| The CNPS Vegetation Program is hiring two full-time positions with varying experience levels directly supervised by the Vegetation Program Manager. The position(s) include at least 12 months of work, beginning in December 2024, and are likely to be extended based upon an expectation of future funding. The positions include a full-time, non-exempt Associate Vegetation Ecologist position and a full-time, exempt Vegetation Data Specialist position. If the applicant pool does not include candidates who meet the additional qualifications for the Vegetation Data Specialist role, CNPS may offer two Associate Vegetation Ecologist positions instead. Both positions are responsible for supporting regional vegetation inventory, classification, mapping, and monitoring efforts focused on either southwestern or northern California in addition to other areas, through the coordination of field missions and the promotion of the Manual of California Vegetation and Sensitive Natural Communities Initiative. Areas of focus for field work include a) Santa Barbara to San Diego and b) Mendocino to Lake counties. Areas of focus for office work (data compilation, analysis, and reporting) extend across northern California (including Humboldt to Modoc counties). These are remote positions that require the final applicants live and work in California.
The positions require detail-oriented individuals to coordinate fieldwork and crews in vegetation inventory and mapping efforts, to assist in vegetation fieldwork in key ecological regions, to organize and integrate vegetation data in regional efforts, to analyze/classify and describe vegetation, and to increase training, outreach, and communication on California’s vegetation. The positions will typically work independently and have the opportunity to lead teams of 4+ staff, partners, and/or volunteers, in the office or in the field. Other responsibilities include training staff, students, and/or volunteers on data collection, data entry, vegetation community classification, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tasks using CNPS vegetation methods and related work (e.g., range map production & rarity evaluation of vegetation types, plant identification & specimen collection).
Required travel and time in the field will account for 10 - 25% of annualized responsibilities. Field work is seasonal with the concentration of required travel occurring during Spring, Summer, or Fall. Work travel is paid.
To qualify for the Vegetation Data Specialist position, candidates must have at least 6 years of professional experience in a directly related field (excluding college coursework) and prior experience supervising staff. The Vegetation Data Specialist will oversee 2 or more direct reports, providing mentorship and managing their performance.
What You’ll Do Data Compilation, Classification, & Analysis (50-75%) - Manage, query, analyze and display spatial information using ESRI ArcPro, ArcMap, and other software.
- Photo-interpret imagery for vegetation patterns; and perform enhanced lifeform or fine-scale vegetation mapping.
- Use existing vegetation data and literature to research and describe vegetation and environmental factors, and to develop range maps and evaluate threats.
- Assist with vegetation classification of alliances and associations in southern and northern California.
- Assist in vegetation ranking and webinars on classifying, mapping, and evaluating sensitive vegetation.
- Summarize natural communities in A Manual of California Vegetation and in written reports.
Field Work Coordination & Support (25-50%) - Support ongoing fieldwork of field staff and partners on vegetation classification and mapping efforts.
- Coordinate logistics and track progress on regional sampling and mapping projects in the Southern California Mountains & Valleys Ecoregion or Northern California Coast Ecoregion, or other regions across California.
- Conduct vegetation sampling and training in regional projects across California.
- Recognize patterns and stands of vegetation; identify them using ecological factors and diagnostic keys.
- Identify plants using taxonomic keys, hand lens, and dissecting microscope.
Supervisor/Manager support (5-15%)
*These responsibilities are only applicable to the Vegetation Data Specialist position - Mentor and supervise (2 or more) staff on field and office-based tasks, including conducting annual performance evaluations.
- Execute and coach employees to perform lead responsibilities on tasks, projects, or areas of expertise.
- Communicate and coordinate with staff, partners and stakeholders to build and facilitate consensus on collaborative projects.
- Develop vegetation classification analyses and supervise others on community classification.
- Design, manage, and analyze spatial information using ArcGIS, AGOL, and Survey123.
- Develop GIS and data management workflows to streamline work and supervise others on GIS and data analysis tasks.
- Supports ongoing fine-scale vegetation monitoring, classification, and mapping efforts.
Location - These are both full-time (40-hour week) remote office, at-home positions, for residents of California.
Additional Information - Fieldwork schedules may be rigorous (e.g. 10 hours/day during 4- or 7-day stints, with camping remotely or staying at motels/home rentals overnight).
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Periodic travel to locations throughout California will be required. (Work travel is reimbursed.)
Physical Requirements
This job requires prolonged sitting, use of computer and mouse, and the ability to participate in fieldwork including standing, hiking, driving, carrying gear (up to 1/3 of your body weight), and traveling off-trail in sites with variable grade. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to ensure that all individuals can thrive in these roles. |
