Ecologist I/II

~ The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat Authority) is dedicated to the acquisition, restoration, and management of open space in the Puente Hills for preservation of the land in perpetuity, with the primary purpose to protect the biological diversity. ~

Additionally, the agency will endeavor to provide opportunities for outdoor education and low-impact recreation.

The Habitat Authority is a public agency, Joint Powers Authority with a Board of Directors consisting of the City of Whittier, County of Los Angeles, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, and the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association. The Habitat Authority came into existence in 1994 as a condition of approval for the Puente Hills Landfill, its main funding source.

The Habitat Authority’s jurisdiction extends within eastern Los Angeles County approximately from the intersection of the 605 and 60 Freeways in the west to Harbor Boulevard in the east.

To date, the Habitat Authority manages approximately 3,870 acres of preserved public open space, of which 1,878 is owned by the Habitat Authority. The remaining lands are either owned by the City of Whittier or the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. Ultimately it is hoped that over 4,000 acres will be preserved. The Habitat Authority’s main focus since inception has been acquisition of the remaining open space within its jurisdiction with special consideration given to the Hacienda Heights area. The thinking is that we need to acquire what is left before it is not available any more. We also engage in many other very important activities such as Preserve Management and Natural Resource Management, and provide many other valuable services such as Outreach and Trail Access.

Click here for a timeline of the Habitat Authority’s Achievements.

Click here to see a copy of the Habitat Authority’s Joint Powers Authority Agreement.

Position Overview

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat Authority) seeks one full-time Ecologist or Ecologist II. The Habitat Authority is a government park agency established for the purpose of acquiring, restoring and/or maintaining additional open space and native habitat in the Puente Hills area of Los Angeles County, CA. The Habitat Authority manages approximately 3,870 acres of preserved public open space. The Habitat Authority installed in partnership with other agencies, the first and only wildlife road underpass in Los Angeles County. 

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Ecologist will perform a variety of natural resource related projects in support of the agency. This is an at-will position.

Responsibilities

Ecologist I:

• Regularly available to attend agency Citizen Technical Advisory Committee meetings generally held the Tuesday before the fourth Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
• Available monthly for Board meetings generally held every fourth Thursday at 3 p.m.
• Both meetings are located in Whittier. However, attendance at meetings that vary in date and time may be necessary.
• Coordinate all revegetation activities and biological related contracts.
• Write monthly staff reports.
• Monitor effects of recreation on managed lands.
• Analyze technical data and make appropriate recommendations.
• Conduct mammalian and recreational camera or track monitoring.
• Inspection of potential properties for acquisition.
• Assist with implementing purchasing policies for natural resource contracts.
• Understand and implement agency Resource Management Plan.
• Basic GIS mapping.
• Identify coastal California gnatcatcher, cactus wren and other birds in the field.
• Assist with education and volunteer program, if needed.
• Other related duties as may be assigned.

Ecologist II:

• All of the above mentioned for Range I.
• Extensive GIS mapping of natural resources as needed .
• Conduct periodic surveys and monitoring activities for coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren on properties.
• Other related duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Ecologist I:

Experience: 

• 4 years or more of experience of implementation of resource management planning and protection programs as an ecologist. (Graduate work in Ecology, natural sciences, or closely related fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.)
• Experience with restoration projects; planning, budgeting bidding and coordinating projects.
• Experience with CEQA and regulatory permitting requirements.

Education: 

• Completion of bachelors degree in Ecology, Biology, Botany, Wildlife Management, or related field.
• A masters degree in a related field is highly desirable and preferred.

Knowledge of: 

• Conservation Biology theory.
• Southern California environment and resources.
• Local wildlife and vegetation communities.
• GPS and GIS application software.
• Knowledge of CEQA and regulatory permitting requirements.

Ability to: 

• Work independently, be a self-starter and team player.
• Excellent wildlife and/or botanical identification skills.
• Be able to identify a coastal CA gnatcatcher and cactus wren in the field.
• Provide creativity in the planning and implementing of programs.
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
• Keep necessary records and write well-written reports.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Establish effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Participate with public educational efforts of the agency, basic GIS data layer management and mapping, and good attitude to research issues in unfamiliar subject areas.
• Willingness to work occasional nights or weekends.
• Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Ecologist II:

Experience: 

• 5 years or more of experience as an ecologist.
• Experience as listed for Ecologist I, plus 2 years experience with GIS software program experience, 3 years of contract oversight experience and possess (or have made significant progress towards obtaining) a Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit to conduct presence/absence surveys for the coastal California gnatcatcher.

Education: 

• Same as Ecologist I.

Knowledge of: 

• Knowledge as listed for Ecologist I, plus knowledge of administration including contract oversight, policy and program development.

Ability to: 

• Abilities as listed for Ecologist I, plus ability to prepare long range resource management plans.
• Systematically monitor ecological degradation and impacts from recreational use.
• Prepare clear, complete and technically accurate reports;
• Effectively administer complex projects; make maps in GIS.
• Possession of or ability to obtain an appropriate California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

The Ideal Candidate:

• In addition to the minimum qualifications listed above, the most competitive applicants will have a masters degree in a related subject.
• The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be ready to join a small and cohesive team as a flexible and supportive team player.
• The ideal candidate should have experience in habitat restoration, and general biological and wildlife monitoring.
• Government experience is also desirable for an understanding of the uniqueness of public sector rules and regulations.

Compensation

• $5,733.31 - $8,836.47 Monthly.

Supplemental Information

• Paid holidays of 88 hours per year, plus 20 hours floating holiday.
• Paid vacation of eighty (80) hours upon completing twelve (12) months of service to the Authority.
• Sick leave to accrue at 8 hours per month (total 96 hours per year).
• Group Insurance – The Authority will contribute to health and life insurance coverage.
• All newly hired employees who are not "Classic Members" will be classified as "New Members" and shall have the new 2% at 62 CalPERS Retirement formula. Cal PERS Retirement formula shall be 2.5% @ 55 for "Classic Members". The employee shall contribute 12% of salary as a payroll deduction for this benefit.