Full-Time Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coodinator
Job Description
Position Description
Title: Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Manager: Director of Conservation
Location: Warrenton, Va.
Job Classification: Full Time Non-Exempt
Introduction
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that has proudly promoted and protected the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont since 1972. PEC empowers residents to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place, and works with citizens to conserve land, protect air and water quality, celebrate historic resources, build smart transportation networks, promote sustainable energy choices, restore wildlife habitat and improve people’s access to nature (learn more about PEC).
Description
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) is seeking to hire a Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator to further PEC’s mission by leading a diverse portfolio of civic engagement and natural resource stewardship projects focusing on the enhancement of wildlife habitat and restoration of land and water resources in PEC’s nine county service area. The Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator will work to advance the following goals:
- Coordinate with other public and private partners to enhance wildlife conservation and restoration of land and water resources in the Piedmont region, working both at the site and landscape scale; and
- Outreach and education to landowners, farmers, and professional advisers on local wildlife conservation tools and techniques that can be adopted to improve wildlife habitat and stewardship of land and water resources; and
- Showcase natural resource stewardship and restoration projects at PEC properties, designing and implementing public accessible projects that highlight the benefits of managing lands for habitat and resource stewardship; and
- Provide training to PEC staff to develop in-house capacity and professional knowledge on managing and implementing stewardship and restoration projects; and
- Increase positive awareness of PEC and build support for PEC programs.
The Piedmont region represents a compelling platform for undertaking landscape scale natural resource conservation and restoration initiatives, given that some 575,000 acres or 25 percent of PEC’s region consists of public and private lands that are permanently conserved. These lands include portions of Shenandoah National Park, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Sky Meadows State Park, the Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, and the C.F.Phelps, G.R.Thompson, and Rapidan Wildlife Management Areas.
Areas of Responsibility
The Wildlife Habitat Specialist will be responsible for executing a diverse portfolio of natural resource and wildlife habitat restoration projects, property management and civic engagement efforts that further PEC’s mission. While the Habitat Specialist will work throughout PEC’s nine-county region, the successful candidate will focus on leveraging regional conservation and stewardship partnerships to implement restoration projects and manage PEC’s fee simple lands. In addition to technical expertise on habitat and restoration, the position requires outreach and education for landowners, public land management agencies, and the general public.
Examples of activities include:
- Managing natural resource restoration projects and the visitor experience at PEC owned properties, which include PEC’s Piedmont Memorial Overlook (PMO), Roundabout Meadows, and Horner Street properties. Learn more about the Piedmont Memorial Overlook and the Larson Native Plant Garden.
- Initiating, leading, and/or collaborating with allied conservation partners to undertake community based conservation efforts related to enhancing wildlife habitat and improving stewardship of land and water resources. Learn more about existing collaborations, like:
- PEC’s collaboration with the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service and others to restore native brook trout habitat
- The Headwater Stream Initiative, a partnership between PEC and the Friends of the Rappahannock to provide free technical assistance, project design, materials, and labor for the planting of native trees and shrubs in riparian zones.
- PEC’s partnership with the Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes to launch the new Piedmont Grassland Bird Initiative, a collaborative research, education, and outreach program aimed at implementing a suite of farm management practices that can benefit imperiled grassland birds, as well as improve and restore ecosystem functionality on these working landscapes.
- Organizing landowner workshops, professional conferences, on site field walks, and other education and outreach activities that provide venues for communicating to the general public PEC’s work and related tools and techniques for enhancing wildlife habitat and resource conservation stewardship.
- Meeting with landowners to provide site specific technical assistance and related information on wildlife habitat and resource management options.
- Teaming with other PEC staff to identify, develop, and pursue Federal, state, and/or local policy priorities that support and enhance wildlife conservation and habitat restoration efforts in the Piedmont.
- Leading and/or organizing training that expands PEC staff and the Board of Directors knowledge of tools and techniques available for enhancing wildlife habitat and improving natural resource stewardship.
- Collaborating with PEC communications and development staff to secure appropriate funding and highlight the benefits of PEC’s work in the region.
- Providing appropriate management and oversight of grant funding allocated for wildlife habitat and resource conservation activities.
The Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator reports to PEC’s Director of Conservation, but will also work closely with other field representatives, departments within PEC, and members of the PEC Board of Directors.
This position will be based at PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required. 2-4 years work experience or Graduate degree in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, wildlife conservation or related field preferred.
- Experience with scheduling and overseeing land management activities, including supervision of employees and contractors.
- A working knowledge of plant and wildlife communities of Virginia is preferred.
- A working knowledge of regional land and wildlife conservation policy preferred.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills, both written and oral, including ability to write, edit, and proofread written materials for use in communicating with the PEC Board of Directors, PEC staff, PEC members, and the public at large.
- Ability to organize, coordinate and manage diverse projects, activities, and deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with a diverse constituency including elected officials, non-profit representatives, neighborhood associations, and individual citizens with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
- Experience working with rural landowners and the farming community is preferred.
- Experience working with local residents and/or community organizations, particularly in leading public outreach and/or education campaigns.
- Knowledge and experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office productivity software. Familiarity with ArcMap a plus.
- Requires minimal supervision.
- Willing to work some weekends and evenings.
- Valid driver’s and reliable transportation required.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and perform manual labor as it pertains to property management required.
Compensation
Salary range of $21.63 to $31.25 per hour, depending on qualifications.
Benefits
PEC offers an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, short and long term disability and term life insurance, a 403 (b) employee pension plan, HSA and FSA options and some employer paid additional supplemental insurance benefits including accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity. Upon employment, you will be entitled to paid holidays and will begin accruing personal leave as designated in the PEC Employee Handbook. PEC also offers employees one day of leave per year to perform volunteer work.
Application Process
To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to
ap***@pe***.org
.
The Piedmont Environmental Council is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women and persons of color are encouraged. Resume reviews begin immediately.
How to Apply
To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to apply@pecva.org.1064 total views, 0 today