Search: Research job/volunteer opps, Natural Sciences

National Parks Conservation Association

Center for State of the Parks – Fort Collins, CO

Center for State of the Parks (CSOTP) was launched by National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) to provide an objective and credible assessment of the condition of natural and cultural resources in the National Park System and recommend actions needed to improve resource protection. The Natural Resources Manager’s primary task will be to take the lead on natural resource condition assessments of National Park Service (NPS) units for CSOTP. These assessments are based on available data through NPS, universities, USGS, and NOAA, as well as other agencies and stakeholders. Activities associated with these assessments include: 1) coordinating with NPS staff and conducting workshops at NPS units chosen to undergo the assessment process; 2) selection and training of researchers (including deciding on the use of in-house staff); 3) supervision of the collection of data on park natural resource conditions and the preparation of natural resource technical reports; 4) review and critique of natural resource technical reports for quality control and final assignment of appropriate assessment ratings; 4) review of the final public park report and related documents; 5) working with others to disseminate findings of the park reports to secure improvements in park stewardship; 6) modification of assessment and ratings protocols as necessary and; 7) supervision of archiving of supporting resource data. The Natural Resources Manager may act as researcher for select parks (estimated at two or fewer annually). The Natural Resources Manager is also responsible for the supervision and review of data collection and technical reports for select synthesis projects focusing on natural resource issues of concern to NPCA.

The successful implementation of responsibilities for this position will require identification of appropriate consultant partners (university or professional), supervision of researchers (university, professional, or in-house staff) during the collection of required data, assistance with writing/editing assessment reports and calculating ratings, maintenance of a scientifically credible ratings system to evaluate park natural resource indicators, securing scholarly review of methodologies and analyses, working with the program’s Advisory Council and various NPCA departments and program partners in a team approach to produce and disseminate program findings, and connection with key constituents to improve natural resource stewardship in the parks. The Manager will be expected to also work and interact effectively with NPS, scientists, university and national conservation partners, and with regional park and scientific organizations. The candidate must possess the ability to balance high quality and accelerated productivity with day-to-day tasks associated with project management and other duties. The candidate will supervise one Natural Resources Coordinator and one Natural Resources intern. The successful implementation of responsibilities for this position will require the ability to work closely with other Natural Resources Program staff as well as CSOTP Cultural Resources Program and Publications Program staff.

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time Staff Scientist to
work on biodiversity protection issues in and affecting Alaska and the
Arctic. The Center is a national non-profit organization dedicated to
protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy,
education, and environmental law.

Particular emphasis of the Staff Scientist position will be advocating for
the protection of vulnerable Arctic and sub-Arctic species such as seabirds,
polar bears and other ice-dependent marine mammals in the face of global
warming, offshore oil and gas development, industrial fishing, shipping and
other emerging threats. The Staff Scientist will work closely with the
Center's climate and oceans programs in developing and implementing actions
and strategies focused on both reducing the Arctic melt and on adapting
wildlife management to the changing conditions of a warming Arctic.

Requirements for the position include an advanced degree in a relevant
scientific field, excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, a
demonstrated commitment to environmental protection, an ability to work with
lawyers and other staff members as part of an effective team, and a strong
work ethic. Familiarity with natural resource management and wildlife law
desired.

The Staff Scientist will be responsible for engaging in policy advocacy,
interacting with local, state, and federal agencies, scientists, other
environmental organizations and the public, drafting reports, comments,
petitions and webtext, and doing media outreach. Frequent travel required.

Salary for the Staff Scientist position is commensurate with other
non-profit organizations and includes an excellent vacation and benefits
package.

Location for the Staff Scientist position is Anchorage, Alaska.

Please send a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample via email
(no paper) to alaska@biologicaldiversity.org "Attn: Staff Scientist".
Position open until filled. No telephone calls please. Only candidates
selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time Staff Scientist to
work as part of our Public Lands Program. The Center is a national
non-profit organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild
places through science, policy, education, and environmental law. The
Center’s Public Lands Program works to ensure that America’s public lands
are protected, restored, and managed for the maximum benefit to our nation’s
wildlife and ecosystems.

The Staff Scientist will play a leading role in developing the Center’s
approach to managing public lands in a changing climate. The position is
focused on ensuring that public lands are managed to optimize carbon storage
and biodiversity protection and will involve scientific analyses, public
policy advocacy, and education and outreach.

