Restoration Biologist Position
This position is closed.
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Final filing date for this position is Friday, October 7, 2022. The Cache Creek Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Restoration Biologist.
This position reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for continued operation and refinement of our avian and wildlife monitoring program (including nest box monitoring), internship program, interpretive tours, and grant research and writing. Please see the duty statement at the end of this announcement for details regarding the duties and requirements of this position.
The successful candidate will have knowledge and ability to identify and document life stages of avian and wildlife species, how to conduct environmental education and lead interns in collecting nest box data, and the ability to communicate well both in writing and in oral presentations.
Background: The Cache Creek Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit in Woodland, CA, whose mission is to restore, protect, and enhance wildlife habitat in the Cache Creek watershed. The Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. The work environment includes outdoor and indoor locations and some traveling to locations other than the Cache Creek Nature Preserve.
Minimum requirements or experience: Any combination of experience and education which provides the required knowledge and skills is acceptable but preferably a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Biology, Botany, Restoration, or similar scientific discipline.
Term of Employment: This position is full time, between 30 to 40 hours per week.
Compensation: Beginning rate is $23.55 per hour, negotiable dependent upon experience and education.
How to Apply: Send a cover letter, resume, and two professional or academic references to pratt[at]cachecreekconservancy.org.
Restoration Biologist Duty Statement
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Perform various wildlife monitoring projects throughout the year associated with the restoration work happening in the lower Cache Creek Watershed. These monitoring projects include:
- Monitoring bird nest boxes of various types (wood ducks, owls, and songbirds, etc.) on a weekly basis at Cache Creek Nature Preserve and Capay Open Space Park during the breeding season (March – July).
- Write an annual report on the success and results of the nestboxes for the Cache Creek Conservancy Executive Staff and Board.
- Perform avian point count surveys at Cache Creek Nature Preserve during the breeding season (April – June).
- Write an annual report on the findings to be given to the Cache Creek Conservancy Executive Staff and Board, and Yolo County.
- Assist the Habitat Restoration Specialist(s) with surveying western pond turtles and breeding bird nest surveys in Cache Creek prior to invasive-weed spraying and prescribed burns during the spring, summer, and fall months.
- Write an annual report on the findings to be given to the Cache Creek Conservancy Executive Staff and Board, and Yolo County.
- Perform an annual habitat assessment survey at Granite-Woodland Reiff on Swainson’s hawk impact to be reported to the Yolo Habitat Conservancy and Yolo County.
- Monitoring bird nest boxes of various types (wood ducks, owls, and songbirds, etc.) on a weekly basis at Cache Creek Nature Preserve and Capay Open Space Park during the breeding season (March – July).
- Work with the Habitat Restoration Specialist(s) on conducting and refining other wildlife monitoring programs (e.g. wildlife game camera, fish surveying in Cache Creek, and small mammal trapping).
- Serve as primarily contact for inputting data in county-wide collections, such as those operated by UC Davis or California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Be a coordinator and mentor for habitat restoration interns by training them on a variety of restoration and monitoring practices that include:
- How and when to monitor bird nest boxes.
- Performing avian point count surveys in the lower Cache Creek Watershed.
- Training interns how to correctly identify local flora and fauna.
- Locating and continuously monitoring raptor nests (such as red-tailed and Swainson’s hawks) during the winter and spring months using ArcMap Collector).
- Assist the Executive Director and other restoration staff with finding and applying for new grants to fund further restoration work and research at Cache Creek Conservancy.
- Continue to support and build further connections with UC Davis, Yolo Audubon Society, Putah Creek Council, Yolo Habitat Conservancy and Yolo County on joint environmental restoration work and research.
Other Duties:
- Lead weekend evening bird walks at the Cache Creek Nature Preserve on a monthly basis as education and outreach to the public.
- Help with nature-based activities or tours like Night Walks, Bugs in the Creek, or interpretative tours for local youth or life enrichment groups.
- Lead 1-2 field trips per year at the Cache Creek Nature Preserve for Yolo Audubon Society.
- Develop birding and other content to post on social media.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Identifying and documenting life stages of avian and wildlife species, with an emphasis on avian species
- Environmental education principles including familiarity with Cache Creek Conservancy Education and Restoration Programs
- Scientific methodology and record keeping
- Curriculum development for nature-based education programs
Ability to:
- Give effective and succinct presentations to the public and Conservancy staff
- Write well and effectively use social media
- Use Microsoft Office Suite products
- Use Canva and other programs to produce graphics for the Conservancy
- Use ArcGIS and ArcMap Collector to plot biological data
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements or Experience:
Any combination of experience and education which provides the required knowledge and skills is acceptable but preferably:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, Wildlife Management, Biology, Botany, Restoration, or similar scientific discipline.
- Prior work experience (paid or volunteer) that required regular attendance, accurate timekeeping, and intradepartmental communications.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to be outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
- Willingness to work with others under varying conditions
License:
Required to possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties and show proof of insurance. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation.