Preserve Manager, Northern California

The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) is a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization, created in 1990, whose mission is the perpetual stewardship of natural and created conservation lands, sensitive species, and their resident ecosystems. Stewardship activities are currently divided between California and Washington.

In the State of Washington, CNLM's South Puget Sound Program focuses on conservation of one of the rarest ecosystems in the United States, the prairie and oak woodlands of Cascadia, especially those lands and habitats within the South Sound Region. In that Region, the Program aims to protect, restore habitats, and support recovery of rare species that are candidates for federal listing.

Currently in California, seventy-five preserves, encompassing over 30,000 acres throughout the state, are within CNLM's portfolio, with new preserves added regularly. The preserves vary in size from three to thousands of acres and are managed under direct ownership, conservation easements, or contracts.

Central to the CNLM's mission and fundamental to its success are the principles of rigorous cost estimation for managing conservation areas in perpetuity and application of appropriate scientific information for conservation and restoration. CNLM has a well-established practice of selecting for and investing in excellent staff to fulfill its mission.

Currently, CNLM is headquartered in Fallbrook, CA, although most senior staff reside elsewhere and communication is more often by phone and email than by in-person meetings.

Position Overview:

The Preserve Manager, Northern California (hereafter, Preserve Manager-NC) will be responsible for a portfolio of preserves in northern California, including Sacramento and Pacer Counties. This position will complement another portfolio of CNLM preserves in northern California that includes preserves in Yolo and Solano Counties and that is managed by another CNLM northern California Preserve Manager.

The Preserves in this portfolio represent a variety of habitats including grasslands, vernal pools, riparian wetlands, and marshlands. All CNLM preserves have sensitive or federally or State-listed species. The anchor preserves for this management position are the ‘Prichard Lake' and ‘Willey Wetlands' Preserves. They contain wetland habitats (marsh, riparian) and are intensively managed because of their enhanced, restored, or created features and their purpose of maintaining the federally and State-threatened giant garter snake.

See the CNLM website for preserve descriptions. Other preserves may be added over time and responsibilities may change or be shared with the other northern California Preserve Manager.

The Preserve Manager-NC will provide resource management in accordance with the conservation values and regulatory requirements of each Preserve. Preserves are managed as individual entities with site-specific plans, reports, and budgets. The Preserve Manager-NC oversees, and directly implements or facilitates, all management activities on the Preserves within the position's portfolio from budgeting through planning to implementation.

This position requires maintenance of a home office. There is a considerable degree of autonomy (and responsibility) associated with this position because of CNLM's organizational structure which focuses on preserve management rather than high levels of administration and supervision. Supervision will be provided by the Regional Preserve Manager - Northern and Central California; guidance will also be provided by the Director of Conservation Science. The Preserve Manager-NC will contribute to CNLM's expertise and documentation of ‘best management practices' for managing vernal pool, grassland, riparian, and other wetland habitats, in particular.

Reports to: Regional Preserve Manager - Northern and Central California

Responsibilities:

• Provide all stewardship activities on a portfolio of CNLM preserves in northern California
• Develop and implement stewardship, habitat enhancement, or restoration activities for the portfolio Preserves
• (Possibly) supervise an Assistant Preserve Manager and supervise any required contracted assistance, as portfolio budgets allow
• Monitor occurrences and populations of native and exotic species of plants and animals and conduct inspections of preserves for compliance with conservation easements and other management obligations
• Carry out preserve management activities such as vegetation management, maintenance of water control structures and monitoring water levels, repairing fences and posting signs, and preparing scopes of work and contracts for specific services
• As appropriate, analyze and interpret the results of monitoring activities and incorporate this information into management plans
• Develop and maintain a permanent record of preserve activities, decisions taken, and preserve conditions
• Participate in planning and community meetings as a representative of CNLM and lead public outreach and education efforts regarding the portfolio preserves
• Prepare and implement annual work plans, budgets, and reports including funding proposals for onsite restoration, research, or public education projects
• Work collaboratively with CNLM project proponents, resource agencies, consultants, and other conservation organizations
• Conduct PAR© (Property Analysis Record) analyses on new preserves working collaboratively with CNLM project proponents, resource agencies, consultants, and other conservation organizations
• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master of Science (or Arts) degree in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, Botany, or related field, or compelling evidence of equivalent experience and self education
• Relevant experience in land stewardship, including application of best management practices, restoration, and management of rare or fragile species; at least 3 years of such experience is desirable
• Experience in management of wetland habitats is desirable
• Excellent social and supervisory skills with demonstrated effectiveness in working collaboratively, leading volunteer and public education efforts, and professionally representing CNLM at public and client meetings/div>
• Proven self-starter, able to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision and able to appropriately use initiative to meet habitat management goals; having the maturity and discretion to seek advice and policy guidance when needed and appropriate
• Able to quickly learn and effectively use the PAR© (Property Analysis Record) software, including the due diligence required for proper application of this financial tool
• Able to prepare annual budgets and manage Preserve activities within them
• Able to structure time effectively and meet deadlines
• Effective communication skills-both written and oral; able to prepare succinct and cogent reports and plans
• Working knowledge of GIS and GPS technologies and associated software and a working knowledge of Windows XP operating system and PC applications such as Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with statistical analyses and associated software is desirable
• Must have and maintain a valid California driver's license and safe driving record
• Familiarity with native California species, through research or management is desirable
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local environmental legislation and codes such as the California Environmental Quality Act, the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts, the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as the Habitat Conservation Plan process is desirable
• Possession of US Fish and Wildlife Service permit to monitor vernal pool species (or other listed species within the portfolio) or ability to quickly acquire the skills and experience that would lead to acquiring such permit is desirable.

Working Conditions:

• Regularly required to hike through a variety of habitat types and terrain, walking over uneven ground, climbing over obstacles, and accessing remote locations
• Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation
• Regularly required to operate a CNLM vehicle
• Frequently works alone
• Some evening and weekend responsibilities including travel
• Occasionally may be required to use or supervise the use of pesticides and or other chemical substances
• Occasionally required to use or supervise the use of powered equipment such as weed trimmers, chain saws, and the like
• Occasionally lifts, positions or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 30 pounds

The working conditions described here are representative in part of those that will be encountered by an employee in this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to successfully function in these working conditions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. CNLM management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the CNLM and the employee and is subject to change by CNLM as the needs of the CNLM and requirements of the job change.

Compensation: Full-time Salaried with benefits. Salary: $45-50k

Location: General Sacramento/Davis area, California

To Apply:

Qualified applicants must provide a detailed letter of interest, current resumé or curriculum vitae, 2 examples of professional writing (such as publications, professional reports, or management plans), and 3 professional references (names, affiliations, and contact information only). All applications will be acknowledged.

Electronic submissions preferred.

Attn: HR Department
Center for Natural Lands Management
215 West Ash Street
Fallbrook, CA 92028

CNLM is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.