West Gulf Coastal Plain/Ouachitas Partnership Coordinator

~ American Bird Conservancy's (ABC) mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ~

Our commitment to bird conservation remains absolute, even while some other groups shift their mission to prioritize people over wildlife. We believe unequivocally that conserving birds and their habitats benefits all other species — including people.

Position Overview

This is a full-time position with the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture (LMVJV). The position is funded under grants from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and LMVJV partners. There is currently funding available for two years. Pending securement of additional funding, it is intended that the position will be extended.

The Partnership Coordinator will play a lead role in communicating and coordinating delivery activities among LMVJV partners, especially through the LMVJV's Conservation Delivery Networks (CDNs), towards efficient and effective bird habitat conservation outcomes. The LMVJV is a voluntary partnership of private, state, and federal conservation organizations that have assumed responsibility for implementing national and international bird conservation plans within portions of 8 states comprising the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and West Gulf Coastal Plains/Ouachitas Bird Conservation Regions.

The incumbent will be employed through ABC as staff of the LMVJV partnership and will report to and receive direction from the LMVJV Coordinator. ABC will provide supervision through the Vice President for North American Birds and Habitats. Duty location is semi-flexible. The position will be housed by one of the LMVJV's WGCPO partners, likely Texas Parks & Wildlife Department or Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries.

Responsibilities

• Maintain positive and effective relations between the LMVJV Office and the TX and LA Longleaf Pine Initiative Teams, facilitating identification of knowledge and capacity gaps that the LMVJV can help close, and assisting with addressing those issues.
• Maintain positive and effective relations with Shortleaf Initiative proponents such that CDNs in particular and LMVJV partners in general are positioned to assist in the effective delivery of Shortleaf Initiative objectives.
• Provide support to the Northeast Texas CDN Chair, Steering Committee, and members, including but not limited to helping develop meeting agendas, serving as an interface between and resource to LMVJV Office and Partner technical staff (i.e., conservation planning resources) and CDN members, coordinating among Texas Parks & Wildlife Department staff, National Wild Turkey Federation staff, CDN members, and others as appropriate for efficient operation of the NETX Habitat Incentive Program, and coordinating focused, purpose-driven bird and habitat monitoring relevant to CDN activities. Serves as the primary point of communication and coordination for delivery of the NETX Habitat Incentive Program.
• Provide support to the Arkansas-Louisiana CDN Chair, Steering Committee, and members, including but not limited to helping develop meeting agendas, serving as an interface between and resource to LMVJV Office and Partner technical staff (i.e., conservation planning resources) and CDN members, coordinating among Arkansas Game & Fish Commission staff, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries staff, Quail Forever staff, and U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service staff, facilitating development and coordination of additional funds for delivering CDN priority activities, and coordinating focused, purpose-driven bird and habitat monitoring relevant to CDN activities.
• Work with partner staff to identify and pursue new and novel means of garnering increased capacity (personnel & funding) in support of the LMVJV partnership's conservation priorities in the WGCPO.
• Attend key regional and national meetings for networking and coordination with partner staff.
• Communicate timely information to the LMVJV Management Board, primarily through the LMVJV Coordinator.

Qualifications

• A Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with at least 3 years of work experience in a related position. Demonstrated knowledge of the theories and principles of wildlife ecology, wildlife management, habitat management, and bird conservation.
• Working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems and their application in characterizing, analyzing, and assessing ecological processes, systems, and conditions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of field techniques and procedures in wildlife habitat management.
• Demonstrated abilities in written and oral communication with land managers, conservation administrators, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with conservation professionals and professionals from other disciplines.
• Skill in developing grant proposals to support various facets of habitat conservation.
• Willingness to travel frequently throughout the West Gulf Coastal Plain/Ouachitas Conservation Region and, to a lesser extent, the United States.

Additional Information

LMVJV staff positions to date include a Coordinator, Science Coordinator, Mississippi Alluvial Valley Partnership Coordinator, GIS Applications Biologist, and Office Administrator. Collectively, they are responsible for coordinating and facilitating the work of the JV partnership as needed on all aspects of bird conservation planning, design, implementation, evaluation, and administration.

The WGCPO Partnership Coordinator will function as a member of the LMVJV Office Team. In particular, the WGCPO Partnership Coordinator will lead efforts to steward existing CDNs, foster development of new CDNs, and facilitate efficient and effective bird habitat conservation delivery across the WGCPO, including but not limited to providing a bridge between conservation planners and habitat delivery professionals.

The position requires working knowledge and familiarity with the mission and objectives of ABC and the LMVJV and a working knowledge of Joint Venture structure, function, and its role in facilitating bird conservation. Strong communications skills are critical to lead, negotiate, and advise on matters of a technical nature, as well as coordinate partner delivery efforts at various scales. The work requires innovation, flexibility, self-motivation and attention to detail. It is essential that the staff member in this position is able to prioritize tasks and work both independently and in a team environment.

To Apply

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