Title: Species Survival Officer: Invertebrates

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Conservation

Position Summary

Working closely with the IUCN network, in particular the IUCN Red List Unit, The New Mexico BioPark Society staff, Albuquerque BioPark staff, and the global aquarium and zoo community, the successful applicant will play a key role in invertebrate conservation initiatives within the southwestern United States and wild bee, butterfly and moth, and firefly conservation efforts globally. This position will focus on assessing the extinction risk faced by priority invertebrate species across varied taxa for inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In doing so, the position will help to dramatically expand the understanding of conservation status of pollinator species globally; laying the much needed foundation for prioritized conservation planning and action across the IUCN and wider conservation community. In addition, the successful applicant will be responsible for managing and expanding the ABQ BioPark's regional invertebrate conservation portfolio, including running the New Mexico Butterfly Monitoring Network, managing firefly survey programs, and overseeing the ABQ BioPark's involvement in the recovery efforts for Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly and other endangered species.

Key Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field
• Two years of relevant experience in a biological sciences or conservation field
• A high level of proficiency in scientific writing in English and proficiency communicating with a variety of audiences (academic, public, membership, nongovernmental stakeholders)
• Experience with mapping tools/software (e.g., GIS) and data management (e.g., Excel, Access)
• Must be legally eligible for employment within the United States

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate level degree in biological sciences/conservation or related fields
• A commitment to the role of zoos, aquaria, and botanic gardens in conservation
• Strong natural history field skills and familiarity with insects and other invertebrates of the southwestern United States and globally
• Demonstrable experience in managing entomological field collections and conducting surveys
• Understanding of species conservation and emerging threats in the southwestern United States
• Understanding of key theoretical underpinnings of species conservation globally (e.g., evolutionary ecology, physiology, invasion ecology, landscape ecology, land use change)
• Advanced knowledge of mapping tools/software (e.g., QGIS, R, Python)
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of partners and disciplines, oftentimes across significant cultural and language barriers
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific topics across a range of different audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across a variety of projects, develop and maintain relationships with staff and partners
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to manage multiple projects, meet frequent and/or demanding deadlines and be self-disciplined about work prioritization and time management
• Ability to work both as an independent contributor and as part of a collaborative team
• An eagerness to expand personal knowledge-base and adapt to new challenges

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Complete ‘Introduction to the IUCN Red List’ online course, having passed the final course examination with a score of 80% or higher within one month of hire
• Serve as reviewer for Red List assessments prior to publication
• Work with the Red List Unit to deliver Red List training as needed
• With the SSC Chair’s Office, assist in onboarding and training of staff at new Centers for Species Survival around the globe
• Cultivate partnerships, conservation plans, and direct conservation action with regional natural resource management agencies and international conservation stakeholders
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., BUGarium curatorial staff, Horticulturalists, Aquatic Conservation Facility staff) to advance invertebrate conservation at ABQ BioPark through ex situ and in situ action
• In cooperation with New Mexico BioPark Society staff, the SSC Chair’s Office, and IUCN SSC Specialist Groups (including the Butterfly and Moth, Firefly, and Wild Bee Specialist Groups), oversee extinction risk assessments for insects of conservation concern, including:
• Conceptualize and draft assessments for priority insect species
• Serve as reviewer for assessments prior to publication
• Conduct species-specific background research on distribution, population size and trends, habitat, and ecology, threats, use and trade, and existing conservation actions
• Organize and facilitate international expert review workshops and solicit stakeholder input, where appropriate
• Write proposals, reports and scientific papers
• Engage with and liaise with stakeholders and partners of the IUCN SSC and Red List
• Promote the BioPark’s conservation efforts to Biopark staff and visitors through regular talks and workshops
• Serve as subject matter expert to the public, the zoological community and the wider conservation community in media and at professional conferences
• Advance global insect extinction risk assessments through additional geographically or taxonomically focused projects, as appropriate
• Manage Red List interns and volunteers at the ABQ Biopark and New Mexico Biopark Society as needed
• Represent the ABQ BioPark as a member of the recovery working group for the endangered Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly, including:
  • Provide support for the captive population at the ABQ BioPark
  • Join monthly meetings with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners to support the recovery effort
  • Coordinate and conduct butterfly surveys in the Sacramento or Sangre de Cristo Mountains, as needed
• Manage firefly survey efforts throughout the southwest, including:
  • Recruit and train volunteers to record firefly data through Firefly Atlas
  • Coordinate and conduct night surveys for fireflies in remote habitats
  • Maintain annual survey permits
• Act as Director of the New Mexico Butterfly Monitoring Network, including:
  • Recruit, manage, and retain community science volunteers to survey 40 set routes across the state annually
  • Train volunteers in butterfly identification and survey protocols
  • Manage data collection through the PollardBase network
  • Maintain annual survey permits at sites on National Park Service or National Wildlife Refuge lands
  • Write biannual reports of key findings

Working Conditions:

• Ability to operate in harsh, physically demanding landscapes and weather conditions, including the ability to hike on uneven terrain for a prolonged period while carrying gear and supplies, comfortability with nighttime field work and camping in remote areas, exposure to extreme heat, cold, and wind, and an ability to lift equipment weighing 50 pounds or more
• Ability to operate effectively outside of normal business hours, where necessary (note: this position is required to collaborate across a range of time zones, sometimes resulting in early morning or late-night meetings)
• Ability to travel to and navigate effectively in non-English speaking countries
• Must work evenings and weekends as needed
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license, or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license within two months of hire

The New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS), the nonprofit support organization for the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach, is hiring a full-time Species Survival Officer: Invertebrates. This position works within the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico, in close collaboration with the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission, to deliver conservation outcomes for priority invertebrates both regionally and internationally. In particular, this position will serve a key coordinating role in assessing the extinction risk of select invertebrate groups (e.g., butterflies, moths, wild bees, fireflies) for the IUCN’s Red List of threatened Species, and will play a supporting role in the development of national red lists and other key metrics of conservation success in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In addition, this position will guide, implement and expand regional invertebrate conservation projects, including in situ and ex situ conservation actions for threatened invertebrates.

Minimum qualifications for this posting include a Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field, and two years of relevant experience in biological or conservation science. Ideal candidates will have a Master’s degree and demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of plant conservation projects.