The following positions are currently open at Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV).
About Playa Lakes Joint Venture
PLJV is a regional partnership of federal and state wildlife agencies, conservation groups and private industry dedicated to conserving bird habitat throughout portions of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Our mission is to conserve the playas, prairies and landscapes of the western Great Plains through partnerships for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The Joint Venture facilitates cooperation among a broad coalition of partners on the national, regional, state and local levels to fund and implement habitat conservation. We provide regional planning, value-added efficiency and implementation approaches, while our partners provide financial, technical and local expertise to develop conservation projects. In addition, PLJV supports local conservation partnerships, state agencies and other partners by developing various decision support tools, as well as providing education about how to use the tools to target and deliver the most effective habitat conservation. PLJV also works with a variety of partners to inform landowners about conservation programs and to target conservation efforts in areas that will provide the most benefit.
PLJV’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
People are essential to realizing our mission to conserve birds and wildlife across the western Great Plains. At PLJV we are committed to including all voices within our landscape in order to implement conservation work by collaborating with a wide variety of individual and community stakeholders and ensuring that our work is reflective of their values, beliefs, and ways of knowing. We commit to building more equity into our programs and services by improving our awareness and understanding of the unique perspectives of people, engaging in dialogue with communities of all backgrounds, and taking actions that support our combined interests in a meaningful way.
JOINT VENTURE COORDINATOR
PLJV is seeking a dynamic leader with the drive and entrepreneurial spirit to develop collaborative conservation programs that advance the PLJV partnership. PLJV is a regional partnership of federal and state wildlife agencies, conservation groups and private industry dedicated to conserving bird habitat throughout portions of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Our mission is to conserve the playas, prairies and landscapes of the western Great Plains through partnerships for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The Joint Venture facilitates cooperation among a broad coalition of partners on the national, regional, state and local levels. We provide regional planning, coordination, efficiency and implementation approaches that promote habitat conservation and bird population goals for the region. In addition, PLJV supports local conservation partnerships, state agencies and other partners by developing various biological and social decision support tools, communication products and messaging, as well as by providing information and guidance about how to use the tools to target and deliver the most effective habitat conservation.
The person in this position serves as the Coordinator for the PLJV partnership, and assumes principal responsibilities for initiating, facilitating, integrating, coordinating, communicating, and directing the work and activities of the partnership. Work and activities relate to several primary functional aspects of Joint Venture implementation and administration, including biological planning, conservation design, conservation delivery, research, monitoring and evaluation, social science, and communications and outreach. The Coordinator works collaboratively with the PLJV staff, Management Board, working groups, teams, and other partners to develop, initiate and link priority work assignments within these functional areas and provide the oversight and direction necessary for successful completion. The Coordinator represents the interests of PLJV and its partners in a variety of professional forums, and plays a key role in developing, maintaining and advancing a strategic, landscape oriented, partnership-driven approach to integrated migratory bird conservation in the geography of the PLJV.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Works closely with the Management Board to facilitate a fully engaged partnership that develops and executes large-scale conservation programs.
- Supports the Management Board by coordinating regular meetings, by serving as an intermediary for dialogue among Board members and agencies, and by coordinating development and implementation of priority projects, tracking accomplishments, and evaluating long-term results.
- Supervises and mentors staff directors and helps guide team leadership to achieve desired outcomes.
- Facilitates cooperation and dialogue among governmental and non-governmental entities, as well as among private citizens and landowners — dealing with a variety of perspectives and potentially conflicting interests.
- Clearly defines work assignments and priorities for staff, board, and partnership members, outlining objectives and goals to be accomplished, and timelines within which to complete them; reviews work at critical junctures/phases, suggests necessary modifications, and provides appropriate oversight.
- Identifies and assesses core competencies of programs, projects and teams.
- Stimulates technical and media support for Joint Venture activities and projects.
- Exercises patience, tact, understanding and respect in addressing and balancing a variety of perspectives and interests that influence the partnership’s direction and priorities.
- Develops and manages budgets and funding allocations related to PLJV operations. Seeks external funding through grants, partners and cooperative arrangements. Ensures that all PLJV obligations are met/exceeded.
- Acts as a public representative and spokesperson for conservation on behalf of the organization.
Desired Traits and Characteristics
- Leadership. Ability to effectively manage personnel to maximize the potential of PLJV (e.g. high emotional intelligence, fostering a positive work environment, encouraging career growth and training opportunities). Ability to plan and adapt in executing priorities.
