[SOS-PCA] JOB: Rare Plant Project Manager CNPS (Sacramento, CA)

[Kwong, Olivia]

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Rare Plant Project Manager
Job Announcement

About CNPS
Founded in 1965, the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a
science‐based non‐profit dedicated to increasing understanding and
appreciation of California’s native plants, and to conserving them and
their natural habitats. The Society is headquartered in Sacramento. CNPS
has around 10,000 members organized in 34 chapters, including the
newly‐formed Baja California Chapter.

Job Summary
CNPS is seeking a Rare Plant Project Manager to help develop and implement
a portfolio of plant science projects. As part of the CNPS Rare Plant
Program (RPP), they will be dedicated to developing and maintaining
information about rare plants in California, and will promote the use of
sound science in the conservation of our rare plants.

The successful candidate will work with dedicated staff, professional
botanists, and smart and devoted volunteers to scope projects, develop
funding and manage budgets, ensure training and engagement of volunteers,
prioritize species/populations/sites, and report to funders and the public.
Much of the work will be office‐based, but there will be ample opportunity
to participate in field work throughout California. The work requires an
individual who is organized, collaborative, possesses strong project
management skills, and is enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge of and
passion for California plants.

This is a unique opportunity to be at the center of some exciting and truly
important projects. The Rare Plant Project Manager will ensure continued
growth of the CNPS Rare Plant Treasure Hunt (RPTH), which in five years has
mapped more than 2,500 rare plant occurrences of which 30% were new
discoveries! They will provide support to the California Plant Rescue
(CaPR) partnership, which is saving seeds from every population of rare
plants in California. They will help collect tissue for sequencing by
researchers, support assessment of taxa to determine extinction
probability, and participate in prioritizing taxa and populations for field
assessment or conservation action.

Representative Responsibilities
Develop and Manage Projects

   - In coordination with other Rare Plant Program staff, develop goals and
   objectives for new and current projects, and develop budgets and timelines.
   - Secure funding through contracts, grants, donations, and alternative
   funding sources such as crowdfunding.
   - With support from staff, negotiate and review grants, contracts, and
   agency agreements.
   - Work with field staff to plan seasonal field work, hire and schedule
   staffing, and otherwise coordinate project implementation.
   - Supervise staff to ensure tasks are completed and grant/contractual
   obligations are met. Coordinate with staff and funders to adjust project
   details as necessary.
   - Ensure completion of data analysis, evaluation of projects, and
   dissemination of results. Write progress and final reports for funders.
   Share project reports with committee members, CNPS leadership, partners and
   stakeholders.

Engage and Support Volunteers and Partners

   - Engage, listen to, and work cooperatively with CNPS chapters,
   volunteers, and partners.
   - Expand the volunteer community by recruiting new individuals, engaging
   new volunteer groups, including students, and supporting involvement of
   underrepresented communities.
   - Ensure that volunteers are supported by: promoting excellent field
   safety practices; developing and providing training; evaluating and
   matching individual skill sets with appropriate responsibilities; providing
   reference materials and curricula for training events; developing and
   distributing rare plant survey assignments (including maps and targets);
   assisting with acquisition of collecting permits; answering questions and
   providing volunteer support.
   - Provide or coordinate detailed planning for all aspects of volunteer
   events, including: transportation, lodging, maps/directions, meals,
   permits/permissions, reimbursements.
   - Work with CNPS administrative staff to maintain database of
   volunteers, so that they are recognized for their work, apprised of
   developments, and informed of opportunities to participate.
   - Lead and co‐lead rare plant survey trips and training events with
   volunteers and partners.
   - Work with Communications staff to publicize events and communicate
   successes to CNPS chapters and the public via email, websites, brochures,
   newsletters, blogs, broadcast and social media.
   - Foster relationships with experienced botanists who can assist with
   field trips.
   - Expand relationships with other organizations, agencies, land trusts,
   and private land owners to secure site access, cultivate partners and
   funders, and represent CNPS and the Rare Plant Program.

Advance Rare Plant Science

   - Working with the Rare Plant Botanist, the RPP Committee members, and
   in consultation with other experts, compile and analyze rare plant data to
   prioritize taxa and populations for field surveys, listing petitions, and
   other activities.
   - Adopt, synthesize, or develop maps, identification materials, survey
   protocols, and other resources to support field work by colleagues and
   volunteers.
   - Support Rare Plant Botanist in completing status reviews to maintain
   updated ranks, including: assessing data and completing field surveys to
   identify taxa in jeopardy of extinction; obtaining data to reassign Rank 3
   taxa; assessing ranks of newly described/circumscribed taxa.
   - Participate in development of the new Professional Botanist
   Certification.
   - Represent CNPS at professional conferences and meetings. Maintain
   relationships with botanists, academia, agencies, NGOs, CNPS members,
   volunteers, land managers, and funders.
   - Complete field work and other activities as required to ensure project
   success, and to maintain expertise in California botany.

Representative Qualifications

   - Masters degree in botany, biology, environmental education or related
   field or undergraduate degree with at least five years relevant
   professional experience.
   - Broad botanical knowledge, including plant identification and
   conservation biology. Experience with California native plants is preferred.
   - Strong grant writing and reporting experience, with a proven record of
   funds development.
   - Extremely strong volunteer development and coordination experience.
   - Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
   - Experience performing public presentations and wide variety of
   outreach to promote projects and engage public.
   - Experience hiring and supervising staff and contractors.
   - Strong project management experience.
   - Skill at working with volunteers and supporters to accomplish
   challenging projects, while keeping it a fun and fulfilling experience that
   builds joy and goodwill inside and outside the Society.
   - Strong computer literacy and data entry/analysis proficiency.
   - Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills, with
   excellent attention to detail.
   - Ability to independently and efficiently plan and manage multiple
   complex projects simultaneously.
   - Ability to work independently and as part of the CNPS team;
   demonstrated ability to be a selfstarter and exercise mature judgment;
   belief in the principle that CNPS is a Society in which every individual is
   unique and valuable.

Please Note if You Possess These Additional Desired Skills

   - Fluency in Spanish.
   - Familiarity with ESRI ArcGIS, or database expertise.
   - Experience scoping or developing online databases or web applications.

Physical Requirements
This job requires prolonged sitting, use of computer and mouse, and ability
to participate in field trips including traveling uneven trails with
variable grade. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Job Requirements

   - Work requires travel throughout California. Work travel is reimbursed.
   - Some evening and weekend work is required to meet deadlines or to
   participate in meetings.
   - A valid California driver’s license is required, provided annually.

Status and Supervision
This is an exempt, full time staff position eligible for benefits, based at
CNPS offices in Sacramento. Position is supervised by the Executive
Director, and will supervise staff and contractors, including the RPTH
Coordinator and seasonal RPTH field staff.

Compensation and benefits
This is a key position and compensation is generous, commensurate with
qualifications and experience. CNPS offers benefits that are competitive
with non‐profit organizations of comparable size, including full payment of
employee health insurance premiums, life insurance, retirement match, and
paid holidays and vacation.

To Apply
Please submit cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to
jobs at cnps.org. Subject line of email should read “Rare Plant Project
Manager application.” Review of applications will begin January 31, 2015
and continue until filled.

The California Native Plant Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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