Now Hiring

Community Science Coordinator

Do you want to improve the quality of life for wildlife and humans in Western North Carolina? Are you an unabashed nature nerd for the plants, animals, and other branches of life in the eastern deciduous forest? Are you so enthusiastic about nature that your friends and family give you a lovingly hard time about it? Do you quietly not care because secretly you are turning them into nature nerds too? Fan of data and science-based decision-making in natural resource management? We might have the job for you.

Balsam Mountain Trust is hiring a Community Science Coordinator. The ideal candidate will have experience with field research in the Appalachians, while also being committed to developing unique and engaging ways to get folks involved in conservation science and management. You will:

• • • • Act as coordinator for research and monitoring efforts on the Balsam Mountain Preserve (i.e., coordinate with external researchers, agencies, and contractors), 
      • Conduct Trust led monitoring, research, and resource management efforts,  
      • Identify and implement ways in which to engage residents of the Preserve in the conservation of the Preserve lands and beyond, 
      • Develop partnerships with similar organizations to extend impact,
      • Research, recommend, and (where appropriate/approved) execute best management practices for the Preserve and beyond,
      • Communicate with internal and external stakeholders about Trust conservation activities via formal and informal science communication,
      • Coordinate and implement the development of interpretive materials centered around the Trust’s mission (i.e., trail signage, pocket guides, etc.), 
      • Be a strong naturalist, familiar with the regional flora and fauna, allowing you to lead regular outdoor and indoor activities centered around the mission of the Trust,  
      • Coordinate recruitment and training of volunteers and interns for research and outreach activities, 

The Trust is located in the heart of Balsam Mountain Preserve, a private preserve with low density housing and over 3,400 acres of permanently conserved lands.  Ranging in elevation from 2700 to 5300 feet, the Preserve sits on the northern edge of the Great Balsam Mountains. Home to a variety of forest types, sparkling trout streams, and rare plants, the Preserve is an ideal natural laboratory for exploring how humans and wildlife can best coexist in the Southern Appalachians.

You’ll be part of a small but mighty staff of people passionate about the plants and critters of our region, who are keen on fostering that passion among the non-science folks you’ll find on the Preserve and beyond. We are looking for someone who is eager to help their fellow team members, and isn’t scared to ask for help when they need it. We are serious about what we do, but we like to have fun doing it!

Qualifications

Applicant should have a background in ecology, wildlife, botany, natural resources, volunteer management, GIS or other natural resource sciences; as well as be proficient with Microsoft Office applications. Good organizational skills, good written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work with autonomy are required.

An ideal candidate will have:

• Knowledge of wildlife and vegetation known to inhabit Western North Carolina and experience with wildlife and/or vegetation sampling techniques.
• Experience working with, managing, and training volunteers. Experience working with non-profit boards is a plus.
• Experience with citizen science.
• A degree in botany, zoology, wildlife sciences, etc., or equivalent and demonstrable life experience.
• Strong work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Ability to communicate information clearly and concisely, develop reports and present information both orally and in writing.
• Willingness to regularly work at least one day of the weekend, and periodic odd hours.
• Must have (or obtain) a North Carolina Driver’s license.

This is a year-round 40 hour per week position. It is an entry to midpoint level coordinator position in which we expect to offer starting compensation of $16.50 to $19.25 per hour, depending on experience. It will provide a great entrance into the working worlds of conservation biology, land management, citizen science, and the day-to-day operations of a small nature center. 

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume/CV as attachments to Michael Wall (mwall@bmtrust.org).  Your cover letter should describe your interest in the position and describe demonstrable experience relevant to the job as described above. We’ll start considering applications on April 11th and hope to have someone started in June.