Xerxes Society Hiring Conservation Biologist
The Xerxes Society for Invertebrate Conservation is hiring an Endangered Species Conservation Biologist. Reporting to the Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Program Freshwater Mussel Lead (Portland, OR office) and working in collaboration with partner agencies and organizations, the Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will focus on a variety of projects related to aquatic invertebrates, especially freshwater mussel, research, conservation, and advocacy. The Endangered Species Conservation Biologist will conduct substantial fieldwork involving snorkeling and wading in rivers and streams, requiring frequent but seasonal overnight and remote travel, with the majority of fieldwork from May-September each year. The successful candidate must be able to wade and swim safely in streams, lakes and rivers, walk over uneven terrain, carry 30 pounds using a backpack and be comfortable working long hours in the field as part of a team. Successful candidates will be required to pass an in-water safety training upon hiring. The successful candidate must also be able to work autonomously, organize and deliver training events, write scientific, management, or conservation-related documents, develop communications materials for the public, manage and analyze data, and work collaboratively with Xerces staff and partners. The successful candidate must be comfortable managing multiple projects and responsibilities, be detail-oriented, and have excellent communication skills. The ability to work collaboratively and build lasting conservation partnerships with diverse groups of people will be crucial to the candidate’s success.
Overview
Job Title: Endangered Species Conservation Biologist
Location: Based in Pacific Northwest, preferably NW Oregon or SW Washington
Compensation: $62,857 per year
Status: Full-time, regular position scheduled to work approximately 40 hrs/wk
Job Start Date: Approximate start date April 2025
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species Program staff, the applicant who fills this position will:
During the field season (approximately May – September):
- Spend Monday through Thursday of most weeks conducting fieldwork (i.e., routine multi-day and routine overnight travel);
- Routinely snorkel, wade, or boat in rivers and streams of variable sizes to collect data using digital tools or paper data forms. Fieldwork will also include supporting other conservation efforts such as monitoring water quality, conducting freshwater mussel salvages, or conducting survival studies;
- Deliver trainings to other professionals at oftentimes remote field locations;
- Conduct outreach to the general public;
- Manage work under multiple field-based projects simultaneously, maintaining a high degree of professionalism with Xerces staff and partners, including working with seasonal staff.
Throughout the year:
- Maintain regular communication with a remotely based supervisor, including collaborating via digital tools such as Google Drive and virtual meeting platforms;
- Coordinate and deliver presentations and respond to requests for information from Xerces Society team members, natural resource agencies, researchers, and the public;
- Manage databases and datasets, and analyze, map and report on data collected and work conducted during the field season and through other desktop projects;
- Complete writing projects including project reports, scientific papers, blogs, and social media materials;
- Contribute to strategic conservation planning efforts with Xerces staff and partner organizations, including attending meetings, conducting literature reviews, reviewing documents and providing comments, and developing projects and plans;
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail;
- Engage in other endangered species research, education, outreach, restoration, and conservation projects and campaigns.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Required
- Experience conducting aquatic fieldwork in remote locations and an ability to work in inclement conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and around biting or stinging insects or other environmental hazards
- Ability to follow policies that promote a safe working environment, including making informed, collaborative judgement calls in changing environments
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently
- Project management expertise
- Proficiency with common software applications and ESRI’s ArcGIS application
Preferred
- Experience with and knowledge of freshwater mussels and/or other aquatic invertebrates (training will also be provided to the successful candidate)
- Experience snorkeling and open water swimming
- Database management skills
- Understanding of regional aquatic conservation issues
Qualifications
Required
- A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, ecology, wildlife biology, biology, natural resource management, entomology, or related field (graduate degree preferred) with at least 1 year of professional experience in biological research or conservation.
- Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance. Offer of employment is contingent on this record check.
- Current U.S. work authorization.
Preferred
- Master’s degree in a field listed above
- At least two years of professional experience in biological research or conservation
- Wilderness first aid or swift-water rescue certifications