Sierra Streams Institute is seeking a qualified Restoration Ecologist to join our team on a full-time basis. This exciting role involves managing, developing and implementing restoration projects in forest, wetland, riparian and stream habitats. The successful candidate will be independent, proactive, detail-oriented and creative, with strong scientific and problem-solving skills, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and a willingness to keep current with scientific research. Proven experience in coordinating and collaborating with people in other disciplines is required for this role.
BACKGROUND:
Sierra Streams Institute is a watershed monitoring, research, restoration and educational group based in Nevada City, California in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Our mission is to promote community stewardship and scientific knowledge of watersheds through monitoring, research, restoration and education. Sierra Streams has grown to become a vitally important voice in the regional scientific community. We have accumulated 20 years of water quality, biological and chemical data from local streams and rivers and have used that data to promote changes in policy and practices in our local and regional area. We work with local, state and federal agencies as well as tribes, land trusts, universities and non-profits to find solutions to the problems that afflict watersheds throughout the region that share the challenges resulting from a century of gold mining, development and agriculture. Sierra Streams has developed a reputation over the course of its 23 year history for the rigor of its science, its ability to foster community stewardship of creeks, and its many collaborative efforts with a wide range of groups, schools and agencies.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Restoration Ecologist develops, implements and oversees restoration projects, and insures projects achieve outcomes within appropriate budget and resources.
The Restoration Ecologist at Sierra Streams Institute has a critical role in the community. Projects will include environmental mitigation, woodland, riparian, wetland restoration, stream stabilization and native landscaping. The Restoration Ecologist will be responsible for developing restoration and management plans, managing assessments needed for permitting and creating and implementing watershed restoration projects. This also involves developing partnerships for the projects including with Federal, State, local agencies, tribes, universities, nonprofits and landowners.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Invasive species control
- Native planting
- Riparian stabilization
- Re-vegetation of abandoned mine lands
- Creation and implementation of forest fire reduction balanced with forest health strategies
- Development of re-vegetation plant palettes
- Development of GIS maps of project areas
- Collaboration with the local indigenous tribe to select culturally significant plants for restoration
- Implementation of ecological monitoring assessments at restoration sites
- Hiring and management of contractors for assessments
- Research and development of new techniques/protocols
- Writing of research articles in scientific journals and presentations of work at conferences
- Development of contracts and oversight of consultants and vegetation management crews.
- Analyze data from assessments to inform restoration
- Write regulatory permitting applications and regulatory documentation
- Organize and track project expenditures, budgets, and activities
- Document project milestones and complete grant reporting requirements
- Recruitment of volunteers and organization of volunteer restoration workdays
- Develop projects for grants and write sections of grant proposals
- Partner with education department in the development of citizen science projects
- Teach community members about restoration projects and watershed health.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree required in biology, botany, environmental science or related field.
- 2-5 years of experience working as a restoration ecologist or botanist preferred.
- Conscientious, positive, self-motivated and excellent organizational skills.
- Able to complete projects on time and a drive to do what it takes to get the job done well.
- Ability to work cooperatively with staff, volunteers and partners.
- Computer skills required, including proficiency with Word, Excel and GIS.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Able to do occasional evening and weekend work.
COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience. Health benefits.
APPLICATION INFORMATION: Position is open until filled.
Please submit cover letter and resume electronically to Joanne Hild, Executive Director. joanne@sierrastreams.org. Please have Restoration Ecologist position in subject line.