Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator #20121343Staff
Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
20121343Staff
Working Title
Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator
Pay Rate
Employment Category
Administrative/Professional
Regular/Temporary
Regular
If temporary, list duration
Type of Appointment
Fiscal
Contract Period
12 month
Position Summary Information
Position Summary
Austin Peay State University's Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for the Central Appalachian Grasslands Coordinator position. This is a full-time, nontenure-track position within the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, a part of the Center of Excellence for Field Biology.
The successful candidate's primary role will be to serve the needs of SGI in developing and managing grassland conservation projects in the Central Appalachian region. In addition to on-the-ground work in grasslands, and coordination of broader efforts, this position includes a strong component of grant-writing to help secure future funding to support this position and to grow additional programming/staffing needs in the Central Appalachians. The position will be based in Roanoke, Virginia.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversee projects in northeast Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, eastern Kentucky, northwestern North Carolina, West Virginia, and the Washington D.C. area.
- Design and implement restoration, management, and research projects related to grasslands and grassland-related (open woodlands/open wetlands) communities
- Coordinate and assist in field work related to grassland research, management, restoration, and re-creation, including working with various individuals, organizations, and agencies; must be able to work collaboratively and with a positive attitude with SGI team members and people outside SGI
- Seek additional funding opportunities and draft grant proposals
- Establish and maintain regular communication with private, state, national and international conservation organizations
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong commitment to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are considered throughout all aspects of our program
- A successful track record in setting priorities, taking initiative, and multi-tasking
- Evidence of good character, mature attitude, and professional integrity.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences from laymen to professionals
- Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am to avoid heat-related issues, or occasionally working late hours on time-sensitive needs such as project management or grant proposals
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to hike at least 10 miles in rugged terrain and a variety of landscapes including wetlands, grasslands, forests, and hilly or mountainous terrain
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds
- Willingness to camp in remote, undeveloped sites for multiple days, if necessary
- Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, independently in remote places, or as part of a team
- Ability to sit or stand for long periods for desk-work, including typing and using a laptop or desktop computer and mobile app technologies
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 3 years of work experience in coordination and implementation and design of conservation programs or projects.
- M.S. in Botany, Ecology, Plant Biology, Conservation Biology, Restoration Ecology or related field is preferred.
- Must have excellent skills with plant identification at the species, genus, and family levels, preferably of eastern North America grassland, wetland, woodland species
- Proficient in natural history, ecology, and vegetation, preferably of eastern North America
- Must have excellent communication skills, both in writing and in oral communication and good presentation abilities
- Experience with writing and submitting reports, grant proposals, and/or publications on-time preferred
- Experience using hand-held GPS equipment and/or mobile apps for data collection and navigation
- Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass
- Must have a valid driver's license and be able to drive a wide variety of vehicles, including 4WD trucks and ATVs
- Prior experience with prescribed fire training or certification, seed mix design, providing technical assistance to private, corporate, or agency stakeholders, and experience with drafting management plans all strongly preferred.
- A background check will be required of the successful candidate.
Posting Detail Information
Open Date
03/29/2023
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes