Jobs for People with MS: National MS Society

Pollinator Conservation Specialist

Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource, Conservation and Development in Ames, Iowa is looking for a motivated, independent, personable, and creative individual to fill the Pollinator Conservation Specialist position in the Watersheds and Wildlife Program to improve Iowa's ecosystem.

Position Description The Pollinator Conservation Specialist (PCS) works to improve pollinator and wildlife habitat in Iowa in a collaborative environment. By creating and maintaining meaningful connections with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, farmers, landowners, businesses, and community members in Central Iowa, the work of the PCS will benefit Iowa's pollinator species such as the Monarch Butterfly and the endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee through educating diverse audiences about pollinator ecology and conservation practices.

Serving as a team member of the Watersheds and Wildlife Program, the PCS will:

• Provide one-on-one technical support and advice on pollinator and wildlife habitat restoration to farmers, landowners, rural and urban residents, watershed management authorities, and governmental agencies
• Conduct public outreach through attending events, creating and leading field days, and participating in webinars, conferences, etc. to provide information to the public about pollinator ecology and conservation.
• Provide ecological guidance and assistance to city and county employees on pollinator habitat projects
• Collaborate with the Byway Program Coordinator to develop a pollinator and wildlife habitat conservation plan along Byways
• Write, implement, and report on relevant grants to support pollinator conservation efforts
• Manage volunteers and interns as needed. Other duties as identified.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of native ecosystems and the pollinator and plant species within them
• Knowledge of prairie restoration principles and practices
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with diverse people and organizations
• Master's degree in environmental sciences, ecology, natural resource management, entomology, or related field
• OR Bachelor's degree (in the above fields) plus several years of experience
• Ability to coordinate and manage complex, multi-organizational projects
• Be a self-starter and creative problem-solver, establish priorities, and meet deadlines
• Excellent writing and public relations skills; capable of giving engaging oral and visual presentations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS
• Valid driver's license and personal transportation

Preferred Experience

• Experience conducting wildlife/insect/plant surveys is preferred
• Experience with Farm Bill conservation programs is preferred
• Experience in grant writing is a plus
• Previous leadership experience managing students or leading groups of adults is helpful but not required.

Organization Prairie Rivers of Iowa (PRI) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit founded in 1999 as a Resource Conservation and Development organization. Headquartered in Ames, Iowa, PRI operates in multiple counties to promote economic development through the restoration and conservation of Iowa's cultural and natural resources. Our current focus areas are A) increasing native pollinator and wildlife habitat, B) improving Iowa's water quality, and C) managing state and national scenic Byways. We believe the health of Iowa's soil, water, and wildlife is the basis for the personal and economic health of Iowans. From this belief we created the Watersheds and Wildlife Program to improve Iowa's ecosystem.

Equal Employment Opportunity Prairie Rivers of Iowa does not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or political beliefs in carryi g out duties associated with the position