Summary: Develops the strategic design and implementation of restoration plans for ecosystems within the grounds of the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center and other sites in the community. Also contributes to the Center’s educational outreach, including teachers, school groups, and graduate students.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Designs and implements relevant management and restoration plans for Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (Center) woodland, grassland and riparian ecosystems.
- Designs, conducts, and supervises ecological research to enable better site management.
- Provides technical consultation to educational programs affiliated with the Center. May lead small groups of students and teachers in educational programs.
- Manages all ecological data for research, management, and educational purposes.
- Collaborates with appropriate colleagues locally and nationally to ensure that best practices are being followed.
- Provides technical expertise, training, and supervision to teachers, colleagues and volunteers as needed for them to contribute effectively.
- Coordinates efforts with outside institutions in order to promote urban-ecological research activities.
- Contributes to regional and national restoration efforts through public education, publications, and presentations.
- Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: At times, this position may be responsible for supervising interns and seasonal assistants.
Competencies:
- Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
- Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
- Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve positional goals; Understands department’s strengths & weaknesses; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
- Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to additional work hours when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
- Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings, as required.
- Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
- Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively, using correct spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
- Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
- Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Qualifications and/or Experience:
- Three (3) years related experience in restoration and research.
- Prior experience with fire prescription, exotic species control, Mid-western prairie and forest botany, native plant restoration and GIS is required.
- Working knowledge and prior experience in the use of pesticides.
- Demonstrated experience with long-term vegetation monitoring, grant writing and environmental education desirable.
- In depth knowledge of ecological concepts and Missouri ecology.
- Prior experience working with volunteers a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations for the purposes of creating a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities in a sophisticated environment.
- Demonstrated ability to create various reports and write business correspondence and procedure manuals.
- Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.
- Exceptional ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.
- Scheduling flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed is required.
- The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology or related field required.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.
Other Skills and Abilities: N/A
Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).
Mathematical Skills:
- Proficient College Math Aptitude - Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.
Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to exercise independent judgment.
- Ability to identify future consequences of present actions.
Computer Skills:
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Office software (including databases), GIS and GPS.
- Solid Internet research skills.