Species Survival Specialist: Plants

Job Description

Working closely with the IUCN network, The New Mexico BioPark Society Staff, ABQ BioPark Staff and the global botanic garden community, the successful applicant will play a key role in rare plant conservation programs within the Southwestern United States and globally. This position will focus on assessing the extinction risk faced by priority plant species for inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In doing so, the position will help to dramatically expand the understanding of conservation status of plant species globally; laying the much needed foundation for prioritized conservation planning and action across the IUCN and botanic garden community. In addition, the successful applicant will be responsible for translating species extinction risk into conservation action by managing and expanding the ABQ BioPark’s regional plant conservation portfolio, including the ABQ BioPark’s conservation seed bank, annual field collections, rare plant salvage programs, and regional plant partnerships.

About Us

New Mexico BioPark Society:
The New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS) is the support organization for the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach.

NMBPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by local donors. It is not a part of the City of Albuquerque, but a separate legal entity. Donations are tax-deductible in whole or in part.

Mission Statement:
“Making the exceptional possible at the ABQ BioPark.”

The New Mexico BioPark Society is dedicated to the development of, procurement for and capital improvement of the ABQ BioPark and to providing a quality facility through the support of related conservation, education and recreation programs.

New Mexico BioPark Society offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider applications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or the presence of a medical condition or disability. False, incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading information provided by an applicant is grounds for refusal to consider employment, disqualification from employment or discharge from employment with NMBPS.

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Areas of Responsibility

– Complete ‘Introduction to the IUCN Red List’ online course, having passed the final course examination with a score of 80% or higher within one month of hire

– Cultivate partnerships, joint conservation plans, and direct conservation action with regional natural resource management agencies and international conservation stakeholders

– Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., botanic garden curatorial staff, horticulturalists) to advance plant conservation at ABQ BioPark through strategic planning, ex situ and in situ activities

– With guidance from New Mexico BioPark Society staff, the SSC Chair’s Office, and relevant SSC Specialist Groups, oversee extinction risk assessments for plants of conservation concern, including:

o Conceptualize and draft assessments for priority plant species
o Serve as reviewer for assessments prior to publication
o Conduct species-specific background research on distribution, population size and trends, habitat, and ecology, threats, use and trade, and existing conservation actions
o Organize and facilitate international expert review workshops and solicit stakeholder input, where appropriate
o Write proposals, reports and scientific papers
o Engage with and liaise with stakeholders and partners of the IUCN SSC and Red List
o Promote the BioPark’s conservation efforts to Biopark staff and visitors through formal and informal engagement opportunities
o Serve as subject matter expert on plant conservation to the public, the zoological community and the wider conservation community in media and at professional conferences
o Advance global plant extinction risk assessments through additional geographically or taxonomically focused projects, as appropriate

– Line-manage Red List interns and volunteers at the ABQ Biopark and New Mexico Biopark Society as needed
Maintain and expand rare plant collections at the ABQ BioPark, including:

o Maintain records and database documenting rare plant collections and seed bank accessions o Working with global (e.g., Center’s for Plant Conservation) and regional (e.g., Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council) partners to set and implement collection priorities for rare plants in the Southwestern United States
o Design and implement survey, monitoring, and plant collection protocols for priority plants

– Serve as a key training resource for the expanding global network of botanic gardens dedicated to species conservation
Undertake any other duties as needed

Education and Experience

Key Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

– Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field
– Three years of relevant experience in a biological sciences or conservation field
– Experience delivering multiple project outputs at one time, with a strong demonstrated proficiency in organizational skills and time management
– A high level of proficiency in scientific writing in English and proficiency communicating clearly to a variety of audiences (academic, public, membership, non-governmental stakeholders)
– Experience with or a strong willingness to become proficient in mapping tools/software (e.g., GIS) and data management (e.g., Excel, Access)
• Must be legally eligible for employment within the United States

Preferred Qualifications:

– Graduate level degree in biological sciences/conservation or a related field
– A commitment to the role of botanic gardens in conservation
– Strong natural history field skills and familiarity with flora in the southwestern United states and globally
– Demonstrable experience in managing plant field collections (e.g., understanding permitting processes, field collection techniques, identification keys) and seed banking processes (e.g., pest prevention, seed cleaning, seed viability checks, proper storage techniques)
– Understanding of species conservation and emerging threats in the southwestern United States
– Understanding of key theoretical underpinnings of species conservation globally (e.g., evolutionary ecology, physiology, invasion ecology, landscape ecology, land use change)
– Advanced knowledge of mapping tools/software (e.g., qGIS, R, Python)
– Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of partners and disciplines, oftentimes across significant cultural and language barriers • Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across a variety of projects, develop and maintain relationships with staff and partners at all levels of organization
– Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to manage multiple projects, meet frequent and/or demanding deadlines and be self disciplined about work prioritization and time management • Ability to work both as an independent contributor and as part of a collaborative team • An eagerness to expand personal knowledge-base and adapt to new challenges

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

– Ability to operate in harsh, physically demanding landscapes and weather conditions, including the ability to hike on uneven terrain for a prolonged period while carrying gear and supplies, comfortability camping in remote areas, exposure to extreme heat, cold, and wind, and an ability to lift equipment weighing 50 pounds or more
– Ability to operate effectively outside of normal business hours, where necessary (note: this position is required to collaborate across a range of time zones, sometimes resulting in early morning or late night meetings)
– Ability to travel to and navigate effectively in non-English speaking countries
– This position requires working occasional evening and weekend schedules to account for NMBPS board meetings and events
– This position requires reliable transportation and a valid drivers license, or the ability to obtain a valid drivers license within two months of hire

Application Instructions

Apply online at: https://www.bioparksociety.org/employment-iucn-application/