Full-time Agroecologist / Field Naturalist Technician
The Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program based in Columbia County New York is a branch of the non-profit Hawthorne Valley Association. The Program has been in existence since 2003 and combines creative ecological outreach with research to increase regional connection to the landscape and to promote good stewardship. We believe in doing rigorous, relevant, place-based research and sharing it back in stimulating, engaging ways.
Our agroecological work focuses on assessing and demonstrating the roles of localized and landscape-scale semi-wild habitats, both natural and created, in supporting pest control, pollination, and biodiversity conservation. Additional programmatic focal themes include regional biodiversity assessment, acoustic ecology, exploration of then/now phenology in the context of climate change, and landscape history. More on the Program is available at our website.
The Program is looking for a full-time field biologist/technician with a strong background or, at least, interest in agroecology to join our team, which currently includes a cultural anthropologist (MA), two botanists (PhD and BA), an ant biologist/field ecologist (MS), and an animal ecologist (PhD). At least 90% of this person’s time would be devoted to maintaining aspects of the agroecology work involving fieldwork, specimen processing, data analysis and report writing. We are looking for someone who could help maintain ongoing projects and assist in the development of new approaches.
Duties
- During the field season, help organize, supervise, and conduct standardized insect sampling with a small crew of people.
- Conduct other agroecological fieldwork as needed.
- Supervise and carry out the taxonomic sorting and curation of most samples collected during the field sampling
- Conduct or assist with biodiversity surveys for butterflies, odonates, bees, birds, bats, and/or other animal groups
- Basic curatorial maintenance of our insect collection
- Data entry, data analysis, and report writing
- Help interview, select, and supervise summer interns
- Assist with the creation of our annual appeal material and other fundraising efforts
- Help conduct certain outreach including blog and social media posts, tabling, and, potentially, public lectures and/or educational walks
Required Qualifications
- Experience in the field sampling of insects
- Ability to identify a range of taxa in the field, including but not limited to select invertebrate groups (we are willing to train, but some prior familiarity would be important)
- Willingness and ability to conduct field research in both wild biodiversity monitoring and agroecology, sometimes working on your own under a variety of weather conditions.
- Willingness to help organize and supervise work of summer interns
- Enthusiasm for outreach
- Team player with good communication skills who can integrate with a small team
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- Tolerance of a somewhat flexible schedule, including occasional early morning, evening, or weekend hours
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications
- Agroecology and/or agricultural field experience
- Bachelors Degree or higher
- Some level of supervisory experience
- Passion for and comfort in the outdoors
- Experience with the curation of insect collections
- Experience with ArcGIS
- Experience with statistical analysis and data summarization
- Knowledge of and passion for an agronomically relevant insect group
- Photographic/videographic skills
Application deadline: Application review will being on 5 February 2024
Starting date: 1 May 2024
Remuneration: Full-time, exempt with benefits, salary $38,000-48,000 depending on experience
The Hawthorne Valley Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to supporting an inclusive workplace that is respectful of cultural, ethnic, and experiential diversity, and is actively engaged in facilitating DEIB trainings and action plans. We welcome applicants of diverse races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.
To apply, please send CV and letter explaining interest and qualifications to Conrad Vispo, conrad@hawthornevalleyfarm.org. Any questions can be sent to the same email and phone calls (518 672 7994) are welcome.