Pacific Northwest Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Planner and NRCS Partner Biologist

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB TITLE:

Pacific Northwest Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Planner and NRCS Partner Biologist

JOB LOCATION:

USDA-NRCS West Technology Support Center, Portland, Oregon

JOB START DATE:

April 2018

JOIN US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most important animals.  Invertebrates are essential to the reproduction of most flowering plants, including many fruits, vegetables, and nuts; they play an important role in pest management; and they are a critical food source for birds, fish, and other animals. Yet invertebrate populations are often imperiled by human activities and rarely accounted for in traditional conservation.

Established in 1971 and based in Portland, Oregon, the Xerces Society is at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farmers and federal conservation agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and raising public awareness about the invertebrates of farms, forests, prairies, deserts, creeks, wetlands, and oceans. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and dragonflies. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

Reporting to the Xerces Society Pollinator Program co-director and in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state and field office staff, the Pacific Northwest Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Planner will provide conservation planning, technical support and training to farmers and NRCS field office planners across northwestern states including Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Conservation work will focus on habitat for pollinators (especially wild bees), beneficial insects that help control crop pests, and possibly also declining butterflies. The ideal candidate will have experience with Farm Bill conservation programs and will be able to develop conservation planning guidance that addresses multiple goals of pollinator, beneficial insect, wildlife, soil, and water conservation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with NRCS state technical experts, NRCS field and basin/area offices, and Xerces Society Pollinator Program staff, the Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Planner will:

• Assist NRCS conservation planners in the development of conservation plans that improve or create pollinator or beneficial insect habitat on farms and ranches in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
• Increase the technical capacity of staff from the NRCS and local Soil and Water Conser­vation Districts to help farmers take actions that promote and protect pollinators and beneficial insects on their farms.
• Assist in the implementation of conservation efforts targeting declining pollinator species, such as the monarch butterfly.  This includes habitat evaluation, monitoring, and conservation planning.
• Provide technical advice on pollinator and beneficial insect habitat restoration projects to NRCS conservation partners and agricultural producers. Advise and plan on-the-ground pollinator habitat restoration projects.
• Provide individualized assistance to farmers, land managers, restoration professionals, and others as they plan and implement conservation projects for beneficial insects.
• Provide farm-specific advice related to pollinator habitat restoration and protection, and advice on how farm management practices may be planned to benefit pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Coordinate and conduct trainings on pollinators, declining species, or beneficial insect conservation.
• Work with Xerces Society and NRCS specialists to develop or refine technical documents that support establishment, enhancement, or management of pollinator habitat, including habitat for declining species. Technical documents may include habitat evaluation guides, conservation practice specifications, plant lists, seed mixes, fact sheets, and habitat restoration guidelines.
• Travel out-of-town for multiple days (approximately 5 overnights per month) to support NRCS field office conservation planning.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE: 

      REQUIRED

• Strong knowledge and experience in pollinator or wildlife habitat planning, restoration and management unique to the Pacific Northwest. This includes experience with prairie and grassland restoration, native plant establishment (both woody and herbaceous), shelterbelt and hedgerow design, and invasive species control.
• Knowledge of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs and the work of the NRCS or the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
• Knowledge of the ecology of pollinators, including the biology of native bees, monarch butterflies, honey bees, and declining species.
• Understanding of common agricultural practices in the Pacific Northwest both on the west east sides of the Cascades.
• Knowledge of weed identification and management in the Pacific Northwest.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clear email, conservation plans, and technical documents for diverse audiences. Primary audiences include NRCS conservation planners, farmers, ranchers, and conservation partners.
• Exceptional verbal communication, presentation, and public speaking skills for diverse audiences that include farmers, ranchers, conservation partners, and others.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to develop work plans and work independently on assigned tasks.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

      PREFERRED

• Experience working in an USDA NRCS field office, implementing the NRCS conservation planning process and using NRCS conservation planning tools.

• Knowledge of ecology and habitat needs of other beneficial insects that help to manage crop pests.
• Understanding and interest in diverse cover cropping practices and how they can be managed to support pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices, and strategies for reducing negative impacts of pest management on pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Knowledge of prescribed grazing and prescribed fire.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED

• A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree strongly preferred) in natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, horticulture, or more than 4 years of experience in conservation planning, pollinator or wildlife conservation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED

• Bilingual or multilingual.
• Pesticide applicators license.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Lift and move supplies, materials, equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Work in the field for long days under potentially adverse weather conditions.
• Frequently traverse across agricultural roads and fields, unpaved roads and walkways, and unimproved trails for periods of 8 hours.
• Drive vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours.

STATUS:         

Full-Time, salaried, exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week.

COMPENSATION:  $42,000- $46,500 (starting) per year, commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package: eleven paid holidays, paid time off, paid health, dental, and disability insurance, option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, participation in a 401k retirement program upon eligibility and a flexible work environment.

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

MORE INFORMATION:  For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website: www.xerces.org.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: 

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/List/4579/Xerces-Society-Inc

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 8, 2018

All applicants will receive email notification once position is filled.