Careers at Pollinator Partnership

Work you can believe in.

Pollinator Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. Pollinator Partnership offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will occur on a rolling basis. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Anticipated Start Date: August 2024

Location: Flexible/remote within Michigan, preferably near an urban center

Pollinator Partnership (P2) is looking for an experienced and passionate professional who possesses the skills to lead and advance sustainable urban agriculture in Ohio and Michigan. This individual will consult with urban and underserved growers and develop a guide for best management practices relating to pollinator support in urban agriculture, create demonstration habitat and conduct field days, promote USDA’s NRCS Farm Bill programs, and facilitate peer to peer urban agriculture support networks. They will work with NRCS staff and their partners, as needed. This position will provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to a diversity of private landowners and partner organizations to accelerate adoption of pollinator and other wildlife conservation practices in urban agricultural settings. Coverage area will primarily be focused on an urban center in Michigan. Candidates should be detailed and team-oriented professionals, have a strong work ethic, and be committed to the mission and values of P2.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks:

The Urban Agriculture Outreach Associate is responsible for the following duties and others as assigned:

• Develop P2’s relationships and foster new partnerships with urban agricultural contacts, including farmers, community leaders, conservation professionals, extension staff, and others.

• Provide project specific technical support on pollinator and beneficial insect conservation techniques to underserved farmers managing urban farms and to underserved agricultural and community organizations.

• Coordinate and conduct in-person and virtual workshops (trainings, field days, etc.) and peer-to-peer support networks for underserved urban and small farm communities in participating cities.

• Identify and coordinate with urban farm ambassadors to establish select IPM/pollinator supporting conservation practices to serve as demo sites for field days, workshops, and mentorship activities.

• Gain familiarity and expertise with Ohio and Michigan specific NRCS programs and staff points of contact.

• Survey existing resources and work with partners to develop an urban agriculture guide relating to supporting pollinators, practicing IPM, and utilizing Farm Bill programs in these unique and sometimes challenging landscapes.

• Supervise the project PT staff.

• Accelerate conservation program enrollment by working with NRCS, P2 contacts, and other partners.

• Provide technical assistance for conservation practice implementation in urban agriculture (pollinator habitat focus).

• Coordinate and routinely communicate with P2 colleagues, NRCS State, Area, and Field Office staff, and key partners in Ohio and Michigan regarding project activities and status updates.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Candidates should possess the following minimum qualifications:

• Ability to build trust and communicate clearly and effectively with farmers, landowners, and partners in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.

• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele. Must be a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge of the ecology of bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and natural enemies of crop pests.

• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland, wetland, and early succession habitat management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.

• Plant identification skills, with specific familiarity with forbs, shrubs, and trees most beneficial to pollinators.

• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife habitat programs provided by federal, state, & local entities. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an urban agricultural landscape is desired.

• Understanding of regional urban farming systems and crops, including pesticides and pesticide use, and experience with common agricultural practices of the Midwest.

• Knowledge of IPM practices, Conservation Biological Control, and other strategies for reducing negative impacts of pest management on pollinators and other beneficial insects.

• Understanding of the challenges faced by historically underserved Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous, and other communities of color or underserved groups.

• Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to manage demanding workloads.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to develop and give engaging presentations to audiences of more than twenty adults.

• Comfortable working outside, willing and able to work across various habitat settings.

• Ability to travel throughout home region (with occasional travel to other parts of the state) to conduct site visits and workshops.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Drive, etc.).

• Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required with a mileage reimbursement provided.

• As a remote employee, individuals will need computer access and a workspace.

Education and Experience Preferred: A combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field with a minimum of 2 years related experience is required. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs is highly preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. Practical and/or professional experience in urban farming and agricultural disciplines is highly beneficial. The successful applicant must enjoy working with private landowners and producers to achieve their conservation objectives.

Schedule, Compensation, and Benefits:

Hourly position, $20 to $21 per hour, commensurate with experience. This position is scheduled to work up to 40 hours/week with some scheduling flexibility. Overtime may be granted with the prior express permission from the supervisor. Travel, lodging, mileage, and per diem expenses will be reimbursed, but are not to exceed a set amount. This position includes a generous benefits package: twelve paid holidays, paid time off, paid health, vision, life, and dental insurance, option to participate in a retirement program, and a flexible work environment.

Terms: Pollinator Partnership is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Duration: This position is term-based under a grant-funded program running until December 2026 and may continue depending upon availability of funds.

How to Apply: Please upload your cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references into one PDF using the following naming convention “[Last Name]_Urban Agriculture Outreach Associate" and apply by filling out the form at the link here: https://form.jotform.com/242175738312153

Pollinator Partnership (P2) is looking for an experienced habitat planner who possesses the skills to provide technical assistance for farmers through multiple large agricultural grant programs. This candidate should be a detailed and team-oriented professional, have a strong work ethic, and be committed to the mission and values of P2.

About Pollinator Partnership:

Pollinator Partnership is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and restore populations of pollinator species. As world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to the preservation of birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, bats, and other pollinators P2 plays a key role in preserving terrestrial ecosystems, promoting agricultural productivity, and enhancing local communities through pollinator-centered work. P2 has been actively supporting the conservation and protection of pollinators throughout North America since 1996. A multifaceted approach using original science; habitat preservation and creation; policy outreach; and public education has helped us achieve our goals in pollinator conservation. For more information, visit www.pollinator.org.

Position Description

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning activities for pollinator habitat projects throughout the Central Valley of California, potentially planning upwards of 30 projects annually. The ideal candidate will have experience with California agriculture and pollinator habitat, including site preparation, species selection, habitat installation, and maintenance. This position will provide support to a USDA Climate Smart Commodities grant (approximately 60% of time), plus additional support for other pollinator habitat projects across California.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Plan and design pollinator habitat projects, including hedgerows, wildlife habitat plantings, cover crops, and others.
• Assist with the coordination of multiple large, multi-year grant programs including enrollment of landowners, project planning, distribution of funds, reporting, and contract management.
• Coordinate and work directly with key program staff, conservation stakeholders, landowners and land managers, and sponsors.
• Represent P2 at conferences, workshops, and meetings, giving presentations about the program with the goal of increasing landowner engagement.
• Collaborate with federal and state agencies, such as NRCS and US Fish and Wildlife.
• Write annual reports.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Botany, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive knowledge of habitat planning and design.
• Strong planning, implementation, and multitasking skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, including excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel (in-state) for field visits and meetings. Access to personal vehicle, valid driver’s license, and clean driving record.
• Habitat restoration including plant ecology, site preparations, habitat installation, and maintenance.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with agricultural producers and a good understanding of farm operations.
• Pollinator biology, conservation, and research experience (including native and managed bees, butterflies including monarchs, and other pollinators).
• Development, fundraising, and grant writing experience.
• Familiarity with NRCS, FSA, and other cost-share programs.
• Bilingual (Spanish, English).

Compensation: $55,000 – $60,000. This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week. Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications. A full benefits package will be provided. Local travel and expenses will be reimbursed.

Location: California. Remote employee, office not provided.

To Apply: Interested candidates should combine their cover letter, resume, and 3 references into one PDF using the following naming convention “Last Name_First Name_Habitat_Specialist” and apply by filling out the form at this link: form.jotform.com/241337446428156 by June 15th, 2024.

No phone calls please.

Pollinator Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. Pollinator Partnership offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.