POWDER BASIN WATERSHED COUNCIL

Sage-grouse Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) Coordinator

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Introduction

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This position is part of a collaborative effort among the Powder Basin

Watershed Council  (PBWC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and

private landowners to promote working land  conservation and restore

sage-grouse habitat and populations in Baker and Union Counties,

Oregon. The successful candidate will work with landowners to enroll

private properties in the Greater Sage-grouse Programmatic Candidate

Conservation Agreement with Assurances for Private Rangelands (CCAA)

in Oregon’s Baker and Union Counties. The position collaborates  with

landowners and other conservation partners to create site specific plans

(SSPs) with  appropriate conservation measures to reduce threats to

sage-grouse on private lands. The position  will work to secure grant

funding to help amplify the Baker/Union County CCAA efforts. This

appointment serves as an integral member of the Baker Sage-Grouse Local Implementation Team (LIT), which secured multi-year funding through the Oregon Watershed Enhancement  Board (OWEB) Focused Investment Partnership (FIP). The position serves as a liaison between  federal, state, and local government programs, private landowners and NGO partners that have  funding and expertise to address threats to sage-grouse and sage-grouse habitat and sagebrush-bunchgrass ecosystems.

 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

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Duties assigned to this position include, but are not limited to the following:

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1. Promote enrollment of private lands in the CCAA program through a combination of  one-on-one meetings, presentations, tours, social media, media releases, participation in  community events and other outreach activities. Coordinate outreach activities with  partner agencies to maximize impact.

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2. Develop voluntary conservation agreements and SSPs with landowners to improve or  maintain ecosystem function on private lands. This includes baseline inventory of  rangelands using standardized tablet-based data collection, ArcGIS mapping, and written  documents that identify conservation measures to maintain and promote sage-grouse  habitat and align with the Comprehensive Sage Grouse Threat Reduction Plan for the  Baker Priority Area for Conservation.

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3. Assist landowners in the implementation of identified voluntary conservation measures  by serving as a liaison between landowners and local partners with expertise and/or  funding. As needed, serve as a project manager to implement the SSP - conservation  measure implementation.

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4. Conduct annual monitoring and provide written reporting to PBWC, CCAA Advisory  Board, FWS and others as necessary.

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5. If applicable, supervise assigned seasonal support staff; coordinate and review work;  ensure work follows appropriate guidelines.

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6. Collaborate with the LIT, FIP and other partners to develop and deliver educational  outreach and/or training for the general public (landowners, youth groups, community  organizations, etc.) on identified topics (e.g. sagebrush wildlife obligates and habitat;  rangeland management practices, and funding opportunities - Farm Bill Programs  (NRCS), Partners for Fish and Wildlife (FWS), and OWEB FIP, etc.).

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7. Foster collaboration and strong working relationships among federal and state natural  resource agencies, counties, landowners, NGOs and related partners to maintain healthy  working rangelands and wildlife habitat.

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8. Attend trainings, conferences, seminars, statewide meetings, etc. at the recommendation  of the position’s supervisor in order to stay current on new practices, laws, programs, and  other items of interest that may be beneficial to implementation of the CCAA program.

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KNOWLEDGE, and SKILLS REQUIRED BY THIS POSITION

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KNOWLEDGE: Must have thorough knowledge of natural resource practices, wildlife  management, and sagebrush-bunch grass ecosystem function including the habitat needs of fish  and wildlife and how to integrate wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture practices. Must  have understanding and appreciation of landowner/working land, rural ranch community, and  sagebrush conservation issues is critical to success in this position. Must have knowledge of the  local area or similar areas (Great Basin ecosystems) based on experience in other regions.

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SKILL: Must have experience in the collection and interpretation of field data on rangelands,  including vegetation data, land-use history and remotely-sensed data. Must have skill in the  operation of office equipment, office programs experience, electronic (tablet-based) data  collection, and mapping technologies including Microsoft Word and Excel, and ArcMap (GIS).  Must have thorough knowledge of office equipment and business practices including excellent  oral and written communication. Must have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in  oral and written forms with landowners, partner agencies and other entities. Must be organized  and detail-oriented; prioritize and make decisions independently using initiative and good  judgement in timely completing tasks and responsibilities. Must be able to work independently  with minimal supervision and with diverse clientele.

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EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

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Must have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rangeland Science, Wildlife Management, Ecosystem  Management or closely-related natural resources field, OR an equivalent combination of experience and training in science. Must have experience working with diverse stakeholders to  address natural resource management issues.

At time of appointment, must have a valid Oregon driver’s license and should be willing to obtain  an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Education Card for on-the-job use of quads (Class 1 ATVs)  provided through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

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SUPERVISORY CONTROLS OVER THIS POSITION

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This position serves under the supervision of the Executive Director of PBWC. The employee  works independently and as part of a larger team, consulting with partners and supervisor for  professional advice and providing updates to supervisor, PBWC Board of Directors and the  CCAA Advisory Board.

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GUIDELINES

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Work is performed within established organizational policy and procedures; federal, state and  county statutes, rules and regulations. Must be able to work within the guidelines of the grant  requirements.

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

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This position requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the days and number of hours  worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, and does not exceed forty (40) hours in a  workweek. Work exceeding 40 hours per week requires prior approval by the supervisor. Work  will be conducted in an office environment and outdoors in all weather conditions. Must be able  to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material  weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to communicate verbally, hear voice conversation and sit  for extended periods.

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COMPENSATION AND DURATION

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This position is a non-exempt, full-time position with funding secured through at least December  30, 2026. Salary for this position ranges from $27-32/ hour and includes eight hours per month of  sick and vacation leave each, up to 3% matching employer contributions to a retirement account,  a healthcare stipend of $500 per month and eleven paid holidays per year. Annual automatic cost  of living salary raises based on the federal calculation and annual raises or bonuses based on job  performance may be available. The position requires the use of a personal vehicle, with expenses  for work-related travel reimbursed at the state-approved rate ($.655/mile for 2023).

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HOW TO APPLY

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Closing date: December 6, 2023, 5:00 p.m. PST

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Interview dates: December 4-8, 2023

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To apply: Email your resume, contact information for three references (with at least one  reference a recent supervisor), college transcripts and a one to two page cover letter highlighting  the education and experience you will bring to the position to Tim Bailey at  pbwced@qwestoffice.net by 5:00 p.m. PST, December 6, 2023.

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Interview process: Candidates can expect a panel interview via Zoom Meeting. There will be a  writing assignment at the end of the oral interview so candidates will need appropriate software and access to email.

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For more information: Please contact Tim Bailey at (541) 523-7288 or  pbwced@qwestoffice.net.