Responsibilities:

* Conduct rigorous scientific analyses on public land management and
climate change, including: 1) identifying opportunities to increase carbon
storage and reduce emissions by improving public land management; 2)
analyzing options to help species survive a changing climate through better
land management; and 3) documenting the connection between biodiversity
protection and carbon storage.
* Develop policy recommendations for managing public lands to optimize
carbon storage and biodiversity protection;
* Produce scientific and policy reports that highlight the Center’s
positions regarding public land management;
* Undertake outreach to selected constituent groups to build support
for improved management of public lands;
* Conduct policy advocacy within Congress, the California State
Legislature, and state and federal land management and regulatory agencies;
and
* Conduct public education and media outreach.

Desired qualifications:

* Ability to develop and implement rigorous analyses on the
implications for carbon and biodiversity of federal land management;
* Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills;
* Familiarity with federal land-use laws and climate change science
and politics;
* Experience in designing and implementing efforts to reform federal
land management;
* PhD or equivalent experience; and
* Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.

Salary commensurate with experience and competitive with other non-profit
organizations. Position includes an excellent vacation and benefits
package. Located in Sacramento or San Francisco.

Please send a cover letter, résumé, references, and writing sample via email
to publiclandsscientist@biologicaldiversity.org. Only candidates selected
for an interview will be contacted. Position open until filled.

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time Climate Program
Associate to work as part of our Climate Program. The Center is a national
non-profit organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild
places through science, policy, education, and environmental law.

The Center's Climate Program works to protect endangered species and
ecosystems by reducing greenhouse gas pollution and improving management for
species most threatened by the climate crisis. The program has initiated a
number of cases to enforce existing state and federal laws that already
address global warming, as well as implementing administrative projects to
protect species most at risk, including petitions to list species such as
the polar bear, penguins, and reef-building corals under the Endangered
Species Act due to global warming.

The Climate Program Associate will be responsible for providing
administrative and program support to the Climate Program Director, as well
as drafting a wide range of climate related communications and interacting
with the media, local, state, and federal agencies, other environmental
organizations and the public. Some travel required.

Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Stanford University’s biological field station, is pleased to announce a new fellowship program to support a visiting scholar, focused on the emerging science of restoration ecology. Pervasive impacts of human actions now affect all parts of the Earth, degrading its ability to provide critical goods and services. These impacts underscore theneed for science-based approaches to sustaining or restoring ecosystems. Increasingly, the scientific challenges faced by ecologists extend beyond understanding the basic mechanisms that control the responses of unmanaged ecosystems. The fundamental science of ecology must develop the foundations to support thoughtful, sophisticated, and effective interventions, operating at a range of different scales. To support this development, the Jasper Ridge restoration fellowship will support visits, up to a year in length, by researchersranging in seniority from post-docs to senior faculty. Applications will be assessed based on an individual’s past accomplishments and on potential to take advantage of the ecosystems and past research at Jasper Ridge, as well as the intellectual community at Stanford. Field-based research at Jasper Ridge, collaborations with Stanford faculty, and an interest in interacting with students will all be assets.

The Daane Lab (at U.C. Berkeley's ESPM Department) is seeking a Cal student
to work as a lab helper for summer 2008. This position will assist with two
projects studying insects in agricultural systems. The first project is
designed to identify plants that can provide habitat for beneficial insects
in lettuce fields. The second project is studying interactions among ants,
mealybugs, and other insects in vineyards.

There will be approximately 2-3 days/week of field work, to consist of
collecting plant material into plastic bags, inspecting plants and counting
insects, and setting up experiments. There will be approximately 2-3
days/week of lab work, which will include washing insects off plant material
for counting, maintaining lab insects, and using a microscope to sort and
count the bugs we collect from the field. Applicants should be interested in
ecology and insects, willing to work outside in hot or cool weather, and
attentive to details.

This job is open only to current U.C. Berkeley students, is not compatible
with summer school, and we require that you have a driver's license. The job
is based in Berkeley, with frequent day-long trips to field sites near
Hollister (lettuce) and Napa (vineyards). Students interested in this job
shoud explore the Daane Lab website, check the
posting on the CalJobs
website (CalJobs ID# 732460), and send an email with their current resume to
the address below.

If you are interested you should let me know immediately and send me your
current resume as soon as possible.

Direct email to Erik Nelson at ehnelson@nature.berkeley.edu.

Daane Lab phone: 510.643.4019
http://daane.uckac.edu/

The Initiative for Green Science Policy is a newly-formed global coalition of
scientists, physicians and NGOs coming together to stop the use of toxic chemicals
in consumer products; encourage a move to less hazardous chemicals and technologies;
and support chemical policy reform. The Initiative for Green Science Policy is
working with the Friends of the Earth's Safe Kids Campaign. This campaign works to
protect kids as well as the public from toxic chemicals in consumer products.

