Conservation Analyst

East Bay Chapter, California Native Plant Society Walnut Creek, CA Closing Date: February 15, 2011
The East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is seeking a motivated individual to serve as part-time staff (20 hours per week) for the East Bay Chapter's Conservation Program. The Conservation Analyst position requires a highly organized self-starter to act as a representative for the East Bay Chapter's Conservation Program. The Conservation Analyst works closely with East Bay CNPS volunteers and board members to respond to development projects through the CEQA process, represent CNPS on various boards and committees, and educate the public and stakeholders about plant conservation in California. The Conservation Analyst reports directly to the Conservation Committee Chair.
Background
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit conservation organization, founded in 1965, with approximately 10,000 members in 33 chapters, and 12 full and part-time staff. The mission of CNPS is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through scientific study, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship. Please find more information on CNPS at www.cnps.org. The East Bay Chapter of CNPS (EBCNPS) is the oldest and largest chapter of the CNPS statewide organization. More information about our chapter can be found at www.ebcnps.org. Information regarding recent conservation issues can be located at www.ebcnps.wordpress.com.
The Position
The Conservation Analyst position is a part time (20 hours/week) position. Our shared office space is located at 1601 N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek, CA. Travel throughout the East Bay is required for meetings, tours, and site visits. Meetings can occur at anytime of day from early morning until late evening. Access to a car is highly recommended since certain work locations are difficult to access by public transit. Travel costs will be reimbursed. The salary for this position is $20,000 a year. Benefits include medical, dental, retirement and paid vacation.
Experience, Education, & Skills Minimum Qualifications
• BA/BS degree in conservation biology, natural resource management, botany, biology, or related field with coursework in botany
• Strong commitment and dedication to plant conservation • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Ability to speak publicly and provide testimony in a variety of forums • Proficient computer skills particularly Word, Power Point, PDF-programs, and web-based email • Ability to work with a wide variety of people, including CNPS volunteers, agency personnel,
academics, professional and amateur botanists and other stakeholders
• High degree of initiative and ability to work independently as well as part of the CNPS team Preferred Qualifications
• Knowledge of plant conservation laws and regulations, both California and Federal including CEQA, NEPA, CESA and ESA
• Knowledge of different land protection strategies including conservation easements, habitat conservation plans and conservation/mitigation banks
• Working knowledge of native plant communities—familiarity with East Bay flora desirable but experience elsewhere may be substituted
• Previous relationships and experience with other local environmental groups
Main Duties and Responsibilities
• With the Conservation Chair, set priorities for action on specific projects, utilizing our Guide to the Botanical Priority Protection Areas of the East Bay publication as a blueprint (see a description at www.ebcnps.org/rareplants.html).
• Serve as the lead EBCNPS representative on conservation and land management issues at public meetings and on various committees that EBCNPS sits on.
• Analyze local plant conservation and land management issues, and formulate, recommend, and facilitate appropriate science-based actions on behalf of EBCNPS.
• Seek input and write germane, legally relevant comments on NEPA and CEQA documents/projects that may impact plant resources in the East Bay. Integrate relevant information from other EBCNPS committee chairs including: Rare Plants, Locally-Rare Plants, Vegetation, and others to bolster our response letters with current information and professional opinion.
• Coordinate project responses, strategy, and meetings with local stakeholders (such as community members, agency officials, and elected officials), as well as local environmental groups.
• Respond to conservation needs of various other environmental organizations and chapter members by providing support, strategic consulting, technical or legal information, and referrals, or by taking action on specific issues.
• Interact with media through in-person interviews and phone calls, and write press releases for EBCNPS on impacts of certain projects and policies.
• Attend public meetings on behalf of EBCNPS and record meeting notes, raise questions, and deliver spoken comments for the organization.
• Report on job activities through a conservation list-serve, wordpress blog, and/or regular conservation reports to the board of directors.
Application Requirements
Please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the above advertised position, a resume, and a short (one-two page) sample of technical writing that you have completed in the past three years. (Technical writing sample may be an excerpt from a larger document). All documents should be submitted to lbake66@aol.com as a PDF document that is readable by both Mac and PC computers. Application packet must be submitted by February 15, 2011 at 5 pm. We will contact select applicants for an in-person interview within the following 2-3 weeks.