- Vision. Ability to assess the conservation landscape and political climate to develop a strategic vision that generates maximum value for future conservation efforts. Willingness to build upon existing PLJV initiatives and programs that support this vision.
- Communication. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and in person across a broad range of organizations and agencies to convey PLJV’s mission, ongoing work, and availability to assist, and with staff to provide guidance and nurture growth as needed. Addresses conflicts with directness, kindness, and professionalism.
- Collaboration with Diverse Partnerships. Ability to capitalize on existing relationships and to develop and foster new ones within a politically, economically, and culturally diverse landscape.
- Energy. Strong work ethic and self-driven. Thrives in a partnership environment and is adept at identifying, developing, and maintaining effective advisory teams, working groups and larger partnerships.
Position Requirements
- Master’s degree in a natural resources/natural science field, or a Bachelor’s degree in another relevant discipline combined with 10+ years of relevant experience in a conservation context.
- Strong background in effective organizational development and in nurturing sustainable conservation partnerships, with more than five years of experience.
- Knowledge of theory, principles, and methods of migratory bird management and research, and their application in the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats, especially in the western High Plains.
- Knowledge of the theories and principles of landscape ecology, ecosystem management, communications, social science, and adaptive resource management, and their application to conservation planning at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
- Working knowledge of the USFWS Strategic Habitat Conservation approach and a basic understanding of a highly functioning JV as described in the Joint Venture “Matrix”.
- Direct experience leading and implementing strategic planning, as well as biological planning and landscape conservation design.
- Direct experience in supervising staff.
- Direct experience in writing successful grant proposals and cultivating donors.
- Excellent planning, management, and team building skills.
Supervisory Controls
Incumbent reports to the PLJV Management Board and is under the direct supervision of the Chairperson who manages an annual performance review and establishes annual performance objectives with the Executive Committee.
Travel Required
Travel requirements may be as much as 30% or greater to attend staff meetings, management board meetings, and other regional partnership meetings, as needed.
Salary, Benefits, and Start Date
Starting salary is commensurate with education, experience, and location with an expected range of $105,000–$136,000 per year. PLJV offers a generous benefits package, including employer-paid health coverage (medical, dental and vision), HSA with annual contribution to defray medical deductibles, and a 7% match on salary toward our retirement plan. We anticipate this position will begin working mid-July or early August.
Job Location
The job location can be anywhere in the PLJV region that supports the corporate charter requirements and facilitates ease of travel to meet with regional partners.
To Apply
Playa Lakes Joint Venture is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks a diverse applicant pool. Please email your application documents as one complete PDF file to jobs@pljv.org. All applications should include a resume or CV, a cover letter (three pages max), three professional references, and any relevant authored materials, as appropriate. In the cover letter, please include salary requirements and desired location. The deadline for all applications is 5:00PM MST on May 10.
This job description may evolve over time, and is subject to periodic updating. The Coordinator may be assigned different and/or additional duties or responsibilities at the discretion of the Management Board.
NEW MEXICO WETLANDS RESTORATION SPECIALIST
The role of the New Mexico Wetlands Restoration Specialist is to conduct outreach to landowners and managers on the benefits of playas and other wetlands, and facilitate wetlands restoration work in eastern New Mexico. Primary funding will come from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), with additional non-federal funding from private sources. This position focuses on the New Mexico portion of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) region.
The position requires coordination among private, local, state, and federal agencies, and as such, the incumbent needs to be a team leader as well as team participant. Day-to-day work consists of working with landowners, PLJV staff from various disciplines (conservation delivery, GIS, biological science, communications, and social science) and local, state, and regional partners to accomplish bird habitat conservation. The eastern NM Wetlands Restoration Specialist work will be instrumental in developing municipal water and aquifer conservation strategies.
Major Duties
- Collaborate and work with other PLJV staff that will support this position with communications, outreach, GIS, social science, and biological science.
- Collaborate with local conservation partnerships and other partners to pursue playa conservation projects within eastern New Mexico.
- Present conservation programs and their benefits to playa owners. Identify landowners willing to restore playa lakes and associated grasslands on their property.
- Assist in identifying and prioritizing restoration sites, and contracting for restoration.
- Coordinate on final site selection, including conducting site visits, as necessary.
- Develop playa lake and grassland restoration prescriptions and associated project budgets.
- Design and implement wetland and associated grassland restoration projects.
- Document project work during implementation and closeout.
- Maintain close communication with partners
- Identify people, organizations and contractors to implement restoration activities, help maintain landowner files.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Ability to build and establish relationships with private, municipal, state and federal landowners and managers.
