for storage.

The Conservation Program Manager position will report to the Director of 
Conservation and interact closely with managers and directors of other 
Garden Departments.

Major Functions and Responsibilities:
* Participation in strategic planning and primary responsibility for 
operational planning and development of the Garden's plant conservation 
programs, including coordination with other Garden programs as 
appropriate, developing priorities for action, and advising senior 
management on needs to be addressed. Work with other Garden staff to 
develop and carry out an effective fundraising, communication, education, 
display, and public outreach related to plant conservation.
* In collaboration with appropriate land management agencies, and other 
CPC partners, this position develops and implements a strategy to ensure 
the conservation of California's most imperiled plants through seed 
banking, ex situ conservation strategies, and research into general 
botany, reproductive biology, ecological restoration and land management 
techniques affecting species of concern.
* Ensure the Garden's application, acquisition of, and adherence to 
appropriate government permits and memoranda of understanding, including 
preparation of regular reports as may be required.
* Curate conservation accessions (plants and seeds) consistent with 
standards provided by state (e.g., California Department of Fish and Game) 
and federal agencies (e.g., USDA National Center for Genetic Resources 
Preservation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service). 
Maintain database of Garden's conservation collection for holding, 
securing, and providing critical and necessary information in coordination 
with the Center for Plant Conservation and the USDA National Center for 
Genetic Resources Preservation as applicable. Maintain secure archives 
(hard-copy) of unpublished data and sensitive information on sensitive, 
threatened, and endangered species.
* Conduct original scientific research appropriate to the Garden's plant 
conservation programs and publish results in appropriate peer-reviewed 
journals.
* Serve as the Garden's liaison to the Center for Plant Conservation and 
government agencies responsible for management of sensitive, threatened, 
and endangered species. Attend and participate in meetings of the Center 
for Plant Conservation.
* Work collaboratively and build relationships with Garden staff, 
volunteers, and members of the public to enhance knowledge of plant 
conservation issues, foster an understanding of the value and appropriate 
use of conservation collections, and provide advice regarding display and 
care for living collections. Includes appropriate training sessions, 
participation in the education and public outreach programs, and typically 
teaching 4 to 6 lectures or classes annually related to conservation and 
ecological restoration.
* Disseminate timely information, in collaboration with Garden publicity 
staff as necessary, including professional meetings, website postings, and 
news releases.
* Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Conservation.

Qualifications:
Education: The position requires a Master's degree in an appropriate field 
of plant science with an emphasis on conservation biology, knowledge of 
conservation policies and appropriate government regulations, and 
knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the California flora. Ph.D. is 
preferred.
Skills: Must demonstrate ability to effectively communicate with the 
public, volunteers, and other staff. Word processing and database 
management background required. Successful candidates will have excellent 
time management and prioritization skills, strong investigative skills and 
demonstrated ability to work with high degree of autonomy and 
accountability while remaining a part of a larger team. Develop and 
maintain in-depth knowledge of SBBG organization, mission, programs, 
activities, resources, etc. and work with other staff and departments to 
meet fundraising and marketing needs.
Other: Must be well organized with excellent written, verbal and 
interpersonal communications, and motivational skills. Work in a team 
environment, relate well interpersonally, work under pressure and meet 
deadlines. Manage multiple projects simultaneously. Position requires 
occasional weekend and evening work, as well as occasional (less than 10%) 
overnight travel around the state.

Physical Functions:
Ability to sit up to 2.0 hours as well as lift, bend, squat, hike/work in 
the field in pleasant, unpleasant or adverse conditions.
Valid California driver's license and maintenance of acceptable driving 
record required.

Send Resume or CV to Human Resources at:
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805)682-4726 x119
(805)690-1120 FAX
cwelsh at sbbg.org