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Restoration Ecologist

Job Title: 
Restoration Ecologist
Company, Organization, or University: 
The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
Location: 
Northwest Ohio preferred
Description: 

The preferred office location is Northwest Ohio, but other locations may be considered.

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.

We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Restoration Ecologist provides technical leadership and support within TNC Ohio’s natural infrastructure strategy, which involves restoration of wetlands, floodplains, and riparian corridors to improve streams and lakes impacted by nutrients using scientific and collaborative approaches to achieve results. Ohio is rich in important water resources, and fortunately, growing awareness of threats to drinking water and support for water quality improvements is driving new opportunities for conservation across the state and region that will benefit nature and human wellbeing. TNC has ambitious goals to restore target watersheds most impacted by nutrient enrichment, focused in the Western Lake Erie, Scioto, and Great Miami watersheds. The Restoration Ecologist addresses these critical threats, fosters cross-site learning among the conservation community, and coordinates community support. They implement strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities to maximize conservation outcomes. They manage the planning and implementation of multiple restoration projects across the state of Ohio including ongoing efforts on the Lake Erie coast. They will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, celebrates innovation, values collaborative approaches, and seeks lasting conservation results. They report to the Ohio Natural Infrastructure Director and work across priority Western Lake Erie Basin watersheds and our coastal wetlands. Strong preference is for this position to report to northwest Ohio, but other locations may be considered.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Primary responsibilities involve identifying, evaluating, and managing multiple restoration projects, including drafting concept plans, reviewing and implementing design plans, developing scopes of work, budgets, requests for proposals, contracts, and grant applications, coordinating and overseeing contractors, and performing ecological assessments. Additional functions include building relationships with and capacity of partners, coordinating community support, assisting with accessing funding to advance projects, and meeting deadlines, all in coordination with TNC staff and partners to implement successful projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

Manages all elements of restoration planning and projects.
Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
Financial responsibilities include developing and managing budgets and negotiating and contracting with vendors.
Ensures project compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Gains cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain under physically demanding circumstances.
May supervise staff/volunteers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in ecological restoration or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to effectively collaborate, proactively grow network of partners, and manage contractors on all aspects of restoration projects.
Experience negotiating.
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timelines.
Proficiency with Microsoft applications and GPS, and familiarity with ESRI products.
Must have, or when appropriate be able to obtain a valid driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated
Proficiency with ESRI products.
Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to apply science in decision-making and to guide activities.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
Experience in plant management, wetland and stream delineations and assessments, and restoration design.
Experience with grant writing and preparing scopes of work for stream and wetland restoration, enhancement, or re-establishment.
Experience with contract preparation and management, contractor oversight, budget management, and permitting processes.
Proficiency in developing and implementing monitoring protocols to evaluate project performance and success criteria.
Demonstrated understanding of ecological processes influencing coastal, wetland, and stream ecosystems in Ohio.
Experience developing and managing multiple projects, including ability to create and meet timelines.
Excellent communication skills via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.
Boat operator certification and experience.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

SALARY INFORMATION

The budgeted salary range for this job starts at $56,500.

Application Deadline: 
Friday, May 28, 2021
Application Instructions: 
HOW TO APPLY To apply to position number 49725, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. Applications will be reviewed in the order they’re received. The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM EST on May 28, 2021. Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.
Contact: 
Erin O'Rourke
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