Job Description

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive.

The Restoration Ecologist monitors ecological conditions and provides project coordination for stream and wetland mitigation projects completed through the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (Trust Fund). The Trust Fund is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy in Virginia (TNC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that provides a form of compensatory mitigation through preservation, restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands, streams, buffers, and other aquatic resources in Virginia.

The Restoration Ecologist’s responsibilities include ecological monitoring of stream, wetland, and buffer mitigation projects; assisting with the development of corrective action plans; conducting contractor oversight during corrective action activities, such as planting efforts and invasive species control. The Restoration Ecologist is also responsible for evaluating adherence to project success criteria; collecting and analyzing field data; acquisition and maintenance of field equipment; the timely development of compliance reporting; and assisting with tasks needed to manage existing projects.
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

You can expect the following roles and responsibilities when you join our team:
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Develops comprehensive stream and wetland monitoring plans for project sites. Plans may include monitoring protocols for vegetation, stream geomorphology, stream habitat assessment, and wetland hydrology, budgeting and project costs, monitoring timelines, and long-term management of sites.
• Conducts ecological monitoring of stream and wetland mitigation sites to determine compliance with monitoring plans and other goals. Completes monitoring data entry and analysis and develops monitoring reports to submit to regulatory agencies. Leads site visits with regulatory agencies to review monitoring results and discuss any corrective action needs.
• Assists with development of corrective action plans to ensure project success criteria are met.
• Coordinates the work of, and works in partnership with, other individuals and organizations, including TNC staff, contractors, consultants, regulatory and environmental agencies, conservation groups, landowners, volunteers and others in carrying out duties of position. May oversee completion of work conducted by contractors or others.
• Conducts stewardship or maintenance activities which may include tasks such as equipment removal, fence or access maintenance, and invasive species removal.
• Provides support to the Stewardship Manager and other TNC staff to manage existing projects. Tasks may include review of restoration plans and reports, development of scopes of work and contracts, preparation of requests for submittal to regulatory agencies, documentation and reporting of existing site conditions and invasive species inventory, and field and office assessments to develop long term and adaptive management plans.
• Will need to gain cooperation from individuals and groups over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish goals.
• Financial responsibility includes developing project budgets and tracking expenses.
• Will recruit and supervise volunteers and seasonal staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
• Ensures compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Work will require physical exertion and/or strain to the point of fatigue. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. is required.
• Frequent daily or overnight travel around the state, sometimes with short notice. Adverse working conditions in remote locations, long hours and possible weekend work on occasion.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with stream and/or wetland science.
• Experience identifying plant species.
• Experience performing physically exerting work in a variety of field and weather-related conditions.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., contractors, landowners, government officials, internal scientists.
• Experience completing complex tasks independently under pressure under stringent time constraints. Demonstrated experience in accomplishing tasks in an orderly, organized manner and keeping organized files and records.
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience identifying a large array of Virginia flora to species level, both woody and herbaceous. Knowledge of Virginia invasive species and management techniques preferred.
• Training and experience in stream science and assessment, including geomorphic survey, benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring, and habitat assessment.
• Training and experience in wetland science, including identification of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrology.
• Experience using GIS, including conducting desktop site assessments and making maps, and field data collection using GPS.
• Experience with Federal, State, and local regulations, permits, and policies for stream and wetland mitigation.
• Training and experience in stream and wetland monitoring techniques and protocols. Proficiency in developing and implementing monitoring protocols to evaluate site restoration performance.
• Proficiency in analyzing, interpreting and synthesizing a variety of information including monitoring data, aerial photography, soil surveys, topographic maps, and site plans.
• Experience in coordinating and overseeing multiple projects, including ability to create and follow timelines and deliver products and results in a timely fashion.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.

Tagged as: Conservation

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