Non-Lead Outreach Specialist

Position Overview:

Ventana Wildlife Society is seeking a part-time specialist in Monterey, California to assist with non-lead ammunition outreach in central and southern California. This outreach will support California Condor recovery efforts through a program that has distributed more than 12,000 boxes of free non-lead ammunition to local hunters and ranchers since 2012. The successful applicant will help this non-profit organization continue their support of regional hunters and ranchers by conducting ammunition transfers and promoting the use of non-lead ammunition. This position will require some overnight travel to visit with hunters and ranchers, and office time for contacting hunters, processing ammunition requests, conducting state-mandated eligibility checks, and scheduling ammunition transfers. The outreach specialist will work with our team of biologists and GIS specialists to develop priorities and areas of focus for non-lead ammunition outreach efforts.

Required skills and experience:

·         A valid California Driver’s License

·         Experience and familiarity with hunting.

·         Ability to communicate well with hunters and ranchers.

·         Ability and desire to promote the use of non-lead ammunition.

·         Familiarity with non-lead ammunition, including the California Fish and Wildlife list of certified non-lead ammunition, and the characteristics, performance and availability of various brands.

·         An understanding of the ammunition market and ability to network with local stores and retailers.

·         Knowledge of state regulations regarding the purchasing of ammunition and the use of non-lead ammunition.

·         Must possess a current Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by Department of Justice based on a firearms eligibility criminal background check of the applicant. Application for a COE may be completed during a probation period after hiring. Ventana Wildlife Society will cover fees associated with COE applications and renewals during employment.  

·         Use of a personal vehicle for travel when Ventana Wildlife Society-owned vehicles are not available. Mileage will be reimbursed. Some travel on dirt roads might be required to access ranches.

·         Familiarity with California Condors and local wildlife.

Specific Duties Include, but not limited to:

·         Support Ventana Wildlife Society mission to conserve native wildlife and their habitats, including ongoing California Condor recovery efforts.

·         Assist the non-lead outreach coordinator in all phases of ammunition distribution, including ordering ammunition, managing stock, processing ammunition requests, conducting state-mandated eligibility checks for all applicants, scheduling ammunition transfers, and conducting ammunition transfers in several counties of central and southern California. Ammunition transfers will require occasional overnight travel. 

·         Regularly communicate with local retailers to determine current availability of popular non-lead ammunition brands.

·         Work with staff GIS specialists to identify priorities for non-lead ammunition outreach, based on California Condor movement patterns, and contact landowners in those priority areas.

·         Plan regular events in collaboration with key ammunition retailers in the California Condor range to facilitate the distribute of non-lead ammunition.