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Visalia Partner Biologist
Point Blue Conservation Science
Visalia, CA, USA
Posted on Monday, August 14, 2023
Location: The Visalia Partner Biologist position serves Tulare County and is located in the NRCS Visalia Field Office in Visalia, California.
Compensation & Benefits: This is a three year term position. A full time exempt position with a competitive benefits package including employer paid Medical and Dental and many other benefits for staff.
About Point Blue:
Point Blue advances conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems through innovative research, restoration, outreach and extensive partnerships. Our highest priority is to reduce the impacts of habitat loss, climate change and other threats to biodiversity and people, while promoting adaptation to the changes ahead. Point Blue achieves this by conducting research and developing and communicating science-based solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of these changes. Because of our work today, healthy ecosystems will continue to support thriving biodiversity and human communities in California and beyond, on land and at sea.
Position Summary:
The Working Lands Partner Biologist is a partnership position between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Point Blue Conservation Science that focuses on providing value-added delivery of wildlife conservation programs on working lands through USDA Farm Bill, Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) and other federal and state funding programs. The Partner Biologist will actively participate with NRCS Field Conservationists, working lands producers, and other resource professionals in the development of ranch, farm, and forestry conservation and grazing plans, including resources assessments, conservation practice design, implementation and monitoring. In particular, they will seek to expand the adoption of prescribed conservation practices under NRCS Farm Bill and WCB habitat conservation programs. The Partner Biologist will also be involved with assessment and monitoring of conservation practices that have been applied on those working lands. This position will provide technical assistance with the NRCS field conservationists to working lands producers whose primary focus is on the implementation of conservation in mountain meadow, forest, rangeland and intensive agricultural habitats (working lands).
Essential Functions:
- Build trust with and enroll working lands producers into conservation programs through Farm Bill, WCB, and other federal, state, and local programs.
- Provide technical assistance and program support to NRCS Field Conservationists and working lands producers on habitat conservation practices (e.g. EQIP, CSP, WRE, CDFA Healthy Soils, Point Blue’s WCB program,)
- Develop technical proficiency in the use of NRCS Conservation Planning process and NRCS technical tools such as Web Soil Survey, Ecological Site Descriptions, Wildlife Habitat Evaluations, Rangeland Health Assessments, Protracts, Conservation Desktop and the Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool, and Stream Visual Assessment Protocol2.
- Initiate and sustain cooperative working relationships with working lands producers, NRCS, other federal, state and local agencies, tribes and other under represented groups, conservation groups and other resource professionals.
- Provide technical support for the incorporation of biodiverse habitat considerations and climate-smart conservation principles into producers’ conservation plans.
- Identify and assist with the development of biodiverse habitat related education and outreach materials and deliver these materials at conferences, workshops and workshops.
- Conduct standardized sampling of soils, plants and wildlife, especially birds through Point Blue’s Rangeland Monitoring Network. Adhere to best practices in data management and data analysis.
- Provide fish and wildlife habitat evaluation, management, restoration, and monitoring related training, workshops, and field sessions to NRCS Field Conservationists, working lands producers, and other conservation partners.
- Ensure conservation practice implementation is NEPA or CEQA compliant, and in some cases consult with CDFW or USFWS.
Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- At least 2 years’ experience in working with planning, design, assessment, management, restoration, and monitoring of fish and wildlife habitat on private, public, or tribal lands.
- Strong working knowledge of the flora and fauna of the range and forest lands of California, especially those in proximity of or on working lands.
- BA/BS degree or equivalent experience in an agriculture, forestry, or conservation related field, preferably wildlife biology, range, soil science, hydrology, animal science, agronomy, or forest ecology.
- Working experience and knowledge of USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs or CDFA programs.
- Prefer experience and understanding of cropland, range and forest management principles and implementation of grazing management systems that are beneficial to both domestic livestock and fish and wildlife resources.
- Knowledge of local agriculture and related conservation and cultural practices is desirable.
- Knowledge and experience working with hydrology or riparian restoration is a plus.
- Self-starter, with strong organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize objectives and tasks daily, as well as long term.
- Attention to detail and exceptional follow-up skills are critical.
- Strong communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) are required.
- Strong interpersonal skills, proven ability to work collaboratively and remain flexible under pressure.
- Ability and desire to work with a diverse group of people including, state, federal, tribal, and non-government resource professionals, working lands producers, and the general public.
- Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite, GIS mapping software and Internet) are required.
- Ability to traverse various terrains on foot.
Compensation:
Compensation for this position is $64,480-$72,552 annually. Salary is based on qualifications and internal equity.
Benefits:
Point Blue provides a comprehensive benefit package including employer paid medical and dental for staffand 75% for dependents including domestic partners. Other benefits include long term care insurance, optional vision, life insurance, short term and long term disability, flexible spending account, and a 401k plan with an employer discretionary match.
How to Apply:
Please fill out this form. You will be asked to upload a resume and a 1 page cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications. If you experience issues with the application form, please contact beyestone@pointblue.org. For additional information about Point Blue and highlights of current programs, see www.pointblue.org. Application Deadline: Monday, September 4, 2023.
Point Blue is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, citizenship status, disability status, membership or application for membership in a uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.
Brief Description of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Field Office location:
Visalia: The Visalia USDA NRCS Field Office serves all of Tulare County which extends from the high Sierra Nevada mountains on its eastern boundary across the central/southern San Joaquin Valley and extends west to almost to the low foothills of the Coast Range of California. Tulare County has an area of nearly 5,000 square miles with a little over 3 million acres and is California’s 7th largest county.
Elevations range from near sea level to 14,540 ft. on its border. The land is mostly private held in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, but there are two National Wildlife Refuges (Blue Ridge and Pixley) as well as the part of two National Forests (Inyo and Sequoia) and all the Sequoia National Park and a portion of Kings Canyon National Park, which are mostly in the upper elevations of the county.
Land use is intensive agriculture with Dairy, Oranges, Cattle, Grapes, Corn, Alfalfa, Pistachio, and Walnuts being the top crops raised in the Valley and adjacent foothill rangelands, (Mediterranean annual grasslands, oak woodlands, and savanna) primarily used for citrus, livestock production and wildlife habitat. The upper elevations are a mix of privately held and federal forest lands.
Tulare County is the home of the Tulare County Fair, held since 1915. Tulare is also home to the internationally known World Ag Expo, held annually at the International Agri-Center. Since 1968, the three-day event in February is the largest annual agricultural exposition in the world. The County seat and population center is Visalia, with a county-wide population of 478,000 people.