Wildlife Biologist (Preserve Manager) – Riverside / Coachella Valley
Sequence, the industry's leading search firm for niche environmental related personnel, has been exclusively retained and is currently searching for a key Preserve Manager for the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM).
This is currently one of the region's most high-profile positions of its type. An opportunity to find a long-term home with one of the West’s most respected non-profits with mission of perpetual stewardship for natural and created conservation lands. CNLM currently has a preserve portfolio of over 100 preserves that combined represent more than 75,000 acres of high conservation value.
The ideal individual would be an experienced professional who can provide stewardship, adaptive management oversight, and leadership for a portfolio of preserves throughout the Coachella Valley and Central Riverside County. Of note will be oversight of the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve. This nearly 900 acres preserve was established primarily for the protection and conservation of the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard and desert pupfish. Its great land diversity includes desert scrub, desert palm oases, desert wetlands, and desert sand dunes. The dramatically beautiful, ever-changing, and sometimes harsh desert environment requires a well-informed commitment to stewardship. Like others under management, this preserve also offers public opportunities for walking on trails and natural resource education via informative signs, docent-led tours, and interactions with staff and volunteers onsite.
The key preserve manager role includes responsibility for biological monitoring, vegetation management, and general management of visitor services. This position provides an opportunity for the successful applicant to make a significant and direct contribution to conservation of precious desert environments and their resident species.
General Duties of the position include:
- Provide stewardship and adaptive management for the portfolio of preserves, including planning, management, enhancement (biological and other – e.g., weather, hydrological) monitoring, reporting, budget preparation and management, and other activities.
- Review monitoring protocols, analyze and interpret the results of monitoring activities, and incorporate this information into management activities and plans.
- Develop and maintain a permanent record of preserve activities, decisions taken, and preserve conditions.
- Participate in planning and community meetings as a representative of CNLM and lead outreach as needed – especially with neighboring landowners, police and fire departments, regulatory and other natural resource agencies and entities, and sovereign tribes, as appropriate.
- Prepare and implement annual work plans, budgets, and reports.
- Identify any additional (beyond provided budget and work plan) important activities, develop plans, and participate in efforts to acquire additional resources.
- Manage and monitor fish population and aquatic conditions (may involve coordination with permitted biologists/regulatory agency personnel).
- Monitor occurrences and populations of native, listed, and non-native species of plants and animals.
- Implement vegetation treatment activities for high-priority nonnative invasive plant species.
- Support public visitor services by supervising and recruiting, as needed, volunteer corps; provide educational materials and opportunities
- Maintain visitor infrastructure, including composting toilets, kiosks, trails, fences and gates, and signs, etc.
- Maintain other preserve infrastructure, including buildings, wells, septic system, etc.
- Supervise docents and CNLM staff (Land Steward at present).
The ideal candidate for this role will have a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree (strongly preferred) in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Range Ecology, Botany, or related field. Relevant experience in land stewardship, including application of good management practices, restoration, and management of rare or fragile species with at least three years of experience desirable. Understanding of desert geography.
The post is a crucial contributor and trusted advisor to the organization for preservation portfolio for all activities, and the individual holding it is depended upon to ensure services are provided efficiently and cost-effectively.
While the role is slightly more moderate with base salary compensation with employment in the non-profit sector, CNLM offers very strong health benefits, vacation and sick time, and other financial benefits (vehicle), etc. The position is structured to be based remotely in a home office (ideally based in the surrounding southern California area) with travel to preserve sites as applicable. It also allows an extensive amount of flexibility with the individual responsibility for personal time management and carrying out efforts.
Most importantly, CNLM has a very empowering corporate culture. With preserves set up to function and be funded in perpetuity, the organization has dedicated and passionate employees (many often having served over 15 years). Additionally, CNLM provides the opportunity to work with a team of talented and committed conservation professionals to achieve a legacy of substantial conservation impact. So, beyond working with incredible colleagues, individuals serving here truly see the impact of their activities and the results of preservation work yields in the lands, flora, and fauna under their care.
For immediate consideration, apply here, or through our corporate website at: or submit to:
Sequence Staffing
2008 Opportunity Drive, Suite 150
Roseville, CA 95678
Phone: 916-782-6900
Email:
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