Current Midwest Bird Conservation Job Opportunities (Updated 5/13/2013)

[Katie Koch]

1) Minnesota Golden-winged Warbler Private Lands Coordinator (closes May 30, 2013)

Supervisor: Migratory Bird Program Director

Location: NRCS office in Duluth, MN

Application Deadline: May 30, 2013

Term of Position: Approx. June 17, 2013 to July 1, 2015

 

Introduction and Primary Duties:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is looking for a motivated individual to work effectively with private forest landowners and local partners in Minnesota to implement best management practices for Golden-winged Warblers and other wildlife associated with early successional habitat on private lands.

Minnesota is a key state in an international initiative to save the Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA) from further population decline. Minnesota has the highest number of breeding GWWAs in the country and the second highest population of breeding American Woodcock, another young forest Coordinator. Successfully achieving GWWA population goals will require creating, restoring and maintaining high quality young forest in Minnesota. To accomplish this young forest (or early successional habitat) best management practices for GWWA have been designed. Efforts are underway on public lands to ensure sufficient habitat is available for this species. However, a large percent of available habitat management and improvement opportunities are on private lands.

American Bird Conservancy has secured funds to hire a Golden-winged Warbler Private Lands Coordinator who will be responsible for identifying and overseeing the implementation of GWWA best management practices on private lands in Minnesota. The Private Lands Coordinator’s main duties will be to work within the GWWA focal areas to:

• Work with local partners such as NRCS, MN-DNR, USFWS, local foresters and others to promote young forest management, identify landowners and management opportunities and assist with preparation, and oversee the implementation of Early Successional Habitat on at least 1,500 acres of private lands (commercial or non-commercial) using GWWA best management practices.
• Develop site specific Early Successional Habitat Management Plans according to NRCS practice standards and GWWA best management practices.
• Work with landowners, local foresters and contractors to coordinate work and solicit bids for habitat restoration activities and timber sales; in order to implement habitat restoration plans.
• Communicate with, and provide technical assistance to, private landowners as well as local, state and federal agencies on implementation of best management practices for young forest focal species.
• Lead habitat management workshops and conduct outreach meetings to train and identify others for early successional habitat management to benefit the Golden-winged warbler and associated species.
• Identify future sites for early successional habitat implementation or restoration and develop plan for future implementation of GWWA best management practices on 9000 acres of private lands.
• Monitor and track project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and possibly assist with focal species monitoring pre and post treatment.

Position Requirements:

• The position requires excellent networking and communication skills (presentation, inter-personal, reading, writing); project management experience, and organizing and leadership skills.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in wildlife management, forestry, or environmental sciences, or a related field. A deep understanding of conservation implementation, habitat management, ornithology, forestry, and wildlife biology desired.  

• Professional knowledge and skills to assess, devise, and apply strategies for natural resource management as to meet desired wildlife habitat objectives. Experience developing and implementing site specific forest management plans/practices and the ability to utilize forest inventory tools/inventory protocol.

• Experience working with private landowners as well as public agencies (ex. NRCS, MN-DNR, USFWS) as well as knowledge of landowner incentive programs desired.
• Knowledge of NRCs landowner cost-share programs such as EQIP and WHIP.

• A general knowledge of environment laws, regulations and policies to insure legal standards are met in formulation of habitat development and restoration activities.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results and meet deadlines. Proven ability to be self-motivated, responsible and solve problems. Applicant must be able to develop and manage their daily work schedule to achieve results.

• Ability to use ArcGIS and Google Maps to identify and delineate project boundaries.

• Willing and able to work in physically challenging environment under adverse conditions.

• Coordinator may be required to participate in specific training programs in order to use partner facilities and equipment. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license.

The Private Lands Coordinator will be based out of a local partner office in Duluth, MN. The Private Lands Coordinator is an ABC employee, represents ABC in their work and will report to ABC’s Migratory Bird Program Director and ABC’s Golden-winged Warbler Breeding Ground Coordinator. The Private Lands Coordinator will also be responsible to, and will be communicating and coordinating activities with, the staff manager of the local partner organization office where housed.

