Current Job Openings

Audubon Canyon Ranch
2009 HELEN PRATT POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) is accepting applications for the Helen Pratt Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. ACR seeks a highly qualified postdoctoral researcher to work on scientific issues relevant to the conservation of colonial waterbirds, or the role of colonial waterbirds in wetland conservation. Particularly appropriate are applicants targeting careers with nonprofit conservation organizations with a focus on estuarine or wetland science. Fellowship selection is based on previous experience and a proposed investigation of herons or egrets (Ardeidae), with a focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Landscape scale habitat relationships of herons or egrets, especially with regard to alternatives for managing wetland landscapes
• Effects of human activity or habitat alteration on demographic patterns in herons or egrets
• Alternatives for management of seasonal wetlands, levees and impounded marshes, or other wetland landscapes
• The role of herons or egrets, as top predators, in the restoration of wetlands or the management of rare or invasive species
• The influence of herons or egrets on the landscape, as agents of connectivity among wetlands or between wetlands and uplands.

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that incorporate collaborative use of available data at Audubon Canyon Ranch, including individual nest data collected twice weekly since 1967 at ACR's Bolinas Lagoon heronry (Pratt and Winkler 1985, Auk 102:49-63) and data on colony size and focal nest success collected monthly since 1991 throughout the northern San Francisco Bay area (Kelly et al. 2007, Waterbirds 30: 455-478; www.egret.org/atlas.html). Additional information on conservation science at Audubon Canyon Ranch is available at www.egret.org/library.html and www.egret.org/sci_cont_pdfs/Scientific_Contributions_20080423.pdf.

The selected Fellow will be expected to collaborate with other ACR scientific staff on the proposed project, provide interim progress reports, and submit one or more finished manuscripts to a peer-reviewed scientific publication. In addition, the Fellow will assume a collaborative role in grant-writing and will be encouraged to use successful funding efforts to support continuing work at ACR, after the two-year Fellowship period has ended.

Selection criteria

• PhD in a field related to the proposed topic of study (or completion of PhD before January 2009).
• Demonstrated ability to publish scientific results
• Prior experience in related study
• Quality of the proposed research, including appropriateness of the design, scope, and analytical approach
• The potential scientific productivity of the project, including the likelihood of producing at least one major scientific publication and the value of the project as basis for continuing investigation
• The practical relevance of the project to regional conservation in the San Francisco Bay area, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, or the Central Valley of California
• The likely contribution of the proposed work to understanding principles in conservation science
• Previous collaborations and current relationships with scientists actively involved in the study of colonial waterbirds
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with collaborators.
• Field research experience and bird identification skills
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations
• Demonstrated ability to win grants

The length of the Fellowship is two years (contingent on satisfactory performance) beginning in January, 2009. The selected Fellow will receive an annual salary of $45,000 per year, plus mileage, an optional medical and dental benefits package, three months per year of full-time field technician assistance, a modest provision for research supplies and equipment, and private housing in a cabin at ACR's Cypress Grove Research Center on Tomales Bay, near Point Reyes National Seashore.

Application process

The application must be submitted as .doc or .pdf files; illustrations can be formatted as separate .jpg or .pdf files. Submit the following materials to cgrc@egret.org, with "HP Fellowship" in the subject line.

APPLICATION OUTLINE

1. Cover letter: introduction and personal statement summarizing experiences that prepare the applicant for the proposed work and how the Fellowship fits into career plans (one page maximum).
2. Proposed research (one-page limit, not including cover page, literature citations, tables, or figures): The text should be single-spaced and presented in at least a 10-point font. Tables and figures must be appended to the body of the text on separate pages or submitted separately; do not incorporate them into the body of the text.
   1. Cover page: project title, applicant's name, current affiliation, address, telephone, and email.
   2. Introduction and rationale: background of scientific problem, conservation relevance, and relevant work to justify the investigation.
   3. Question or hypotheses to be addressed: question or problem stated clearly, followed by precise objectives of the work.
   4. work plan: the anticipated field work and analytical approach.
   5. Anticipated results and value of work
   6. Literature cited
   7. Figures or tables
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Professional references: email and telephone contact information for three references selected from research mentors, scientific collaborators, or colleagues and a brief description of your relationship with each.

HIRING TIMETABLE

• We will begin reviewing applications on November 17, 2008
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled
• We expect the fellowship to begin on or near January 5, 2009

CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

John Kelly: kellyjp@egret.org
Director, Conservation Science and Habitat Protection

Emiko Condeso: emiko@egret.org
Conservation Biologist/GIS Specialist

Download complete description (pdf)

---

Audubon Canyon Ranch
HABITAT PROTECTION AND RESTORATION PROJECT LEADER

Audubon Canyon Ranch is a non-profit system of wildlife sanctuaries and education centers that protects 26 properties in California's Marin and Sonoma counties.

