Curator of Conservation Outreach

Description:

Job Title: Curator of Conservation Outreach Department: Department of Conservation Exemption: Exempt

• Reports to: Vice President of Conservation

Supervises: Other Conservation Department Staff, Volunteers, Staff from other Departments that help during fieldwork

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

• Evaluates, plans, develops, and oversees implementation of the field conservation outreach and education projects regarding coexisting with desert tortoises and deserts. This includes work with OHV, youth, and military, and community groups and related studies and projects that are consistent with TLD priorities along these lines.

Writes reports that summarize the success of the research and outreach projects in which the position has been involved that can be used in publications, grants, and reports, as are consistent with TLD priorities. Locates and develops funding and partnerships in support of TLD field conservation strategies involving education that furthers behavior change and sustainability in deserts, primarily for desert tortoise work with a focus on Southern California populations and related projects elsewhere, as are consistent with TLD priorities.

Act as a supplemental to staff direct report and manager for all the other conservation staff members working with outreach, education, and behavior change projects in the field, including time management, evaluation, and helping with the skills development of conservation staff.

• Assist with implementing priorities and building team rapport in conservation.
• Lead and assist with grant proposal writing specific to outreach, education, and behavior change projects.
• Assist with grant management for related conservation awards.
• Plans, develops and implements a diversity of outreach based conservation projects, and particularly those focused on benefitting desert tortoise as approved by the leadership at TLD.

Serves as a liaison with a variety of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups, mostly across Southern California with relation to desert tortoise conservation work. Supervises and writes reports that summarize the success of the field research that can be used in grants and reports in support of TLD field conservation strategies in Southern California. Report writing will be guided by TLD’s Vice President of Conservation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, develops, and implements a wide range of projects and initiatives associated with outreach, education, and behavior change projects, mostly focused on work in and across Southern California.

Supervise reporting that summarize the success of the research and outreach projects in which the position has been involved that can be used in publications, grants, and reports, as guided by TLD’s Vice President of Conservation.

• Organizes and carries out project management activities such as researching and preparing project budgets, preparing project timelines, analyzing projects for required elements and key tasks, identifying key individuals and resources needed to complete assigned projects and tasks, developing scopes of work and specifications for projects involving use of outside services and contractors, and organizing and carrying out projects tasks and elements to meet project goals, deadlines, and performance targets.
• Establishes professional relationships with a wide range of individuals, groups, and organizations interested in species recovery and habitat restoration efforts.

Attends working group meetings, conference, workshops, and other meetings associated with outreach activities as appropriate. Prepares and conducts presentations to agency sponsors to report on outreach program activities.

• Researches and identifies appropriate sources of government and non-government funding support that may help to provide funding for additional staff and support staff in the Department of Conservation.
• Assists in crafting grants and other proposals to secure funding to further the approved goals and objectives of the Department of Conservation, and particularly with relationship to work related to outreach, education, and behavior change. Prepares progress reports and project summaries for reporting to grant-giving organizations.
• Manages relevant volunteers and coordinates with conservation staff for relevant conservation projects.

Keeps financial records, correspondence, and other documentation on tortoise outreach program activities. If needed as part of the grant-funded work, will assist with organizing and conducting education work, including teacher meetings, conferences, and workshops as necessary to communicate and distribute education materials about value of habitat restoration to target education audiences.

• Contributes to desert conservation through reduction of waste, water and energy use, and inspiring guests and team members to take conservation actions.

Commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and partners. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

SPECIFIC ZOO FIELD SKILLS:

Skill in coordinating volunteers and collaborators from other Departments at TLD and from among the general public

• Overseeing and conducting field research, education, and outreach programs, all of which may involve either solitary (when safe), collaboration with other professionals, or involvement with volunteers

Ability to coordinate all aspects of an education and outreach program involving the conservation of a listed species at the state or federal levels, in collaboration with a wide range and diversity of stakeholders As needed, ability to plan, implement and evaluate communications strategies, education programs, and interpretive media based on established professional practices

Knowledge of computer, multimedia, and information technology Knowledge of broad range of interpretive skills and techniques applicable to interpretive media development Skill in written communications, including the ability to write grants, plans, and reports in accordance with TLD policy, and generate and answer routine correspondence

Skill in oral communications, including the ability to present material in a training or instructional capacity, speak before large and small audiences, and interact effectively with a diverse collection of individuals and groups General knowledge, enthusiasm, and compliance with the TLD mission, history, and policies

Knowledge of the natural and cultural history of southern California’s desert ecosystems

EDUCATION AND PRE-REQUISITES:

PhD Degree in biological sciences, environmental sciences, or with the equivalent conservation project implementation experience. At least two decades of experience in education and outreach to the public.

Experience working with federal, state, and non-profit conservation organizations and public-school groups:

Valid California driver’s license. Must be insurable on The Living Desert's automobile policy. Must be a motivated self-starter with good leadership and communication skills.

CONDITIONS OF WORK:

GRANT-FUNDING DEPENDENT POSITION: This position is entirely funded using grant money that comes from outside of TLD, mostly secured by the person who will hold this position. If grant money is not longer available, the position will end. We may be able to restart the position if there are breaks in funding, but only after additional money is again secured.

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Requires walking, hiking, bending, climbing, lifting, and driving of vehicles. Requires time working on a computer. DISCOMFORT/RISKS: Work with constantly changing external groups may be physically and intellectually demanding. Occasional exposure to the extreme heat and aridity of the desert environment will occur.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: Holiday, weekend and evening work may be required. TRAVEL: Regular travel in the deserts of California in carrying out job responsibilities. Occasional travel to attend workshops, conferences, symposiums and meetings domestically will be necessary. As needed or are relevant there may be international travel in support of conservation projects.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Standard biological fieldwork equipment, PC and/or Apple computer, general office equipment, telephone, radio, electric and gas cart, manual and automatic transmission vehicles, digital camera, audio-visual equipment, camping equipment, among others. This class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification, including projects in locations other than Southern California.