The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The seasonal research assistant will assist the Southern Nevada Project Ecologist of The Nature Conservancy with plot marking, vegetation sampling, and soil sample collection and management in the 100-year floodplain of the Upper Muddy River of Clark County. The position will start March 1 2009, and last for 10 weeks @ 40 hours/week (or equivalent total hours for a longer period) and be located out of Las Vegas, NV. The technician will be required to use a hand-held GPS unit and a Window CE-based personal digital assistant to record plant species abundance using line-intercept methods and use a spherical densitometer for tree canopy cover estimation. Experience with Mojave Desert or intermountain flora is necessary or highly preferable as the technician will be expected to identify common plant and shrub species within 1-2 weeks of employment while working with the project ecologist. The technician should expect to spend long hours in the field working under hot and dry conditions. The position will be supervised by the Director of Conservation Ecology and the position will supervise no staff. The position will take directions, duty assignments, and timelines from the Southern Nevada Project Ecologist.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: • Willingness to work long hours in an isolated setting. • Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult and sometimes hazardous terrain. • Must have a valid driver’s license for potential use of four-wheel drive vehicles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
• High school degree required. Class work in range management, biology, ecology, natural resources management or related field, or related work experience. • Ability to organize time and manage diverse activities. Meet deadlines. • Knowledge of natural systems. • Experience in MS Office, Word, Excel, and Access preferred. Ability to use advanced computer functions including navigating the Internet. • Experience with or willingness to use personal digital assistants (Window CE OS) to enter and download field data and to use a hand-held GPS unit (e.g., Garmin®). • Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
BENEFITS
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit resume and cover letter as one document. All sections of online application must be completed (e.g. work experience and education, even if information is included in resume) to be considered for a position. Application deadline is February 1, 2009.
EOE STATEMENT
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
