Monarch Joint Venture Job Posting: Regional Pollinator Habitat Specialist

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Monarch Joint Venture Job Posting
Position Title: Regional Pollinator Habitat Specialist
Full-time with benefits
Location: Central Valley, California (seeking remote employee, office not provided)
Compensation: $45,000 – $50,000, commensurate with experience
Start Date: March 2020
Application Deadline: 2/6/2020
​Travel required: yes, primarily local

​Position Summary: Join the growing team of the Monarch Joint Venture, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving the monarch butterfly migration across North America. The Regional Habitat Specialist is a 2- year position, with opportunity for extension, that will work closely with agricultural landowners and land managers to implement monarch and pollinator habitat projects in agricultural areas throughout the Central Valley of California. Job duties will include forming collaborative relationships with agricultural producers as well as conservation and other stakeholders in the region. The geographic scope of the work is limited to the Central Valley of California.

Through conservation planning, technical guidance and training, contract coordination, site evaluation and reporting, the Regional Pollinator Habitat Specialist will equip agricultural landowners and land managers with the informational and program resources they need to implement diverse pollinator habitat projects on their lands.

​The position reports to the MJV Executive Director, based in Minnesota. They will work closely with western-based government and non-governmental connections of the Monarch Joint Venture, including the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, Project Apis m., and more.

Primary Duties:
• Engage with farmers to provide one-on-one technical assistance in designing, establishing and managing habitat for monarchs and pollinators on agricultural lands. Provide guidance in the development and implementation of farm and project conservation plans.

• Communicate important messages related to pollinator conservation, habitat development and management in a manner that works with agriculture, resource agencies and other conservation interests.

• Enhance landowner engagement beyond monarch butterfly conservation.

• Provide outreach, workshops, demonstrations, and presentations to increase awareness and recruit land managers.

• Regular travel to local farms to provide technical assistance and some travel annually to meetings or conferences to present outcomes and engage with other agricultural stakeholders.

• Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Duties:
• Build landscape- and community- based partnerships to ensure implemented practices are sustained.

• Work with MJV staff and other partners to facilitate tracking and evaluation of habitat and to create or improve technical informational material on monarch-friendly practices.

• Foster and provide guidance for the development of long-term monarch habitat initiatives in the western region of the U.S.

Qualifications Summary:
The ideal candidate will be an independent, self-motivated conservation professional with experience working with farmers, ranchers, federal and nonfederal conservation programs, and who is familiar with native habitat restoration practices in the western landscape of the U.S. Required

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, or at least three years of related career experience.

• Strong organizational and communication skills, including excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Experience working with agricultural producers and conservation stakeholders and working knowledge of farm operations and agricultural practices in the California Central Valley.

• Experience with providing habitat technical assistance, including conservation planning, habitat implementation and management, and evaluation.

• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently

• Experience with keeping track of multiple projects and activities

• Willingness to travel frequently

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of monarch, insect or pollinator biology/ecology

• Knowledge of regulatory and conservation incentive programs, particularly USDA Farm Bill Conservation programs, state conservation programs, and other local or NGO programs.

• Familiarity with state decision-making processes related to wildlife and natural resource conservation issues

• Ability to develop and maintain partnerships in a collaborative and advisory capacity for effective habitat conservation

• Pesticide applicators license

• Bilingual (Spanish, English)

Affirmative Action: The Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) is an equal opportunity employer. As such, MJV offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. These opportunities include all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination. All employees are expected to adhere to this policy. The Monarch Joint Venture is an at-will employer. 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.

To apply, submit a cover letter that outlines your interest in this position, resume, and the names and contact information for 3 references by email to wcaldwell@monarchjointventure.org.

For more information about the MJV, please visit our website: monarchjointventure.org.

With questions regarding this position, please contact Wendy Caldwell, wcaldwell@monarchjointventure.org.