Title: Working Lands for Wildlife-Golden-winged Warbler Conservation Planner and Coordinator

Supervisors: Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Research Institute

Location: Working Lands for Wildlife-Golden-winged Warbler Conservation Planner and Coordinator Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Research Institute Lexington or Verona, VA

Application Deadline: November 29 or until suitable candidate is found

Term of Position: December 2024 to September 30, 2028

Background and Primary Duties:  Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Research Institute, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is looking for a motivated individual to work effectively with private forest landowners and local conservation partners in the Appalachian Mountain region of Virginia. The selected individual will coordinate the implementation of sustainable forest management practices on private lands as part of NRCS’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) effort to assist in the recovery of the Golden-winged Warbler (GWW), while also promoting forest health and timber production objectives.

The Golden-winged Warbler is a forest-dependent migratory songbird that is experiencing prolonged population declines throughout much of its range. Increasing the availability of young forest habitat is an important conservation action necessary for reversing the species’ decline. This position will help continue and build upon Virginia NRCS’s successful delivery of Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW). The VA Coordinator will also have the opportunity to promote landowner enrollment in other conservation programs such as EQIP-Forestry or EQIP-Wildlife.

The Virginia WLFW-GWWA Coordinator’s main duties will be as follows.

Work with NRCS field offices, IUP-RI staff, as well as local partners such as, VA Dept. of Forestry, VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources, USFWS, NGOs (American Bird Conservancy and Ruffed Grouse Society), consulting foresters, and others to:

• Promote forest management that benefits healthy forests and the Golden-Winged Warbler to private landowners and consulting foresters; including the potential to     organize and conduct outreach and training workshops.
• Identify and directly outreach to private landowners with NRCS-based forest stewardship opportunities intended to benefit forest health and Golden-winged Warblers.
• Coordinate and facilitate site visits by partner foresters to provide technical assistance to interested landowners and advance GWW management plan development.
• Maintain records of all landowners involved in the program and track each to assure contacts are made, landowners are connected to appropriate resources/contractors,   and management activities are implemented and completed as designed.
• Work with NRCS field offices and other professional resource managers to assist with landowner site visits, collection of eligibility forms, creation of contract documents   (including threatened and endangered species reviews, cultural resources reviews, and various environmental evaluations),and overseeing implementation of conservation  plans on private lands.
• Assist with monitoring and tracking project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and potentially assist with   focal species monitoring.
• Assist resource professionals with development of site-specific forest management plans according to NRCS practice standards and focal species’ best management   practices. Successful candidate will provide evidence of being an effective writer.
• Write and submit monthly summaries, and interim and annual reports to IUP-RI staff.

Position Requirements:

• The position requires excellent networking and communication skills (presentation, inter-personal, reading, writing); project management experience, and organizing and   leadership skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in forestry, wildlife ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field).A strong understanding of eastern deciduous forest management   practices and implementation is required. Knowledge in ornithology and/or wildlife biology is desired.
• Knowledge of NRCS landowner cost-share programs, especially EQIP, preferred.
• Experience working with private landowners as well as Federal/State agencies (ex. NRCS, state forestry agencies) is desired.
• Ability to use Excel, GIS, Google Maps, and other computer mapping systems to identify and delineate project boundaries.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results and meet deadlines. Applicant must be self-motivated, responsible and have ability to solve problems.
• Coordinator will be required to participate in specific training programs in order to use NRCS facilities, computers, and other equipment. Applicant must have a valid   driver’s license.

The VA Coordinator will be based out of the NRCS field office in Lexington or Verona, VA, but will have the ability to work from home with access to NRCS vehicles and equipment. The Coordinator is an IUP-RI employee and represents IUP-RI in its work. The Coordinator will be supervised by the IUP-RI Project manager in partnership with NRCS. There will be a 60-day probationary period.

Salary: $53K + benefits