Date of posting here Feb 26, 2008 Type of position Regular, full-time position Employer Catalina Island Conservancy Location Santa Catalina Island, 22 miles off the Southern California coastline Salary dependent upon experience/education Benefits We offer a full benefit package, including medical, dental, life insurance, etc. Most benefits for the employee are paid for by the Conservancy; a small contribution is required for dependent coverage. Closing date of competition March 31, 2008 Date position available February 27, 2008 Description of duties Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following: Collect and manage data for multiple vegetation inventory, monitoring, and research projects which provide baseline information, track plant community changes, and assess the effects of natural and human-caused processes and events (such as fire or the effect of introduced herbivores and/or their removal) at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Enter data using appropriate word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs. Conduct rare plant and habitat surveys and monitoring of selected populations. Design and implement rare plant and habitat protection strategies and research projects as appropriate. Assist in the preparation of progress reports and final reports for ongoing studies. Assist in the preparation and submission of manuscripts for publication. Utilize GPS units to collect field data. Incorporate data into the Conservancy's geographic information system (GIS). Manage, analyze, and maintain organization of the Conservancy's plant GIS database to make it readily usable by Conservation (and other) Department staff. Supervise one or more field assistants, volunteers, and contractors as needed. Provide assistance and information to visiting researchers, other island landowners and entities, and other Conservancy staff (including Education, Communications, Development, Trails, and Facilities Maintenance) as appropriate. Participate in departmental work days including outplanting, invasive plant removal, plant propagation, cleaning, and other organizational functions. Give periodic presentations to the general public and staff. Compose and gather material for organizational newsletters, publications, and website. Assist in the development of informational pamphlets, signage, and other materials. Maintain photomonitoring points. Re-locate historical photograph sites and assess changes to island vegetation. Contribute to and manage a library of plant, habitat, project, and landscape photographs. Qualifications sought Education: B.A. or B.S. in botany, biology, environmental studies, or equivalent from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience in natural resource monitoring. An educational institution recognized as accredited by the U.S. Department of Education must have issued degrees. Degrees issued by educational institutions outside the U.S. must include documentation validating the equivalency of that degree to the same degree in the U.S. to be considered. Experience: The successful applicant will demonstrate most or all of the following qualifications: Experience in implementing diverse natural community and species-specific monitoring and research programs along with quantitative analysis of collected data and report preparation. Experience identifying plants to the sub-species level using taxonomic keys essential. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Familiarity with flora, fauna, natural communities, ecology and natural history of the ecoregion desired. Familiarity with island ecology, conservation biology, ecological restoration, southern California fire ecology and management and impacts of invasive plant and animal species also desired. Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to set and meet goals and deadlines. Ability to work on several projects simultaneously. Good organizational and time management skills with attention to detail. Ability to resolve complex issues independently, find creative solutions, and make sound decisions based on analysis, experience, and judgment. Ability to effectively communicate complex biological and conservation principles to diverse audiences. Ability to function flexibly and effectively in a complex organizational environment with a range of different departments and operations. Ability to work both independently or as part of a team is essential. Familiarity with federal and state environmental laws and regulations related to listed species, wetlands and streambeds a plus. Supervisory experience in managing employees, volunteers and others with varying skills a plus. Technical skills: Knowledge of basic word processing and database programs needed. Experience with GPS and GIS a plus. Possession of Class C Drivers License required. Four wheel drive experience a plus. Photography skills, particularly macro-scale, desirable. Experience using both manual and power tools and CPR/first aid certification a plus. Careful and conscientious; attention to detail essential. Experience with graphics and design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Pagemaker a plus. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Position involves functioning in both field and office environments. Field work involves manual labor; hiking long distances over rugged terrain and through dense scrub; and routine handling of plants. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The office environment has moderate noise levels and is a non-smoking environment. Field conditions are strongly weather-dependent and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending on season and degree of exposure. Smoking is allowed only at limited designated field sites. Work may be conducted independently or with groups of staff and volunteers. Hiking conditions include steep, rugged terrain with occasionally unstable rocky substrate and cactus. Wild animals, including bison and rattlesnakes, may also be encountered in the field and pose some threat. Must be willing to live and work on Catalina. Contact for additional information Lynndy Kennedy HR Consultant (562) 437-8555 ext. 232 Application procedure   Submit what Please submit cover letter and resume. Submit to Lynndy Kennedy HR Consultant Catalina Island Conservancy LKennedy@CatalinaConservancy.org