Applied Conservation Ecologist

As the Applied Conservation Ecologist, you’ll work with the Conservation Director and rest of the Ecology Team to implement, communicate, and design restoration ecology projects at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Your duties will include continuing current restoration, research, and community engagement projects at the Garden, as well as envisioning and seeking funding for new projects that complement the program. Current projects include working with Santa Barbara County communities to transform public and private spaces to native habitat, restoration trials for ecosystem services in a fire scar, prioritized watershed-level weed control, and forbland restoration for rare plant-pollinator networks. Fundraising and outreach activities are required to support the continuation of this position. This exempt position is full time and reports to the Director of Conservation and Research. This position is being offered at the principal investigator (PI) level and requires a PhD in ecology, conservation, botany, or a related field. We are looking for well-rounded candidates who can combine research with field work and community building, to restore complex food webs and ecosystem servicess and grow support for this work. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and relevant qualifications, and a writing sample (e.g., a peer reviewed publication, report or other product).

What You’ll Do:

Office Duties

• Manage large complex projects including collaborators and subcontractors
• Implement and design research studies to enhance restoration efficacy and efficiency, often in concert with our Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologists
• Supervise a small but mighty restoration ecology team
• Analyze and interpret data using appropriate statistical analyses and write reports
• Fundraise for this program via grant and contract proposals, donor relations, and alternative funding sources
• Communicate and collaborate with other members of the Conservation & Research Team when appropriate (basic biodiversity inventory, rare plant conservation, community ecology, outreach, and advocacy), to achieve departmental and organizational goals
• Publish papers in peer-reviewed journals

Fieldwork Duties

• Implement restoration and research projects, including weed control, planting, mapping, and monitoring. This can include extended periods away from Santa Barbara
• Collect spatial data using Field Maps for ArcGIS

Education and Outreach Duties

• Work with the Garden’s Communications Department to develop outreach materials, including newsletter articles, web updates, videos, press releases, and social media
• Represent the Garden’s conservation program in regional and state meetings, and build a strong relationship with conservation partners
• Share your passion for conservation with the public via lectures, workshops, nature walks, field trips, and other outreach events
• Present oral and poster presentations at scientific meetings
• Manage, interact with, and recognize volunteers
• Participate in Garden tours as needed
• Mentor, manage, and help recruit interns

You Must Be Able To:

• Support the Garden’s conservation mission and goals
• Manage projects to timely completion on budget
• Design and implement original research and recovery projects
• Fundraise via grants, contracts, and donor pitches
• Supervise and mentor at least two restoration technicians
• Conduct field work in a remote setting with rugged terrain under a variety of environmental conditions
• Give public presentations and perform other outreach to promote projects and engage the public
• Use a computer proficiently, with a working knowledge of Microsoft applications (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and R/Rstudio, and learn new computer programs as necessary
• Analyze data using modern statistical and modeling techniques
• Quickly learn the California flora (if not already familiar) and use dichotomous keys and other resources to identify unfamiliar taxa
• Multitask, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
• Communicate well both verbally and in writing
• Work occasional weekend hours and travel for fieldwork, meetings, and symposia
• Work autonomously with a high degree of accountability and also cooperatively with colleagues at the Garden and other institutions
• Contribute to a positive work environment that fosters learning and team-building
• Perform periodic strenuous physical work including:
  • Occasionally working long field days, sometimes in excess of 8-10 hours, including bending, squatting, walking stairs, and hiking rugged trails with uneven footing
  • Sitting for up to 2 hours at a time and using a computer for lengthy periods;
  • Standing/walking for extended periods of time
  • Bending, squatting, digging, and hiking rugged trails
  • Working outdoors in variable weather conditions
  • Safely lifting and carrying 40 lbs.

You Will Definitely Need:

• A PhD from an accredited university in the field of plant ecology, conservation, botany, or a related field
• A supportive and approachable disposition conducive to community building, supervising and mentoring
• A passion for biodiversity conservation
• Restoration ecology experience
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Reliable transportation to/from the Garden
• A valid US driver’s license

It Would Be Nice If You Had:

• Experience using ArcGIS to create maps and analyze data
• 4-wheel drive experience and training
• Experience with the California flora or plants of the US Intermountain West
• Qualified Applicator’s License for California pesticide application

More About Us:

The Garden is a beautiful place to work and your work will make a direct impact on biodiversity conservation in California. While our conservation work takes place throughout the state, our habitat restoration projects are focused on the central coast, primarily within Santa Barbara County. We offer a supportive work environment, including professional development opportunities, human resources services, and collaborative opportunities. In addition to beautiful views, bugs, birds, and fantastic flora, outdoor work environments also include exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations, rain, dust, allergens, poison oak, insects, small wild animals, and sun exposure.

Disclaimer:

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, and if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden retains the right to adjust priorities or assign other duties to this position.

Expected Timeline:

An ideal candidate for this position will be available to begin work on March 1, 2024.