Application Instructions: Please send a cover letter and resume to

Merrie Morrison

Vice President of Operations

P.O. Box 249

The Plains, VA 20198 or by email to:  [e-mail]

2) Golden-winged Warbler Public Lands Coordinator (MN) - closes May 21, 2013

Supervisor: Migratory Bird Program Director

Location: Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Rochert, MN

Application Deadline: May 21, 2013

Term of Position: Approx. June 15, 2013 to June 15, 2015

 Introduction and Primary Duties:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is looking for a motivated individual who is able to work effectively in partnership with public conservation agencies in Minnesota to implement best management practices for Golden-winged Warblers and other wildlife associated with early successional habitat on public lands

Minnesota is a key state in an international initiative to save the Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA), from further population decline. Minnesota has the highest number of breeding GWWAs in the country and the second highest population of breeding American Woodcock, another young forest specialist. Successfully achieving GWWA population goals will require creating, restoring and maintaining high quality young forest in Minnesota. To accomplish this young forest (or early successional habitat) best management practices for GWWA have been developed. Efforts on private lands that are complimentary to the public lands efforts will also be taking place in the region.

American Bird Conservancy has secured funds to hire a Golden-winged Warbler Public Lands Coordinator who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of early successional habitat on public lands in Minnesota. The Public Lands Coordinator’s main duties will be to work with public land partners (county, state, fed, tribal) within high priority GWWA focal areas to:

·         Promote young forest management, identify locations, and oversee implementation of  best management practices on 1,100 acres of public lands within the GWWA Focal Area GL – 4 (NE and Northcentral MN).

·         Identify potential private lands to acquire for conservation and transfer to public ownership with The Conservation Fund.

·         Provide technical assistance to local, state and federal agencies on implementation of best management practices for young forest focal species and help prepare sites (i.e., project boundary or tree marking) for restoration or management activities as needed

·         Prepare site based habitat management plans for implementation of best management practices and work with public agencies to amend existing management plans accordingly.

·         Work with local foresters to solicit bids for restoration activities and timber sales.

·         Participate in, or lead, habitat management workshops to train others on how to plan and implement early successional habitat management to benefit the Golden-winged warbler and associated species.

·         Monitor and track project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting. Assist with focal species monitoring pre and post treatment

 

Position Requirements:

·         The position requires excellent networking and communication skills (presentation, inter-personal, reading, and writing); project management experience, and organizing and leadership skills. Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results and meet deadlines required 

·         Bachelor’s degree or higher in wildlife management, forestry, or environmental sciences, or a related field. A deep understanding of conservation implementation, habitat management, ornithology, forestry, and wildlife biology will be necessary.  

·         Professional knowledge and skills to assess, devise, and apply strategies for natural resource management as to meet desired wildlife habitat objectives.

·         A general knowledge of environment laws, regulations and policies to insure legal standards are met in formulation of habitat development and restoration activities.

·         Previous experience working with public agencies (e.g. USFWS, MN-DNR, Co. Forests) is desired.

·         Ability to be self-motivated, responsible and solve problems is necessary. Applicant must be able to develop and manage their daily work schedules to achieve results. 

·         Ability to use ArcGis and Google Maps to identify and delineate project boundaries.

·         Ability and willingness to work in often physically challenging environment under adverse weather conditions.

·         Ability to identify local MN migratory birds by sight and sound also necessary.

The Coordinator will be based out of the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Office in Rochert, Minnesota. The Coordinator is an ABC employee, represents ABC in their work and will report to ABC’s Migratory Bird Program Director and Golden-winged Warbler Breeding Habitat Coordinator. The coordinator will also be responsible to, and will be communicating and coordinating activities with, the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Manager who is hosting the position. The Coordinator will be required to participate in Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) training programs, including wild land fire certification, in order to use FWS facilities and equipment and participate in management activities. A vehicle may be provided by the FWS, however applicant must have own vehicle which could be used for the project when necessary. Mileage will be reimbursed.

Application Instructions: Please send a cover letter and resume to

Merrie Morrison

Vice President of Operations

P.O. Box 249

The Plains, VA 20198 or by email to:  [e-mail]