Audubon Texas is a leader and integral member of a community of conservation practice, founded in a 100-year legacy of coastal stewardship while establishing innovative programs to protect, conserve, and enhance habitat for a wide variety of bird species throughout the Lone Star State and beyond. The Range Ecologist will be primarily focused on conservation delivery in South Texas, with some work in other parts of the state and Mexico as opportunities and capacity permit.
The Range Ecologist will work closely with local landowners to implement working lands conservation programs, including the Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) Program and a variety of voluntary Rangeland and grassland conservation tools. The Range Ecologist will work in partnership within a community of practice including migratory bird joint ventures, conservation organizations, and agencies to deliver robust private landowner programming. Audubon’s working lands programs in Texas aim to improve private landowners’ ability to practice bird-friendly land management. The Range Ecologist will be responsible for engaging, cultivating, and enrolling landowners into these programs and assisting them with implementation of innovative land management practices.
Through the development of habitat management plans (HMPs), an integral ACR conservation tool, the Range Ecologist will partner with landowners to determine land management goals and ensure program compliance. These HMPs support practices such as adaptive grazing, prescribed fire, grass and rangeland restoration, invasive species removal, and establishing rotational grazing infrastructure. HMPs rely on the designation of priority grassland bird species for each ranch or project site. The Range Ecologist will also conduct vegetation diversity and use monitoring to ensure landowners are compliant with program goals and are enhancing their grasslands to benefit grassland birds.
This position is remote with the team member residing and working in south Texas.
Compensation:
$48,000 - $53,000 / year
Additional Job Description
Essential Functions
Liaise with landowners providing excellent technical service to agricultural producers participating in Audubon’s working lands conservation programs. Specifically,
Facilitate demand for Audubon conservation programs through partnerships with local agencies and organizations.
Connect with local conservation professionals and organizations to deliver programs and recruit new program participants.
Provide timely access to financial assistance programs for enrolled ranches, through Audubon, local, state, and federal financial assistance opportunities. Refer producers to partner conservation programs when applicable.
Establish and maintain professional relationships with ranchers and landowners participating in Audubon’s working lands programs.
Communicate program goals and work with rancher/landowner to develop site-specific farm habitat conservation plans for each assigned ranch or project.
Execute agreements and plan projects for landowners participating in financial assistance conservation programs.
Facilitate enrollment process and assist Audubon project budget tracking.
Apply a new, decision-support tool to the Matagorda Bay watershed to help ranchers and partners identify conservation priorities.
Advocate for science-supported habitat management on partner lands.
Establish habitat management plans using SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time sensitive) goals on all enrolled program ranches.
Conduct and/or oversee essential avian and grassland monitoring on program lands.
Identify monitoring needs regarding avian and vegetation communities; develop and implement monitoring techniques to address land use, avian density and occupancy, and vegetation response to disturbance.
Support grant writing related to Audubon Conservation work.
Participate in local events targeted at youth, professionals, or the general community to share expertise.
Maintain excellent communication with supervisor and administrative staff.
Participate in partner meetings and conferences.
Identify and participate in opportunities that allow for continued professional growth and aimed at improving skills related to grassland management and avian conservation.
Attend training events held by local partners, such as NRCS, USFWS, State DNR, Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and others.
Serve as a resource for local producers and partners.
Plan and participate in landowner workshops and other educational events.
Represent Audubon at events to promote and educate the public on Audubon’s working lands programs, grassland bird conservation, and grassland management practices.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in range management, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, or related field required, advance degree a plus. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Three years of experience with project development/coordination, conservation planning or similar work.
Experience working with local agencies and organizations to help ranchers secure cost-share and incentive program funding to implement improved rangeland management practices.
Experience coordinating/facilitating field days, workshops, webinars, and/or symposium.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, public presentation, and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, contract and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.
Ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals (e.g. conservation partners, private landowners and ranchers, volunteers, and local community members).
Experience with grassland/ vegetation plant identification and management knowledge.
Experience with avian identification and management knowledge.
Experience with sampling methods, wildlife surveys, and habitat management.
Knowledge and appreciation of the ranching culture, range management issues, and sustainable ranching practices.
Working knowledge of ArcGIS, GPS and other GIS technologies including map making and data management/organization.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other key Microsoft Office and web-based products.
Must be able to work autonomously and within a team.
Possess a valid driver’s license for safe operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Ability to traverse long distances on uneven terrain and comfort to drive on unpaved surfaces with or without accommodation.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
Must be comfortable with extensive day travel and occasional overnight travel, as necessary.
Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings as the job demands.
Familiarity with grassland bird ranges and their habitat associations is a must.
Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish is a plus.
EEO Statement
The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.
Accessibility Statement
The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Apply here: https://audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Audubon/job/Audubon-Texas---State-Office/Range-Ecologist_JR271