- Demonstrated track record of working with producers, both farmers and ranchers.
- High level skills in oral and written communication and the ability to communicate with both technical, management, and lay audiences.
- Ability to be a self-starter and a team player.
- Ability to travel to attend state and local partner meetings.
Additional Desired Qualifications
- Working knowledge of the Farm Bill and the various programs within FSA and NRCS may be used for wetland conservation.
- Understand the wetland and grassland conservation networks in New Mexico.
- Current knowledge of (or the ability to learn quickly) the functions and values of wetlands and grasslands, within eastern New Mexico.
- Experience with wetland restoration projects.
Other Requirements
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
- This position may need to conduct off-site meetings and evaluations that may include traversing wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces in hot, cold, dry, or humid environments.
Travel Required
This position requires substantial workday travel within eastern New Mexico to meet with landowners and partners. Travel requirements may be greater than 50%, although nights away from home may be less than 10%. Travel reimbursements provided.
Supervisor
The position reports directly to and is evaluated by the PLJV Conservation Delivery Manager, in conjunction with NMDGF. Job performance is reviewed in the context of responsiveness to objectives and priorities as determined by the Conservation Delivery Manager, and based on input from the Management Board and partners. Annual work plans for the position will be developed by the position incumbent in consultation with the supervisor and NMDGF. Beyond a work plan, the incumbent is largely self-directed in accomplishing objectives.
Salary, Benefits, and Start Date
This is a full-time position. Starting salary is commensurate with education, experience, and location with an expected range of $65,000-$75,000. PLJV offers a generous benefits package, including employer-paid health coverage (medical, dental, and vision), HSA with annual contributions to defray medical deductibles, and a 7% match on salary toward our retirement plan. We anticipate this position will begin working no later than June 1, 2024.
Job Location
The job will be located in an area that facilitates ease of travel within central-eastern New Mexico (preferably Clovis, Roswell, or Tucumcari). Priority will be given to candidates currently living or willing to live in this area.
To Apply
Playa Lakes Joint Venture is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse applicant pool. All applications should include a a one-page cover letter, resume, and three professional references. Please email your application documents as one complete PDF file to jobs@pljv.org. In the cover letter, please include salary requirements, available start date and desired location. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; evaluations will begin on March 22.
BOTANY FIELD TECHNICIANS
Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) is hiring two field technicians to collect pre-treatment vegetation data using the GEM (Grassland Effectiveness Monitoring) protocol in the Mescalero Sands region of southeast New Mexico. Large-scale efforts to restore habitat for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken and other grassland bird species have resulted in many treatments to combat woody encroachment of Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) in the region. This monitoring will help the Bureau of Land Management’s Mescalero Sands Prairie Restoration Project understand the effectiveness of its treatments to decrease woody plant cover and increase grass cover. Technicians will become familiar with the unique shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) dominated plant communities that define this critical habitat. Learn more about the project.
Minimum Requirements
- Prior plant ID experience and know how to use a dichotomous key
- Flexible to unexpected changes in plans due to weather or other forces
- Able to withstand working outside in hot, dry, and rapidly changing environments
- Able to navigate in remote areas with limited cell service
- Able to follow a written protocol and collect measurements diligently
- Able to work well in pairs with minimal field supervision
Additional Desired Qualifications
- Previous vegetation monitoring experience
- Experience collecting data in remote areas
- Experience with Survey123 and Field Maps
- Familiar with southeastern New Mexico grasses and other plants
- Have a 4WD vehicle to be used for traveling to sampling locations (will be reimbursed for mileage, see details below)
Other Requirements
- Technicians will be expected to work up to 10 hours per day in the elements of the Chihuahuan Desert and should be able to hike up to 6 miles a day.
- Regular crouching, bending, and occasional lifting will be required.
Skills
Selected technicians will develop the following skills:
- Proficiency in the GEM protocol, which uses sampling methods such as Line Point Intercept, Canopy Gap, and Ocular Cover
- Proficiency with Survey 123 and Field Maps
- Navigating in remote areas in challenging terrain
- Adapting to the unexpected challenges of working in the field
Compensation and Start Date
Technicians will be paid $25/hr and receive reimbursement for lodging, food, and mileage at the U.S.Federal GSA standard rate for New Mexico. Technicians will be paid on contract and will be expected to know how to manage taxes and other legal financial obligations for contract work. Expected start date is May 13, and sampling will occur until completed. The season will last no more than six weeks but may end sooner.
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, and three references as a single pdf to alex.nelson@pljv.org and put “Botany Technician Application” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.