This is a full-time position with American Bird Conservancy (ABC); however, you may see this position announced simultaneously through another employer. We encourage all interested applicants to apply through both avenues. The Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) Science Coordinator works for the AMJV partnership, which consists of private, state, and federal conservation agencies and organizations that have assumed responsibility for the implementation of national and international bird conservation plans within the Appalachian Mountains Bird Conservation Region. The Science Coordinator functions as part of the AMJV Office and will report directly to the AMVJ Coordinator. The AMJV Office is responsible for coordinating and facilitating the work of the entire AMJV partnership on all aspects of bird conservation planning, implementation, monitoring, research, and evaluation. As Science Coordinator for the AMJV Office, the incumbent focuses on the biological underpinnings of the conservation partnership’s collective efforts – coordinating and facilitating the development and progressive refinement of a strong scientific foundation for bird conservation within the region. Work station may be in Blacksburg (VA) or Lexington (KY).
This position requires a good understanding of ABC’s and AMJV’s mission, and a basic knowledge of Joint Venture structure and function. There is a great deal of contact with others within and outside the organization and partnership, in person, by telephone, and through e-mail and other correspondence. The work requires initiative, flexibility, and attention to detail. It is essential that the staff member in this position is able to prioritize tasks and work in a team environment. The position reports to the AMJV Coordinator and ABC’s Vice-President for Conservation Science.
Primary Duties:
1. The Science Coordinator will coordinate and facilitate the science-based biological planning necessary to link on-the-ground habitat objectives of Joint Venture partners to population goals and objectives of regional, national, and international bird conservation plans. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for coordinating activities of multiple partners in developing – through transparent, replicable processes and procedures – goals and objectives that reflect measurable biological outcomes linked across multiple spatial scales.
2. The Science Coordinator is responsible for coordinating activities of multiple partners in order to integrate biological goals and objectives for multiple bird species groups in a spatially-explicit manner.
3. The Science Coordinator is responsible for coordinating activities of multiple partners in developing decision support tools that guide on-the-ground conservation actions with explicit consideration of the environmental sensitivity of the landscape and broader-scale biological outcomes.
4. Working through technical working groups and individual conservation partners, the Science Coordinator is responsible for developing goals, objectives, protocols, and procedures for monitoring habitat change and population response at multiple spatial scales that are linked to formal decision-making processes.
5. Working with and through scientists in other agencies and organizations, the Science Coordinator is responsible for identifying research needs and facilitating projects that address assumptions and uncertainties associated with the Joint Venture’s biological planning and that lead to progressive refinement of its biological goals and objectives.
6. The Science Coordinator will be responsible for creating and maintaining an effective partnership infrastructure that includes standing and ad hoc committees/working groups focused on developing and progressively refining the scientific foundation of conservation actions of Joint Venture partners.
7. The Science Coordinator will represent the Joint Venture Office and Joint Venture partnership in broader science arenas associated with national and international bird conservation initiatives (e.g. the Partners in Flight Science Committee).
Position Requirements:
1. College degree and at least three years work/research experience in a related position. Demonstrated knowledge of the theories and principles of landscape ecology, population ecology, and ecosystem management.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of Geographic Information Systems and their role, utility, and application in characterizing, analyzing, and assessing ecological processes, systems, and conditions.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of field techniques and procedures in monitoring and assessing wildlife population status and habitat conditions, and knowledge of the natural history of the birds of the Appalachian Mountains.
4. Skill in the development of population/habitat relationship models and the application of model-based approaches to assessing, predicting, or monitoring the ability of landscapes to support/sustain wildlife populations.
5. Skill in developing and executing experimental designs to test and assess hypotheses regarding population/habitat relationships.
6. Demonstrated abilities in written and oral communication with academia, habitat managers, conservation administrators, and the general public.
7. Skill in using statistical software and programming languages to develop algorithms and scripts to support complex analyses of tabular and spatial data.
8. Demonstrated ability in organizing and conducting research projects and studies that lead to peer-reviewed results and publications.
9. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with conservation professionals and professionals from other disciplines.
10. Skill in developing grant proposals to support biological research and assessment.
11. Willingness to travel frequently throughout the Appalachians and U.S., and occasionally internationally.
Application Instructions:
Please send a cover letter and resume to Merrie Morrison, Vice President of Operations by November 25, 2009; P.O. Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198 or by email to 
