Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $29.50 per hour
JOB START DATE: July 2023
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 19, 2023

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. We are seeking a skilled and collaborative Monarch Overwintering Specialist who will provide habitat conservation and restoration technical support to managers of monarch butterfly overwintering habitat in California.

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public 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 engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
Working as a member of the Xerces Society’s Endangered Species team and reporting to the Endangered Species Senior Conservation Biologist—Western Monarch Lead, the Monarch Overwintering Specialist will work with land managers to conduct site visits and then develop and facilitate implementation of management plans to benefit overwintering monarch habitat. This position will also provide restoration-focused technical assistance to partners and other stakeholders, lead trainings and field days, and assist with the Western Monarch Count and other tasks, as assigned.

This position will be based in a home office, and work closely with other Xerces western monarch staff including the Western Monarch Community Science position, the Western Monarch Lead, and fellow Monarch Overwintering Specialist position, state and federal land managers, private landowners, resource conservation districts, community scientists, and other local partners including NGOs and tribes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species staff, the Monarch Overwintering Restoration position will:

  • Conduct field visits to assess monarch overwintering habitat quality and status.
  • Write overwintering site management plans which will include detailed guidance on forestry management practices and nectar plant enhancements.
  • Coordinate habitat restoration activities in close partnership with land managers (e.g., developing scope of work for tree work, planting nectar plants).
  • Develop partnerships with land managers and other stakeholders including representing the Xerces Society at professional conferences and local meetings through presentations.
  • Coordinate and provide trainings and field days for land managers and other stakeholders on overwintering monarchs and their habitat.
  • Develop additional information sharing opportunities for the land managers (e.g., plant lists, webinars, guidance documents).
  • Address overwintering site protection issues including increasing awareness of habitat value and existing legal protections.
  • Assist with Western Monarch Count westernmonarchcount.org monitoring, volunteer training and coordination, communications, and public engagement.
  • Respond to requests for information from Xerces Society team members, natural resource agencies, and the public about conserving monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
  • Maintain regular communication with a remotely-based supervisor and other colleagues.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, hourly, non-exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Schedule can be made flexible. This position will be working from a remote home office location.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED

  • Natural resource management, restoration or arborist knowledge required. Must be familiar with California’s central coast ecosystems and natural resource conservation practices and principles.
  • Experience planning and implementing habitat restoration projects, ideally in forests in California.
  • Excellent partnership and communication skills in English, including the ability to write clear emails and management guidance. Ability to deliver presentations virtually and in person.
  • Strong organizational skills including ability to manage complex or multiple projects under deadline, while delivering quality results.
  • Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion. Ability to work independently.
  • Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web browsers).
  • Ability to travel out-of-town for multiple days (sometimes on a monthly basis); overnight trips can be scheduled to accommodate personal constraints to some extent.

PREFERRED

  • Knowledge of western monarch biology and insect conservation issues.
  • Knowledge of eucalyptus forests.
  • Understanding of and experience with wildfire risk reduction practices including fuels management.
  • Working knowledge of geospatial mapping software (e.g., ArcPro, ArcGIS Online).

QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED

  • Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, forestry, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, horticulture, or related field. More than 5 years of experience in restoration, wildlife conservation, forestry may substitute for degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check and clean driving record allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance.
  • Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PREFERRED

  • Master’s degree or higher in natural resource management, forestry, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, horticulture, or related field

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

  • Occasionally work in the field for up to 8 hours per day under adverse weather conditions.
  • Occasionally traverse across uneven terrain including trails and unpaved roads for periods up to 8 hours.
  • Occasionally drive vehicle or fly by commercial airline for periods of up to 8 hours.
  • Able to work on a computer for periods up to 8 hours.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

We are committed to creating a more diverse workforce that is welcoming to all employees and the communities we serve. As part of the application process, please be prepared to answer a brief essay question (1,000 characters or less) in which you describe some ways you might help Xerces collaborate with diverse audiences or historically excluded communities in this role.

Xerces is happy to provide accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org.