JOB TITLE: Endangered Species Conservation Biologist (Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas)

LOCATION: Nebraska or Iowa preferred, will consider other locations in Minnesota and Missouri. This position will be based from the employee’s home-based office, with required travel during the spring through summer field seasons.

COMPENSATION: $57,033 annually

JOB START DATE: April 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 13,2023

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 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.

JOIN US!

Come join a 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 motivated individual to help coordinate a regional bumble bee atlas community science project, with an eye toward comprehensive conservation planning for bumble bees of the Midwest and Great Plains regions.

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:

Reporting to, and working closely with, one of the Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Conservation Biologists (Lincoln, NE office) the successful candidate will collaborate with state and regional partners to develop and manage a statewide community science project in Iowa, and work to support and maintain existing Atlas programs in Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. The candidate may also support other regional Atlas projects, depending on location and experience.

Building off the success of the Xerces Society’s other Bumble Bee Atlas projects in the Pacific Northwest, Great Plains, and California, the selected candidate will collaboratively focus on developing and implementing sampling protocols, coordinating and communicating with partners and community scientists, organizing and delivering training events, conducting field-based habitat and bumble bee surveys, and identifying bumble bees from photographs submitted by project participants.

The successful applicant will also conduct outreach to the Midwest’s diverse and traditionally underserved communities to encourage broad participation in this community science project and other conservation programs. The ideal candidate will have excellent outreach and presentation skills, as well as experience working with volunteers, managing community science programs, developing and conducting field-based pollinator research projects, and surveying for and identifying bumble bees (Bombus spp.) that occur in the Midwest. This position will ideally be based in Iowa or Nebraska.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species and Pollinator Program staff, the person who fills this position will:

• Develop and launch a Bumble Bee Atlas in the state of Iowa, harnessing the participation of community scientists and other key partners, using other Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas projects as a model.
• Work to support and maintain existing Atlas programs in Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.
• Collaborate with partners at state and federal wildlife agencies, and the research community, to learn more about bumble bee species in need of conservation and recovery action. Train others in the identification, protection, and recovery of these species.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver virtual and in-person training events for new and returning Atlas volunteers throughout the Midwest.
• Accurately identify bumble bees from submitted photos and maintain a database of observations and associated data.
• Analyze collected data for spatial patterns and communicate results using ArcGIS Online, or similar tools.
• Use appropriate communication channels (website, social media, traditional media, email, etc.) to recruit and coordinate with project volunteers, project partners, and the general public.
• During the field season (May - September) spend approximately 30% of the time traveling to conduct fieldwork and deliver training events, at times in remote areas.
• Travel out-of-town for multiple days (approximately 6 overnights per month, potentially more, during the field season) to support the Bumble Bee Atlas and related projects.
• Potentially support other Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas Projects and engage in other endangered species and pollinator conservation projects with the Xerces Society.
• Follow all applicable Xerces Society policies, including those related to overnight and remote fieldwork, and COVID-19 safety protocols.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, salaried, exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Daily work schedule will be flexible, appropriately considering the work hours of project partners; summer months will require approximately 30% travel and some weekend work.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package: twelve paid holidays including two floating holidays that may be used for a personal or religious holiday observed by the employee or other occasion per policy, 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 generous 401k retirement program upon meting eligibility requirements 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: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

PRIORITY REFERRAL OF PROTECTED VETERANS

We request priority referral of protected veterans for all openings with our organization. In order to be considered for employment, all applicants for employment with Xerces Society, apply through our Job Board. When referring or being referred as a candidate, including protected veterans, please refer them to this applicant site; http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Strong knowledge of and experience with bumble bee survey and identification and conservation techniques.
• Experience working with volunteers and building diverse coalitions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders alongside other Xerces Society staff members.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clear emails, and technical documents for diverse audiences.
• Exceptional verbal communication, presentation, and public speaking skills for diverse audiences that include community scientists, land managers, conservation partners, and others.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple, complex projects, to prioritize work, and to consistently deliver high quality work products on schedule.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Project management skills including staff and/or volunteer oversight.
• Possession of a strong conservation ethic.
• Ability to plan and execute a field season, including working in rugged field conditions (i.e. difficult terrain, remote locations, potential hazards, inclement weather), and training volunteers.

PREFFERD

• Familiarity specifically with Midwestern U.S. bumble bees and conservation issues.
• Knowledge of native plant and weed identification in the Midwestern U.S.
• An understanding of the conservation organizations that work in the Midwestern U.S. and an ability to develop partnerships to further the goals of the Bumble Bee Atlas program.
• Experience with ESRI GIS software.
• Proven capacity to manage databases, including database development, management, and queries.
• Web design and social media communication experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• A Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, or similar. More than 4 years of experience in conservation planning, pollinator or wildlife conservation, or equivalent combination of education and experience can substitute for the required degree.
• Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance.
• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle to use for local travel, with mileage reimbursement provided.
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PREFERRED

• Graduate Degree in natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, or similar field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Drive vehicle for periods of time up to 8 hours.
• Move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• With appropriate safety protocols, work outdoors in the field, for 8-10 hours per day, often in sparsely-populated or remote locations, under potentially adverse or difficult conditions such as high heat and humidity, rain, darkness, biting and stinging insects and other wildlife (ticks, snakes, large mammals), or abrasive or poisonous vegetation, among others.
• Ability to traverse through dense vegetation, uneven, slippery or rough terrain, roads and fields, unpaved roads and walkways, and unimproved trails for periods of 8 hours or more.
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone or computer printer for periods of time up to 8 hours.