Plant Ecologist - Habitat Restoration Manager

Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 annually

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to:     Director(s) of Conservation

Supervises:    Rare Plant Specialist, Biosecurity Specialist, conservation greenhouse management staff, Conservation Technicians (I, II, III), field crews, interns, volunteers, and contractors.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Plant Ecologist/Habitat Restoration Manager is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Pūlama Lāna‘i Conservation Department’s Plant Conservation Program. Areas of emphasis include habitat restoration strategies and plans, management and enhancement of endemic and indigenous plant communities; invasive vegetation management, including incipient invasive species and weed control; recovery of state and federally-listed threatened and endangered (T&E) species, as well as common but rare-on-island varieties; technical representation on behalf of Pūlama Lāna‘i for plant-related concerns; and advancing the various departmental objectives related to plants and habitats on Lāna‘i.

In consultation with Conservation Department leadership, the Plant Ecologist/Habitat Restoration Manager is responsible for planning, development, prioritization, implementation, and management of habitat restoration and plant conservation programs on Lāna‘i. The Plant Ecologist/Habitat Restoration Manager supervises staff, prepares plans, resource needs and operating budgets, determines programs priorities, conducts on-the-ground field work, prepares grant proposals, and develops policies and procedures for the Department’s Plant Conservation Program. The Plant Ecologist/Habitat Restoration Manager is also responsible for building and enhancing community, partner, and constituency group relationships, including, but not limited to, nursery; horticulture and agriculture groups; County, State, and Federal agencies; non-governmental organizations; community organizations; and other relevant associations. The position also handles sensitive information and performs administrative duties associated with habitat and plant conservation concerns, including compliance with regulatory and permit conditions.

With guidance and direction from the Department’s co-Directors, the position works on a full range of professional assignments; directs the work of professional and non-professional conservation workers and technicians; and performs other duties as required. 

• Conduct individual and business affairs in highest ethical and legal fashion.
• Establish and contribute to a supportive, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Build strong communication links with supervisors, peers, and employees.
• Continuously strive for excellence in the workplace, the Company environment, and as a Company representative.
• Comply with all Company policies and standards.
• Conducts business in alignment with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Pūlama Lāna‘i.

• Lead planning, development, prioritization, implementation, and management of habitat restoration and plant conservation programs on Lāna‘i 
• Lead development of strategies and plans for habitat restoration and plant conservation programs across the island.
• Lead habitat restoration and plant conservation programs, including surveys and monitoring for native and non-native plant communities with particular attention to rare, threatened, and endangered species, and incipient invasive species.
• Oversee rare plant program, including surveying, monitoring, seed and propagule collection, propagation, and outplanting work.
• Oversee invasive plant management strategy, including weed control in various priority enclosures, and attempted eradication of incipient invasive species. 
• Oversee conservation nursery and propagation activities, including seed collection and storage, timing of propagation, plant maintenance, outplanting, and monitoring.
• Oversee fieldwork in support of plant resource management and invasive species control efforts, especially around priority wildlife areas and native plant communities.
• Coordinate with partner agencies and organizations on aspects of the Plant Conservation Program as appropriate, such as rare plant recovery and invasive species management priorities, various propagation techniques, pesticide and invasive species control treatments, best practices, and data consistency.
• Communicates and coordinates within Conservation and other departments, external partners, stakeholders, and community members about plant conservation, habitat restoration, rare plant recovery, invasive species management, and other aspects of plant conservation. 
• Write internal and external reports, grant proposals, outreach materials, and sections of compliance documents.
• Manage consistent and accurate records and data for reporting and project tracking, integrating with department database.
• Create and manage spatial data and maps.
• Conduct outreach, education, and trainings for internal and external audiences about plant conservation issues.
• Maintain appropriate permits for monitoring, seed collection and storage (or transfer), propagation, and outplanting, including keeping consistent and accurate records, data management, and writing and submitting permit reports.
• Participate in the Hawai‘i Rare Plant Restoration Group (HRPRG), and other working groups and organizations as appropriate. 
• Supervises staff in the Plant Conservation Program, as well as interns, volunteers, and contractors; provides oversight for visiting researchers and grantees.
• Support biosecurity inspection and quarantine program, including assistance with inspection, treatment, and pest identification when necessary.
• Assist with evaluation of projects for their effect on plant resources and makes recommendations for future developments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully as a productive team member with people of diverse cultures, ages, and educational backgrounds. 
• Strong interest in natural resource management.
• Strong safety ethic.
• Able to effectively, efficiently, and safely execute instructions and direction.

Basic Job-Specific Required Experience and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, plant conservation, biology, environmental science, habitat restoration, or a similar field with a strong background in native Hawaiian flora, and at least 3 years of work experience in Natural Resource management. 
• Strong leadership, team building, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience with Hawaii’s flora, fauna, natural resources, and culture.
• Knowledge of botanical surveying and monitoring techniques, including weed assessments.
• Knowledge of Hawaiian native flora, fauna, resource issues, and related field methods. 
• Able to identify key plant species and determine appropriate management and recovery actions. 
• Ability to accurately record data in the field and enter and manage information in spreadsheets and databases.
• Able to manage a nursery facility and assist with seed storage and propagation of common and rare native plant species.  
• Able to work collaboratively and cooperatively with a wide range of agencies and constituencies.
• Able to strategize and make effective decisions quickly.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude and work under pressure.
• Able to participate in key emergency management roles for Pūlama Lāna‘i. 
• Able to reside full-time on Lāna`i. 
• Able to work irregular hours and serve on-call to assist in other program areas. 
• Able to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles.
• Able to fly in and work around helicopters.
• Able to operate weed-eaters and chainsaws.
• Able to use computers, GPS, tablets, and other electronic devices. Proficient in Microsoft Office, and able to learn in-house database systems. 

Preferred:

• Graduate degree in natural resources, plant conservation, biology, environmental science, habitat restoration, or a similar field, with substantial coursework in Natural Resources management.
• Specific knowledge of and experience conserving Hawai‘i’s rare, common, and non-native plants including taxonomy, ecology, and conservation requirements. 
• Firsthand knowledge of and experience with Lāna‘i natural resources and community.     
• Experience leading field and/or greenhouse crews in Hawaii in plant and habitat restoration work.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS mapping and data management.

• Valid Driver’s License and successful review of Motor Vehicle Record.
• Ability to obtain Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross First Aid certification.
• Ability to obtain applicable herbicide and/or pesticide treatment licenses or certification.
• Ability to successfully complete ATV and UTV trainings.
• Ability to successfully complete helicopter safety training. 

Physical Requirements:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.