Intern Position Description:
This intern position will involve both research and administrative work, including
data base updates and maintenance, as well as media and public education outreach
efforts. We work on the state, federal and international levels to limit the use of
potentially toxic fire retardants, while promoting green chemistry and a safer
policy approach to chemical use,

We are specifically focusing on stopping standards, regulations and legislation that
would increase the use of these chemicals until a fire safety rationale has been
proved and the chemicals have been shown safe for health and the environment. We
will also be working for the passage of a California state bill, AB706, to phase out
the use of these chemicals in some consumer products.

As an intern, you will protect public and environmental health by helping to remove
toxic chemicals from a range of consumer products while learning valuable research,
communication, and outreach skills.

Intern Duties:
* Research toxic chemicals, their usage, health, and environmental impacts
* Track and record contact information on NGOs, scientists, and physicians working
on toxics in Europe and internationally in our global data base
* Public education and media outreach
* Produce and coordinate production of materials, including educational printed
materials and public relations materials
* Keep Green Science Policy website up to date by the timely editing of existing
content and posting new content
* Update fact sheets and materials for the campaign
* Engage in general campaign support and organization, to be determined as needs arise

Desired Qualifications and Experience:
Interns are selected based on their education, skills, and experience. We especially
seek interns who have good interpersonal, organizational, computer database,
research, writing, and editing skills. We are also looking for a highly motivated,
quick learner who is willing to take initiative and work independently. A science
and/or database background is a plus.

* Excellent computer and organizational skills
* Verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate
mission and programs to a wide range of audiences and through various mediums
* Experience in marketing, office management and campaigns preferred
* Ability to work an effective manner in a small, busy office
* Enthusiastic, organized, and self-motivated with a sense of humor
* Passion for the environmental and/or health work
* Resourceful problem-solver
* Experience with MS Office Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and Access preferred

Compensation:
Intern will initially make $10/hour.

Application instructions:
Email with "Internship Application" in the subject line. Please send a resume and
cover letter explaining experience and interest in the position to
arlene@arleneblum.com. Include the date when you can start the position.

The Union of Concerned Scientists seeks an efficient, organized and energetic
individual to provide a broad range of administrative support for the programs in
our California office.

This is an opportunity for the right individual to contribute skills and talents to
a high quality, mission driven team. The Union of Concerned Scientists is the
leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world.
UCS was founded in 1969 and currently has a membership and activist base of over
100,000, a staff of over 125, and offices in Cambridge (MA), Washington DC, Chicago,
and Berkeley (CA). The Berkeley office focuses on clean vehicles, renewable energy,
and climate change issues.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not
limited to the information listed below.

* Outreach Manage volunteer lists for activities, book venues, and liaise with
volunteers on an as needed basis. Load action alerts and website updates.
Disseminate reports, updates, and other materials to targeted recipients.
* Research Conduct limited web, database, and library research on selected
scientific issues to support program work and funding proposals. Gather information
to support staff in responding to requests from the media, legislators, coalition
partners, and others.
* Writing and Communications: Support staff writing efforts by drafting fact
sheets, letters, and other materials, and contributing to larger research projects
conducted by CA staff.
* Administrative Support Provide general administrative and program support to
the staff of the California office. Duties will include: compiling information,
answering phones, conducting routine correspondence, distributing mail, making
travel arrangements, scheduling, copying, filing, filling in periodically for the
Office Manager, and helping staff members meet financial and time-tracking
deadlines.

Perform other duties as required.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL
The successful candidate will be someone who is organized, pays attention to
details, has a pleasant and professional phone presence, and enjoys multi-tasking.
The position requires the ability to shift priorities based on program needs as
directed by the California Office Director. In addition, the position requires
self-motivation, good interpersonal skills, familiarity with office operations,
comfort with computers and learning new software, as well as intermediate level
skills in word processing and familiarity with Excel. Applicants should have strong
administrative and organizational skills and have the ability to work independently
and as part of a team.

EXPERIENCE:
A demonstrated interest in and passion for work that serves the public interest and
the mission of UCS is preferred but not required.

A minimum of 1 year of relevant experience as a program, administrative, or research
assistant or intern, is required.
Position Details: This position is full time. UCS offers a flexible and friendly
work environment. The position offers a competitive salary depending on education
and experience, as well as excellent benefits. UCS is an equal opportunity employer
continually seeking to diversify its staff.
Email resume and cover letter to cajobs@ucsusa.org by May 9. Please use the subject "California Program Assistant" in the e-mail. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.