JOB TITLE: Maine Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Conservation Planner and NRCS Partner Biologist

LOCATION: Bangor, ME

COMPENSATION: $57,033 per year, commensurate with qualifications.

JOB START DATE: April 2023

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis, closed on March 22, 2023

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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

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 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 Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Conservation Planner who will provide habitat conservation planning, technical support and training for USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) field office conservation planners and partners, farmers, pasture managers, foresters, and other agricultural producers in Maine and New England.

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 the Xerces Society Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist (East Region), and in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Maine Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Conservation Planner will provide conservation planning, technical support and training to farmers, other agricultural producers, NRCS field office planners, NRCS state office staff, and other regional conservation partners with a focus on Maine and northern New England states.

Conservation work will focus on the planning, planting, or management of habitat for pollinators, monarch butterflies, and beneficial insects that help control crop pests. This position will help train diverse communities of agricultural land managers and conservation partners about pollinator and beneficial insect conservation on working lands, and help raise awareness about opportunities to receive financial and technical assistance. The ideal candidate will have experience with Farm Bill conservation programs, will have strong teaching and outreach experience, and will be able to develop farm-specific conservation planning guidance that addresses multiple goals of pollinator, beneficial insect, monarch butterfly, wildlife, soil, and water conservation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a team with regional NRCS field offices, Xerces Society Pollinator Program staff, and NRCS state technical experts, this partner biologist will:

• Assist NRCS conservation planners in the development and writing of conservation plans that improve, protect or create pollinator and beneficial insect habitat.
• Provide technical oversight and advice to landowners, NRCS staff and other agency staff on general pollinator, monarch butterfly, bumble bee, beneficial insect, or wildlife habitat restoration projects.
• Provide technical assistance to NRCS conservation planners and biologists, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners, and individuals participating in the New England Pollinator Partnership (NEPP), lead and manage NEPP work, and fulfill documentation and reporting requirements for NEPP.
• Provide technical support and clear information to a variety of agricultural audiences on how they can create pollinator and beneficial insect habitat and protect pollinators and other beneficial insects from pesticide risks.
• Design, coordinate, and present workshops and other trainings throughout the New England states on pollinator conservation and related issues.
• Assist in the creation and dissemination of technical guides on habitat planning and restoration, seed mix design and specifications, and other technical materials and tools used by the NRCS and other agricultural partners in the conservation planning process.
• With support from other Xerces partner biologists and staff, assist NRCS conservation planners in the development of conservation plans and associated guidance to protect pollinators and beneficial insects from pesticide risks through Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) strategies.
• Respond to requests for information from Xerces Society team members, state and federal government agencies, conservation partners, the public, and the media.
• Maintain regular communication with the remotely based Supervisor.
• Communicate ongoing work plans, progress, reporting and other updates clearly with the Xerces Society, NRCS, and other conservation partners to maintain a successful and productive partnership.
• Work with native plant nurseries to increase the availability of native plants and seed for pollinator habitat restoration projects.
• Regularly drive and/or travel by airline to meet with partners or visit field sites.

STATUS: Full-Time, salaried, exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Schedule can be made flexible and opportunity for partial remote work location can be made (with in the state of Maine), consistent with work requirements.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; twelve paid holidays, paid time off accrued at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule), medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, short-term disability insurance where not provided under state law, long-term disability insurance, participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting 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; https://xerces.org/job-opportunities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Knowledge of the ecology of bees, butterflies, other pollinators, or beneficial insects.
• Knowledge and experience in wildlife habitat planning, enhancement, restoration and management unique to Maine / New England landscapes. This could include experience with cover-cropping, grassland restoration, hedgerow design, riparian and wetland restoration, native plant establishment, and/or invasive species control.
• Understanding of regional farming systems and crops, including pesticides and pesticide use, and experience with common agricultural practices of New England.
• Ability to understand, interpret, synthesize, and effectively communicate complex scientific information related to invertebrate conservation, habitat restoration, pest management, plant establishment, pesticide usage, and impacts on invertebrates.
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices, Conservation Biological Control, and other strategies for reducing negative impacts of pest management on pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Excellent written communication skills in English, including the ability to write clear email, conservation plans, and technical documents for diverse audiences.
• A demonstrated successful history of collaborative work, experience working with diverse partners and audiences to share, develop, and collaborate on farm conservation projects and/or outreach.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Exceptional verbal communication skills in English, as well as presentation and public speaking skills for diverse audiences.
• 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).
• Ability to travel out-of-town for multiple days (approximately 4 overnights per month) to support conservation planning in Maine and other parts of New England.

PREFERRED

• Experience working in or with an USDA NRCS field office, implementing the NRCS conservation planning process, and using NRCS conservation planning tools.
• Knowledge of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs and the work of the NRCS or the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
• Cross-cultural, multicultural, and/or multilingual skills, background, or experience. Preferably basic Spanish-language ability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree strongly preferred) in natural resource management, ecology, agronomy, conservation biology, entomology, wildlife biology, horticulture, or more than 4 years of experience in conservation planning, agriculture, wildlife conservation, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 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 current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

• Able to move and transport supplies, materials, equipment weighing up to 30 lbs
• Occasionally work in the field for 8-12 hours per day under adverse weather conditions.
• Frequently traverse across agricultural roads and fields, unpaved roads and walkways, and unimproved trails for periods of 2-8 hours.
• Occasionally drive vehicle or fly by commercial airline for periods of up to 8 hours
• Able to work in stationary position for periods of 1-8 hours.

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