Jobs & Internships
VWL INTERNSHIP & FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Virginia Working Landscapes hosts a competitive internship program as well as a graduate fellowship program. Check back throughout the year as we post new opportunities.
There are no internship openings at this time.
VWL JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Virginia Working Landscapes Survey Coordinator Announcement
Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) is Smithsonian-led research-based program that works with community volunteers to collect standardized inventory and long-term ecological data with the purpose of informing conservation approaches for native biodiversity. VWL is currently seeking to hire a Survey Coordinator to coordinate and promote ecological monitoring activities and provide continuing liaison between program researchers and the local landowner and volunteer community. The successful applicant must have strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and exhibit strong leadership and organizational skills. The position is stationed at the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia.
Primary Job Duties
Survey coordination
· Coordinate biodiversity monitoring surveys on new and existing sites in the Northern Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley region.
· Recruit new monitoring sites, establish sampling plots, assign survey types to sampling plots according to landscape characteristics and land management using GIS.
· Perform execution of field surveys, implement internal and external research projects, and summarize research results to share with resource specialists and land managers.
· Coordinate communication with natural resource agency staff, conservation NGO personnel, and land owners and managers about annual monitoring activities.
Ecological Monitoring
· Conduct biodiversity surveys (including but not limited to avian point counts, line transects, vegetation surveys, specimen collection and preparation, camera trapping and soil sampling.)
· Assist in developing field protocols that are feasible for volunteer surveyors.
Volunteer Training and Management
· Coordinate the recruitment, training and site assignments for citizen scientists.
· Organize volunteer trainings and create training manuals for ecological monitoring protocols.
· Manage ongoing communications of our rotating team of 50-80 citizen scientists
Report Preparation
· Preparation of reports which summarize the progress and results of projects.
· Assist with preparation of manuscripts.
· Disseminate progress and results to landowners, citizen scientists, outreach partners and collaborating scientists.
Data Management
· Coordinate data collection from citizen scientists; review data for accuracy.
· Maintain organization of survey database.
· Assist with data analysis and manuscript preparation.
Program Recruitment
· Conducts farm visits to assess suitability of lands for research projects.
· Works closely with Program Coordinator to recruit, coordinate and manage landowners, including interviews with landowners to gather information on land management.
· Assists Program Coordinator with regional outreach activities related to program recruitment.
Specific Skills, Educational Requirements, Experience, Knowledge and Attributes that are needed for high performance:
· Enthusiasm for and positive representation of VWL’s mission and goals.
· Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, ecology, or closely related discipline is required – applicants with advanced degrees preferred.
· Excellent writing and verbal communication skills; ability to represent VWL to all types of audiences in a high quality and polished fashion, to exhibit a diplomatic, and positive presence.
· Demonstrated knowledge and experience in volunteer training and management
· Practical knowledge of collecting ecological data in the field, data entry and data management through previous field experience – knowledge of and/or experience in identifying flora and fauna of Virginia preferred.
· Experience with ArcGIS and R to create maps, manipulate and analyze data.
· Experience with technical writing and/or producing written project summary reports.
· Familiarity with best practices with preparing for and maintaining field safety.
· Ability to prioritize and multi-task with a high level of productivity and accuracy.
This full time IS-5 level position is a one-year appointment with Smithsonian Trust employee benefits (including healthcare, dental, paid vacation, and sick leave) which has the possibility of being extended. Please submit a cover letter, resume and 3 references to: SCBIVWL@si.edu.
Deadline for submission is Oct 9th, 2020.
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park is an equal opportunity employer.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FROM OUR PARTNERS
There are no job openings at this time.
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Virginia Working Landscapes
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
1500 Remount Road
Front Royal, Virginia 22630
SCBIVWL@si.edu
540.635.0038
