island ho

[EWerb at aol.com]

POSITION DESCRIPTION 
Santa Catalina Island Conservancy 

Vegetation Specialist


http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/
POSITION BEGINS: approximately November 15, 1999 (or when filled) 
REPORTS TO: Director of Ecological Restoration 


SUMMARY: Directs the Conservancy's vegetation monitoring and rare plant 
survey efforts and assesses the effectiveness of Conservancy's conservation 
efforts in protecting native species and reducing the impacts of non-native 
species. Responsibilities involve a wide range of field and office 
activities, including the design and implementation of field programs as well 
as the analysis and recommendations that follow collection of field data. 
Will work both in a team setting supervising volunteers and working with 
other staff as well as independently conducting work projects. 


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 


1.  Develop and implement an island wide vegetation monitoring program to 
document current status of plant communities and to provide a means to detect 
changes in selected community types. Program should be integrated with other 
established monitoring efforts (e.g. birds, mammals) where ever possible.

2. Develop and implement monitoring protocols to assess effectiveness of 
Conservancy protection and restoration efforts, such as weed control and 
non-native animal control. 


1.  Develop and implement monitoring protocols to assess results and effects 
of natural and human processes and events, such as recreation (e.g. camping), 
fire, or floods. 


2.  Conduct rare plant surveys. Design and implement rare plant protection 
strategies as appropriate.


3.  Develop and implement species specific monitoring programs to establish 
current status of selected plant populations and to provide a means to detect 
changes in these populations.


4.  Incorporate results into the Conservancy's geographic information system 
(GIS), whenever possible.


5.  Analyze, summarize, and interpret data gathered in the different 
monitoring programs on a regular basis and provide timely feedback and 
recommendations to appropriate Conservancy staff.


6.  Provide assistance to visiting researchers and other Conservancy staff as 
appropriate.


7.  Work with volunteers to efficiently and effectively gather field data.



QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each 
essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are 
representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. An ideal 
candidate will possess a substantial combination of all these requirements. 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities 
to perform the essential functions. 


EDUCATION: M.A. or M.S. in botany, biology, natural history, or equivalent 
from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and 
professional experience in natural resource monitoring. 
EXPERIENCE: Two to three years field experience in designing and implementing 
natural community and species specific monitoring programs along with 
analysis of collected data using quantitative analytical skills is required. 
Excellent written and oral communication skills are needed. Supervisory 
experience in managing professional and non-professional employees, 
volunteers and others with varying skills, especially in a non-profit 
environment is a plus. Able to function flexibly and effectively in a complex 
organizational environment with a range of different departments and 
operations. Ability to work both independently or as a part of a team is 
essential. 
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Must be familiar with the following: statistical analysis, 
experimental design, Windows computer software (word processing, database, 
spreadsheet, SAS, Systat or equivalent, project management, ArcView/ArcInfo), 
and GPS/GIS technology. Employee must hold a valid California driver's 
license and be able to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles over rough terrain and 
unimproved roads. Familiarization with the following is desirable: California 
plant species and communities (particularly the Channel Islands); 
conservation biology, ecological restoration, photography. CPR and first aid 
certification desirable. 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of 
those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential 
functions of this job. Position involves functioning both in field and office 
environments. Field work involves limited manual labor; hiking over rugged 
terrain; and routine handling of plants. The employee must occasionally lift 
and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job 
include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and 
the ability to adjust focus. 
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are 
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential 
functions of this job. The office environment has moderate noise levels and 
is a non-smoking environment. Field conditions are strongly weather-dependent 
and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy and/or wet depending on season and the 
degree of exposure. Smoking is allowed only at limited designated field 
sites. Work may be conducted independently or with groups of staff and 
volunteers. Hiking conditions include steep, rugged terrain with occasionally 
unstable rocky substrate and cactus. Wild animals may also be encountered in 
the field and pose some threat. Must be willing to live and work on Catalina. 


SALARY LEVEL: Commensurate with qualifications and experience, the preferred 
hiring salary range is $34,000 - $37,000. Competitive (non-profit) benefits 
package may include group medical and hospital insurance, group life 
insurance, sick leave, worker's compensation insurance, unemployment 
compensation, state disability insurance, normal and customary mileage and 
travel allowance, housing allowance, and/or relocation expenses in accordance 
with Conservancy moving policy. Normal 40-hour work week with some limited 
unpaid overtime. Limited travel required off-island. 


TO APPLY: Submit cover letter of intent to apply (limit 1 page); resume or cur
riculum vita (limit 3 pages); publications list; and a statement of 
conservation philosophy and interests (limit 1 page) no later than October 
15th, 1999. The most highly-qualified candidates will interview on Santa 
Catalina Island, and may be required to submit a proposed work plan. Further 
details can be provided by contacting: 

Peter Schuyler (310) 510-1299 voice
Director of Ecological Restoration (310) 510-1729 fax
Santa Catalina Island Conservancy peterschuyler at aya.yale.edu (e-mail)
P. O. Box 2739
Avalon, CA 90704-2739