​Conservation Planner

Position:
 
Conservation Planner

Closing Date:
 
November 8, 2013. Application materials will be reviewed and initial responses will be made by November 22. The position starts on or around January 1, 2014 or when all Personnel Actions documents are completed.

Location:
 
Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Nature of Work and Duties:
The Conservation Planner will guide and manage
the revision of CNMI's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which identifies
species of conservation concern, articulates the perspectives and
priorities of constituents, and guides research and management of wildlife
and marine resources. The Conservation Planner will collaborate with
internal and external partners at the state, regional and national level,
be familiar with and implement the industry's best practices, develop
conservation priorities, and revise the SWAP in collaboration with and
under the guidance of resource managers in CNMI's Division of Fish &
Wildlife.

The Conservation Planner will review all of CNMI DFW's research- and
management-related activities. The Conservation Planner will represent the
interests of CNMI's Division of Fish & Wildlife and its constituents. The
position reports directly to the Director of Fish & Wildlife on Saipan.

Specific duties of the Conservation Planner will include:

. Develop a list of criteria for identifying species of greatest
conservation need
. Review, compile, and summarize data and publications
. Solicit and summarize perspective on conservation needs, priorities, and
concerns
. Generate and discuss a formative and comprehensive report
. Make recommendations for and outline the writing of the 2015 SWAP
. Hold a quarterly meeting with resource managers
. Provide quarterly status update
. Draft and finalize the CNMI SWAP

Qualifications:
 
Candidates will minimally have a Bachelor's degree in
wildlife conservation, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource
planning, or a related field; three years of professional experience in
planning or biological or natural resource fields; experience with at
least one significant planning initiative; an understanding of species,
habitats, cultures, socioeconomic conditions, and conservation challenges
that characterize the region; an understanding of complex ecological
processes (biodiversity, climate change, geology, hydrology and human-
environment interactions) that influence species and habitat distribution
and persistence; experience in team-building, group process facilitation
techniques, and meeting design; advanced writing and organization skills;
advanced communication skills sufficient to present information to lead
discussions about specific aspects of planning; ability to search, read,
and synthesize findings of scientific research and technical documents;
have working knowledge and ability to use GIS; ability to organize and
lead diverse groups of stakeholders.

Preferred Candidates will have an advanced degree a related field and have
significant work experience; advanced knowledge of both terrestrial and
marine ecology; advanced statistical expertise; natural resource
management experience; experience with geographic information systems and
databases; extensive experience in developing and producing professional
and/or technical reports.

Eligibility and Appointment:
 
Only United States Citizens or legal U.S.
residents can be considered for this position. This is a one year term
appointment (expiring on September 30, 2014) renewable upon availability
of funding. Salary is $38,000 or commensurate with experience. Travel and
relocation expenses will be paid based on approved rate.

Contact:
 
To apply, e-mail a letter of intent, CV or resume, unofficial
transcript, and contact information for three references to:

Russell Benford, PhD
Supervisory Wildlife Biologist
CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife
Saipan, MP 96950