Species Survival Officer: Plants

The New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS), the nonprofit support organization for the ABQ BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach, is hiring a full-time Species Survival Officer: Plants. This position works within the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico, in close collaboration with the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission, to deliver conservation outcomes for priority plants both regionally and internationally. In particular, this position will serve a key coordinating role in assessing the extinction risk of select plant groups (e.g., medicinals) for the IUCN’s Red List of threatened Species, and will play a supporting role in the development of national red lists and other key metrics of conservation success in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In addition, this position will guide, implement and expand regional plant conservation projects, including rare plant salvage and the ABQ BioPark’s conservation seed bank.

Position Summary:

Working closely with the IUCN network, in particular the IUCN Red List Unit, The New Mexico BioPark Society Staff, ABQ BioPark Staff and the global botanic garden community, the successful applicant will play a key role in rare plant conservation programs within the Southwestern United States and medicinal plant conservation globally. This position will focus on assessing the extinction risk faced by priority plant species for inclusion on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In doing so, the position will help to dramatically expand the understanding of conservation status of plant species globally; laying the much needed foundation for prioritized conservation planning and action across the IUCN and botanic garden community. In addition, the successful applicant will be responsible for managing and expanding the ABQ BioPark’s regional plant conservation portfolio, including the ABQ BioPark’s conservation seed bank, rare plant salvage programs, and regional plant partnerships.

Key Requirements: 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field
• Two years of relevant experience in a biological sciences or conservation field
• A high level of proficiency in scientific writing in English and proficiency communicating with a variety of audiences (academic, public, membership, non-governmental stakeholders)
• Experience with mapping tools/software (e.g., GIS) and data management (e.g., Excel, Access)
• Must be legally eligible for employment within the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate level degree in biological sciences/conservation or related fields
• A commitment to the role of botanic gardens in conservation.
• Strong natural history field skills and familiarity with flora in the southwestern United states and globally
• Demonstrable experience in managing plant field collections and seed banking processes
• Understanding of species conservation and emerging threats in the southwestern United States
• Understanding of key theoretical underpinnings of species conservation globally (e.g., evolutionary ecology, physiology, invasion ecology, landscape ecology, land-use change)
• Advanced knowledge of mapping tools/software (e.g., qGIS, R, Python)
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of partners and disciplines, oftentimes across significant cultural and language barriers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across a variety of projects, develop and maintain relationships with staff and partners
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail, with ability to manage multiple projects, meet frequent and/or demanding deadlines and be self-disciplined about work prioritization and time management
• Ability to work both as an independent contributor and as part of a collaborative team
• An eagerness to expand personal knowledge-base and adapt to new challenges.

Key Areas of Responsibility: 

• Complete ‘Introduction to the IUCN Red List’ online course, having passed the final course examination with a score of 80% or higher within one month of hire.
• Cultivate partnerships, conservation plans, and direct conservation action with regional natural resource management agencies and international conservation stakeholders
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., botanic garden curatorial staff, horticulturalists) to advance plant conservation at ABQ BioPark through ex situ and in situ activities
• With guidance from New Mexico BioPark Society staff, the SSC Chair’s Office, and the SSC Specialist Group Network (e.g., Medicinal Plant Specialist Group, Sonoran Plant Specialist Group, Aquatic Plant Specialist Group), oversee extinction risk assessments for plants of conservation concern, including:
  • Conceptualize and draft assessments for priority plant species
  • Serve as reviewer for assessments prior to publication
  • Conduct species-specific background research on distribution, population size and trends, habitat, and ecology, threats, use and trade, and existing conservation actions
  • Organize and facilitate international expert review workshops and solicit stakeholder input, where appropriate
  • Write proposals, reports and scientific papers
  • Engage with and liaise with stakeholders and partners of the IUCN SSC and Red List
  • Promote the BioPark’s conservation efforts to Biopark staff and visitors through regular talks and workshops
  • Serve as subject matter expert to the public, the zoological community and the wider conservation community in media and at professional conferences
  • Advance global plant extinction risk assessments through additional geographically or taxonomically focused projects, as appropriate
• Line-manage Red List interns and volunteers at the ABQ Biopark and New Mexico Biopark Society as needed
• Maintain and expand rare plant collections at the ABQ BioPark, including:
  • Maintain records and database documenting rare plant collections and seed bank accessions
  • Working with global (e.g., Center’s for Plant Conservation) and regional (e.g., Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council) partners to set and implement collection priorities for rare plants in the Southwestern United States
  • Design and implement survey, monitoring, and plant collection protocols for priority plants
• Serve as a key training resource for the expanding global network of botanic gardens dedicated to conservation
• Undertake any other duties as needed

Working Conditions:

• Ability to operate in harsh, physically demanding landscapes and weather conditions, including the ability to hike on uneven terrain for a prolonged period while carrying gear and supplies, comfortability camping in remote areas, exposure to extreme heat, cold, and wind, and an ability to lift equipment weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to operate effectively outside of normal business hours, where necessary (note: this position is required to collaborate across a range of time zones, sometimes resulting in early morning or late night meetings)
• Ability to travel to and navigate effectively in non-English speaking countries
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid drivers license, or the ability to obtain a valid drivers license within two months of hire

Minimum qualifications for this posting include a Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field, and two years of relevant experience in biological or conservation science. Ideal candidates will have a Master’s degree and demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of plant conservation projects.

NMBPS offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits.  Interested applicants may view a full job description and apply online at www.bioparksociety.org/employment. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume or CV, and two reference contacts. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered for the position. NMBPS is an equal opportunity employer. This position will close on 11/15/2024.