ACR is currently seeking a hard-working, enthusiastic, thoughtful individual to serve as Project Leader for ACR's Habitat Protection and Restoration program. The HPR Project Leader will lead implementation of natural areas restoration projects at our Marin properties. Core projects will be:

1. The Marin native plant propagation facility and associated volunteer program,
2. The Four Canyons Coastal Forest Restoration project,
3. The Toms Point Coastal Dune Restoration project.

The Project Leader will also support ACR's invasive Early Detection/Rapid Response efforts, and will assist ACR's Sonoma Project Leader with vernal pool restoration and rare plant reintroductions. They will also be expected to liaison with other organizations, and participate in collaborations with conservation alliances such as the Marin-Sonoma Weed Management Area and the Bay Area Early Detection Network (BAEDN).

The position is based at ACR's Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, near Stinson Beach, California. The Project Leader will also conduct field work at other ACR preserves and may also work at home contingent on task completion. This is a temporary position, funded at least through November 2009 at 37.5 hours/week. Pay is $16-$18 per hour, depending on experience, and medical benefits.

This position is a great opportunity for the highly organized multi-tasker who enjoys a broad range of responsibilities. The Project Leader will operate with a high degree of autonomy and so must creatively take initiative in implementing goals of the program, while communicating well with supervisor and other colleagues. The position is a good opportunity for a motivated individual to continue their skill development, and we provide support to attend workshops, participate in conferences, stay current with relevant literature, and otherwise build expertise. The work is fulfilling and the job sites are among the most beautiful in the region.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interviews will begin the week of October 6. Please send resume and cover letter to: Daniel Gluesenkamp, Audubon Canyon Ranch at gluesenkamp@egret.org. To find out more about ACR's people, preserves, and programs, please visit our website at http://www.egret.org.

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Habitat Protection and Restoration Project Leader conducts work in support of the ACR Habitat Protection and Restoration Program. Responsibilities include managing native plant propagation work (approximately 30%), mapping, prioritizing, and planning invasive plant removal projects (approximately 30%), implementing restoration projects including scheduling and coordination of habitat restoration volunteers and seasonal staff (approximately 20%), producing written project plans, project reports, and grant reports (10%), and miscellaneous tasks associated with habitat restoration. The Project Leader may also design and conduct research and outreach on topics in restoration ecology and natural areas management. The Project Leader may be asked to represent the HPR program in professional partnerships and at meetings and conferences, exercising responsibility, discretion, and sound judgment. This position will work at ACR preserves in Marin and Sonoma Counties and may work at home contingent on successful task completion.

Status

This is a non-exempt short term/temporary position.

Supervision

The Marin HPR Project Leader works under the direct supervision of the Director of Habitat Protection and Restoration.

Working Conditions

This position will require some weekend work. Work may include physically demanding tasks under adverse field conditions. Work conditions may include multiple concurrent tasks, frequent interruptions, continuous noise, frequent deadlines. Some local travel is required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk uneven trails with variable grade of several miles in length.
• Capabilities and stamina to conduct physically demanding resource management projects.
• Ability to safely perform repetitive finger movements at a computer workstation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and professional experience or advanced training in natural resource management, conservation biology, ecology, habitat restoration, or related field.
• Knowledge of ecological principles and familiarity with the native and non-native flora of Marin and Sonoma counties.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently at repetitive tasks under often inhospitable field conditions.
• Ability to develop a positive working relationship with diverse staff and volunteers.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of native plant seed collection, propagation, and restoration.
• Skill at techniques in ecological restoration and control of invasive plants.
• Ability to coordinate volunteers and communicate with public and partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, and show appropriate levels of problem solving.
• Ability to independently and efficiently plan and manage important complex natural resource management projects.
• Ability to provide training and oversight to ensure safety and security of field crews.

Desired skills

• Strong writing ability, organizational, and reporting skills.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping and inventory techniques.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Access or other database systems.
• QAL or QAC.

Specific Responsibilities

• Lead native plant propagation activities for Marin preserves, including seed collection and storage, native plant propagation, and field planting.
• Manage Bolinas Lagoon Preserve native plant propagation facilities and associated habitat restoration volunteer program.
• Locate, identify, and map invasive plant populations on ACR properties.
• Prioritize, plan, and implement invasive plant eradication projects, maintaining clear records.
• Assist in establishment, treatment, and monitoring of field experiments.
• Recruit, direct, and supervise regular habitat restoration volunteers.
• Determine work techniques, train, and schedule seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Maintain tools and equipment, and obtain tools and field materials as required.
• Develop and manage special projects or perform other tasks as assigned.

Download description as pdf.

---

Volunteering

Read about our Volunteer Opportunities