Dear OBFS Community,

The OBFS Collaborations Committee is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new station exchange program (SXP). The intent of this program is to provide mini travel awards to facilitate field station staff travel to other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training and mentoring opportunities. Recipients should seek to learn more about specific aspects of station management (i.e., programmatic offerings, infrastructure, land management, research coordination) that are applicable to the needs of their home station. To this end, OBFS is offering five travel awards of up to $1,000 each that will facilitate 2-3 day shadowing experiences with host staff.

Applicants should submit a letter of support from the field station they are visiting along with a short, written statement outlining specific needs that includes:

1.     Short written description describing need for cross training/shadowing experience.

2.     Person/people they will be shadowing.

3.     Proposed travel dates and logistics.

Rules and Regulations:

1.     Both the awardee and the host station must be members of OBFS in good standing.

2.     Awards are provided on a reimbursement basis only (i.e., no funds will be provided ahead of expenses).

3.     Allowable travel expenses include economy airfare to host station, meals, lodging, car rental, host station fees.

4.     Original receipts will be required for reimbursement of allowed expenses.

5.     Legible scanned copies of receipts can be emailed to the OBFS treasurer for reimbursement.

6.     This opportunity is intended to provide shadowing opportunities across field stations and is not intended to support travel to conferences or formal workshops.

7.     Award recipients will be required to submit a short final report and evaluation upon completion of their exchange experience.

Timeline:

1.     August 15, 2022 Applications due

2.     August 15-31 OBFS collaborations committee reviews the applications.

3.     Early September- Awardees will be notified on the status of their application.

Please submit written statement and letter of support to [email protected]

Thank you,

The Collaborations Committee

Black Rock Forest (BRF) seeks an Executive Director (ED) to provide vision and direction to the vibrant organization. Black Rock Forest is a living laboratory for field-based research, education and conservation encompassing native terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that are increasingly rare in the region. The 3,920-acre Forest features dramatic topography, more than 1,000 feet of relief, numerous lakes and streams, and high species and habitat diversity. Following more than three decades of dedicated leadership from outgoing Executive Director, Dr. William S.F. “Bill” Schuster, BRF is poised to enter a new era.

Reporting to and working closely with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership and day-to-day management for the Forest. Responsibilities include: strategic planning, scientific leadership, fiscal oversight of the operating budget, external engagement, fundraising, talent recruitment, and the management and development of ten full-time and five part-time staff. Partnerships are also critical to the Executive Director’s work, including civic interactions relating to the portion of the local water and reservoir system contained within the Forest. The ED must foster strong working relationships with its consortium member institutions, the surrounding state parks and forests, Storm King Art Center, and other important community partners.

The position calls for a dynamic leader and spokesperson who brings proven managerial and organizational leadership skills, outstanding abilities in communication and collaboration, and an advanced scientific background in forest ecology, environmental science, or a related field.

Black Rock Forest has partnered with Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to help with this recruitment. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications should be sent via electronic mail to:

Kennedy Kearney-Fischer, Managing Associate

Becky Piper, Senior Associate

Monica Ochoa, Search Coordinator

www.imsearch.com/8432

Coastal Steward, Tuckernuck Land Trust 

Tuckernuck Island, Massachusetts 

The Tuckernuck Land Trust (TLT) seeks a Coastal Steward to live and work on Tuckernuck Island from May to August 2022 (approx. 15 weeks), with the possibility of extension. This 800- acre island is located 25 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and lies just west of Nantucket Island. It supports a distinctive coastal maritime plant and animal community that includes several state- and federally listed species. The Coastal Steward will monitor and protect beach-nesting shorebirds, interact with and provide education for residents and their visitors, and potentially assist visiting scientists with their research. Applicants for this position should be adventurous and have the skills necessary to live and work independently in a semi remote location. Intensive and physical field work is an integral part of this job. 

Qualifications 

• Candidate should have or be working toward a degree in wildlife biology/management,  ecology, environmental science, or a related field 

• Field experience in biological data collection and coastal bird identification and/or their  monitoring is strongly preferred; additional training will be provided 

• Candidate must possess excellent communication and observational skills 

• Candidate must be able to live and work independently at a semi-remote location, to  walk long distances daily, to work in less-than-ideal conditions (i.e., mosquitoes, ticks,  poison ivy), and to swim proficiently 

Additional Information 

• 40-hour work week; daily hours vary and are weather-dependent; weekend and holiday  work required 

• Residence provided, equipped with basic necessities (i.e., water, sleeping loft, kitchen,  etc.), including limited power from solar panel and generator 

• Limited Internet access provided for communication and reporting 

• Biweekly round trips provided, via boat, to access food and supplies on Nantucket Island • Transportation to and from meetings provided 

Shorebird Responsibilities 

• Locate and monitor Piping Plovers, terns and American Oystercatchers, maintain detailed records of all breeding activities, and complete weekly updates and end-of season reports 

• Install and maintain protective fencing and signs in compliance with state and federal  guidelines for beach-nesting birds 

• Observe and record all color-banded birds and enter sightings in appropriate data base 

• Interact in a positive manner with beachgoers and provide information about beach nesting birds and their protection under state and federal regulations 

• Document any violations of these regulations and report them to authorities on  Nantucket 

• Attend regularly scheduled local and regional meetings related to shorebirds

Educational Responsibilities 

• Conduct (or assist) and promote weekly educational programs for residents and visitors • Facilitate visiting scientists’ research 

• Maintain a small science library 

• Promote TLT’s work in the community 

• Submit a seasonal report to the TLT Board of Directors at the close of employment 

Property Management Responsibilities 

• Maintain residence and equipment in good order 

• Complete light maintenance as needed on TLT property, including mowing grass • Welcome and assist visiting scientists and share living quarters for short periods • Communicate problems and needed repairs to TLT supervisors in a timely manner 

This job represents a unique opportunity for a well-qualified candidate. Please send a letter of interest, resume, and three references to both [email protected] and  [email protected]. Job inquiries and supporting material must be received by March 4, 2022. 

Please note: Work will be conducted in compliance with all applicable COVID-19 regulations,  and job responsibilities may be adjusted if necessary.

The University of Minnesota’s College of Biological Sciences is recruiting a PhD level, Research Scientist to lead high-impact ecological research at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR) in collaboration with Cedar Creek's Long-Term Ecological Research (CDR LTER) team of faculty, post-doc, and graduate student researchers. The successful applicant should have research interests and skills that complement and extend existing CDR LTER research and a record of published, impactful research. Additional duties include collaborating in the development and implementation of ecosystem and land management plans at CCESR, such as the experimental burning program to restore and maintain oak savannas.

Research at CDR LTER integrates long-term observations and experiments, theory, and models to achieve a mechanistic and predictive understanding of how ecological systems respond to interacting human-driven environmental changes and how those responses alter environmental processes and ecosystem services. Most CDR LTER research takes place at CCESR, which is a 2200 ha reserve located 40 minutes north of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus.

Further information on CDR LTER and CCESR is available here: https://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/

Review of applications will begin on 7 March 2022, and applications received before that time will receive the fullest attention. To apply for the position and for a detailed list of duties/responsibilities and job qualifications, go to: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/345839

Alternately, to apply search for Job ID 345839 here: https://humanresources.umn.edu/content/find-job

Please contact Eric Seabloom ([email protected]) if you have questions about this position.