[PCA] JOB OPPORTUNITY: Applied Ecologist, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

[Denise Knapp]

About the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden:

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's mission is to conserve California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet. Since the 1930s, staff members of the Garden have developed and maintained an intimate knowledge of the California flora, with an emphasis on the plants and vegetation communities of California's Central Coast and the offshore islands. Today, we take a comprehensive approach to its conservation from genes to ecosystems, with comprehensive plant systematics, rare plant conservation, community ecology, and habitat restoration functions. This allows us to more thoroughly tackle the conservation challenges of our day, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, and pollinator decline.

Overview:

The Applied Ecologist is responsible for designing, conducting, and communicating fire and restoration ecology research and implementation at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The holder of this position will be responsible in 2019 and 2020 for coordinating and implementing a Prop 1 grant-funded project to assess (with other members of the SBBG Conservation Team) habitat recovery and restoration needs throughout the Thomas and Whittier fires. This project allows time to pursue other projects and assist other members of the Conservation Team in a variety of applied conservation projects. Fundraising, education, and outreach activities are required to support the continuation of this position. This non-exempt position is flexible (20-40 hours per week) and will be tailored for the right candidate. The Applied Ecologist reports to the Director of Conservation and Research.

Essential Duties:

*         Design and conduct regional research on applied ecology topics to include: fire ecology, recovery, and resilience; habitat restoration; and potentially urban ecology;
*         Implement restoration and resilience projects to apply the findings above and recover diverse native habitat;
*         Lead volunteers and staff to aid in performing the above tasks as needed;
*         Ensure completion of data collection and analysis and dissemination of results;
*         Write progress and final reports for funders;
*         Disseminate research results to a broad audience through the above venues as well as public lectures, and presentations at professional meetings;
*         Fundraise for the this program via grant and contract proposals, donor relations, and alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding;
*         Work with other members of the Conservation & Research Team, which may include basic biodiversity inventory, rare plant conservation, community ecology, outreach and advocacy, to achieve departmental goals;
*         Publish 1-3 papers in peer-reviewed journals per year;
*         Represent the Garden's conservation program in regional and state meetings, and build a strong relationship with conservation partners;
*         Offer educational opportunities that may include lectures, workshops, tours, and field trips;
*         Work with the Garden's Communications Department to develop outreach materials, including periodic newsletter articles, brochures, web updates, videos, press releases, and social media;

Knowledge and Abilities:


*         Broad botanical knowledge, including plant identification and vegetation survey/monitoring experience. Knowledge of and experience with the California flora preferred;

*         Support of the Garden's mission and goals and ability to provide vision and inspiration to others in support of this mission;

*         Ability to conduct field work in a remote setting with rugged terrain under a variety of environmental conditions;
*         Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
*         Strong organizational skills; must be detail oriented;
*         Excellent verbal and written communication and problem solving skills desired;
*         Willingness to work occasional weekend hours and to travel for fieldwork, meetings, and symposia;

*         Computer proficiency including ability to use Microsoft Access, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and to learn new computer programs as necessary;

*         Ability to work successfully as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision is critical.

Qualifications & Experience:


*         Academic background and applied experience in ecology, the biological sciences, or closely related area (minimum of Master's degree);

*         Experience with fire and restoration ecology preferred;

*         Demonstrated proficiency in statistical analyses;

*         Experience with GIS and GPS preferred;
*         Experience and comfort giving public presentations and performing other outreach to promote projects and engage the public.

Certificates and Licenses:


*         Must have valid California Driver License and maintain an acceptable driving record

Physical Requirements:

Must be capable of occasional strenuous physical work including:

*         Sitting for up to 2.0 hours at a time and using computer for lengthy periods

*         Standing/walking for extended periods of time

*         Bending, squatting, walking stairs, and hiking rugged trails

*         Safely lifting and carrying 40 lbs.
*         Tolerance of an outdoor work environment.  Exposure to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, including temperature fluctuations, rain, dust, allergens, poison oak, insects, wild animals, and sun exposure.

Resumes or CVs must be accompanied by the Garden's employment application and may be submitted via email to jobs at sbbg.org<mailto:jobs at sbbg.org>

Denise Knapp, Ph.D.
Director of Conservation & Research
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2126
Cell (primary) 805-291-2408
Office 805-682-4868

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