Range Ecologist

Position Summary:

Audubon Texas is a leader and integral member of a community of conservation practice, founded in a 100-year legacy of coastal stewardship while establishing innovative programs to protect, conserve, and enhance habitat for a wide variety of bird species throughout the Lone Star State and beyond. The Range Ecologist will be primarily focused on conservation delivery in North Texas, with some work in other parts of the state and beyond as opportunities and capacity permit.

The Range Ecologist will work closely with local landowners to implement working lands conservation programs, including the Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) Program and a variety of voluntary Rangeland and grassland conservation tools. The Range Ecologist will work in partnership within a community of practice including migratory bird joint ventures, conservation organizations, and agencies to deliver robust private landowner programming. Audubon’s working lands programs in Texas aim to improve private landowners’ ability to practice bird-friendly land management. The Range Ecologist will be responsible for engaging, cultivating, and enrolling landowners into these programs and assisting them with implementation of innovative land management practices.

Through the development of habitat management plans (HMPs), an integral ACR conservation tool, the Range Ecologist will partner with landowners to determine land management goals and ensure program compliance. These HMPs support practices such as adaptive grazing, prescribed fire, grass and rangeland restoration, invasive species removal, and establishing rotational grazing infrastructure. HMPs rely on the designation of priority grassland bird species for each ranch or project site. The Range Ecologist will also conduct vegetation diversity and use monitoring to ensure landowners are compliant with program goals and are enhancing their grasslands to benefit grassland birds.

This position is a remote with work being done in the field, specifically in the North Texas region, with some duties in other parts of the state and New Mexico as opportunities and capacity permit.

Compensation:

$50,000 - $55,000 / year

Essential Functions

• Liaise with landowners providing excellent technical service to agricultural producers participating in Audubon’s working lands conservation programs. Specifically,

  • Facilitate demand for Audubon conservation programs through partnerships with local agencies and organizations.

  • Connect with local conservation professionals and organizations to deliver programs and recruit new program participants.

  • Provide timely access to financial assistance programs for enrolled ranches, through Audubon, local, state, and federal financial assistance opportunities. Refer producers to partner conservation programs when applicable.

  • Establish and maintain professional relationships with ranchers and landowners participating in Audubon’s working lands programs.

  • Communicate program goals and work with rancher/landowner to develop site-specific farm habitat conservation plans for each assigned ranch or project.

  • Execute agreements and plan projects for landowners participating in financial assistance conservation programs.

  • Facilitate enrollment process and assist Audubon project budget tracking.

  • Apply a new, decision-support tool to the Matagorda Bay watershed to help ranchers and partners identify conservation priorities.

• Advocate for science-supported habitat management on partner lands.

• Establish habitat management plans using SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time sensitive) goals on all enrolled program ranches.

• Conduct and/or oversee essential avian and grassland monitoring on program lands.

• Identify monitoring needs regarding avian and vegetation communities; develop and implement monitoring techniques to address land use, avian density and occupancy, and vegetation response to disturbance.

• Support grant writing related to Audubon Conservation work.

• Participate in local events targeted at youth, professionals, or the general community to share expertise.

• Maintain excellent communication with supervisor and administrative staff.

• Participate in partner meetings and conferences.

• Identify and participate in opportunities that allow for continued professional growth and aimed at improving skills related to grassland management and avian conservation.

• Attend training events held by local partners, such as NRCS, USFWS, TPWD, Migratory Bird Joint Ventures, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and others.

• Serve as a resource for local producers and partners.

• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.

• Plan and participate in landowner workshops and other educational events.

• Represent Audubon at events to promote and educate the public on Audubon’s working lands programs, grassland bird conservation, and grassland management practices.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in range management, ecology, natural resources management, wildlife management, or related field, advance degree a plus. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Experience with project development/coordination, conservation planning or similar work.

• Knowledge of local agencies, organizations, and programs to help landowners, managers, and ranchers secure cost-share and incentive program funding to implement improved rangeland management practices.

• Experience coordinating/facilitating field days, workshops, webinars, and/or symposium.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, public presentation, and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing effective goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, contract and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

• Ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals (e.g. conservation partners, private landowners and ranchers, volunteers, and local community members).

• Experience with grassland/vegetation plant identification and management knowledge.

• Experience with bird identification and management knowledge.

• Experience with sampling methods, wildlife surveys, and habitat management.

• Knowledge and appreciation of the ranching culture, range management issues, and sustainable ranching practices.

• Working knowledge of ArcGIS, GPS and other GIS technologies including map making and data management/organization.

• Proficiency with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other key Microsoft Office and web-based products.

• Must be able to work autonomously and within a team.

• Possess a valid driver’s license for safe operation of 4-wheel drive vehicles.

• Ability to traverse long distances on uneven terrain and comfortable driving on unpaved surfaces with or without accommodation.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.

• Must be comfortable and willing to work occasional weekends and evenings with extensive day travel and occasional overnight travel, as necessary.

• Familiarity with grassland bird ranges and their habitat associations.

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish is a plus.

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment. 

Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving. 

Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation. 

Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process. 

Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity. 

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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