Plant-Pollinator Data Specialist

JOB TITLE: Plant-Pollinator Data Specialist

LOCATION: Remote based position, flexible within the United States. Candidates must have a home office location suitable for work purposes, with good internet access, and must work from a city/state location approved by Xerces as their permanent work location.

COMPENSATION: $ 2,812.33 semi-monthly, $67,495 per year

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, salaried, exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week.

JOB START DATE: November 1, 2024

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 27, 2024

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

We are committed to creating a more diverse workforce that is welcoming to all employees and the communities we serve. As part of the application process, please be prepared to answer a brief essay question (1,000 characters or less) in which you describe some ways you might help Xerces collaborate with diverse audiences or historically excluded communities in this role.

Xerces is happy to provide accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org.

JOIN US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world's most important animals. We are seeking a plant or pollinator ecologist to collaborate with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service National Plant Data Team, researchers, and other partners to develop a database of plant-pollinator interactions.

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping a wide variety of land managers – from farms to rights-of-ways to public agencies – develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, ranches, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

The Plant-Pollinator Data Specialist, in collaboration with the NRCS National Plant Data Team, will lead an effort to update existing and create new plant-pollinator data sets and integrate them into the PLANTS Database, one of USDA's most visited websites and a resource for conservation planners, as well as researchers and the general public. The Specialist will be coordinating with ongoing efforts conducted by other federal agencies, academic researchers, as well as other entities. The compiled dataset will be available for download by the public, researchers, and government agencies.

The data specialist will also collaborate with other Xerces staff to analyze, interpret, and visualize existing internal data, and provide expertise on methods for monitoring and designing research projects.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Xerces Society Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist (Great Plains and Midwest Region), and in collaboration with NRCS National Plant Data Team, the Plant-Pollinator Data Specialist will:

• Manage, organize, and streamline existing datasets.
• Conduct quality control checks on existing datasets.
• Research and evaluate data sources based on project criteria.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate additional datasets into PLANTS pollinator database.
• Conduct a scoping review to retrieve relevant scientific literature.
• Extract data from scientific literature, characterize plant-pollinator species interactions extracted from the scientific literature and other documented sources, and input these into PLANTS pollinator database structure.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies that help to extract and manage data.
• Support and build upon, as needed, the existing plant-pollinator database design, adapting it to meet needs as the project progresses
• Develop and implement systems using R and SQL to streamline the process of moving large and small data sets into a master database of interactions.
• Work with the National Plant Data Team to design visuals of plant-pollinator data. Provide R or Python coding support for the design, compilation, and presentation of compelling digital data visualizations for the public-facing PLANTS website. This could include infographics, educational charts or graphs, digital user interfaces, or other website visual content.
• Coordinate with the National Plant Data Team to incorporate visualizations into the public-facing website.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with diverse set of collaborators.
• Communicate regularly with PLANTS Data Team; lead meetings, evaluate and improve workflow, and contribute to project planning.
• Support Xerces staff with data analysis and interpretation, creating graphs and other data visualizations as needed for various audiences, and contributing to publication development.
• Coordinate with local and regional staff to support the development of research or monitoring protocols and methods.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Experience managing large data sets, including historical or time-series data.
• Proficiency with database design and demonstrated experience in data management.
• Demonstrated skills in data analysis, including a strong background in statistics and experimental design.
• Ability to design visually appealing infographics, tables, charts, etc.
• Strong pollinator ecology background, including an understanding of how plant-pollinator data is collected.
• Knowledge of relevant data and emerging research data sets.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare and present summaries of database design, data, or results of analysis.
• Scripting proficiency with R and SQL.
• Proven ability to communicate technical information to a wide variety of audiences, from land managers and policy makers to other researchers and the public.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage time and diverse activities under tight deadlines, while delivering high quality results.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to develop and implement work plans independently with attention to detail.
• Exceptional attention to detail, and a proven ability to establish quality assurance and quality control processes when managing large datasets.
• Excellent computer skills, with high proficiency of Microsoft Excel data queries, sorting, concatenation and spread sheet management. Additionally, strong familiarity with the following programs: MS Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to take initiative in identifying problems and designing novel solutions.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Experience with data use ethics, managing data privacy and information security.

PREFERRED

• Direct experience with plant-pollinator data sets and pollinator research.
• Conservation entomology background and/or understanding of conservation biology issues and taxonomy.
• Familiarity with Darwin Core.
• Familiarity with NRCS and with the PLANTS database.
• Experience using various sampling techniques to gather data on plant-pollinator intersections in field settings.
• Understanding of quantitative and computational methods to analyze data, including the use of spatial statistics, data modeling, and analysis to identify patterns.
• Experience with Python.
• Experience in visual design and knowledge of design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, etc.).
• Cross-cultural, multicultural, and/or multilingual skills, background, or experience.
• Mentorship experience and collaborative project management skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in pollinator ecology, ecology, conservation biology, entomology, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience, or demonstrated truly equivalent knowledge and skills, working with databases and data management and analysis.
• Educational coursework in database management, R, or SQL.
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PREFERRED

• Graduate degree in pollinator ecology, entomology, ecology, conservation biology, or related field where significant data management and analysis were central to the applicant's research.
• 6 or more years of experience, or demonstrated truly equivalent knowledge and skills, working with databases and data management and analysis.
• At least 2 years of demonstrated experience teaching, mentoring or assisting others (e.g. students, colleagues or coworkers) in data management, and data analysis, and/or statistics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; thirteen paid holidays, paid time off accrued starting at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule), medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, short-term disability insurance where not provided under state law, long-term disability insurance, participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting eligibility requirements, and a flexible work environment.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website: www.xerces.org

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: xerces.org/jobs

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

MUTUAL ARBITRATION: Xerces policies require that employees accept a binding mutual arbitration agreement and process for dispute resolution as an alternative to a jury/trial process. Acceptance of the agreement is a condition of employment, and candidates are offered a position with a minimum of 72 hours to

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

PRIORITY REFERRAL OF PROTECTED VETERANS

We request priority referral of protected veterans for all openings with our organization. In order to be considered for employment, all applicants for employment with Xerces Society, apply through our Job Board. When referring or being referred as a candidate, including protected veterans, please refer them to this applicant site; xerces.org/jobs

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