Position Summary

Grassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southern grasslands are nearly extinct and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. What will the next 25 years bring? As a conservation community we are only now realizing how extensive our grasslands used to be. If we want to reverse the tide of grassland biodiversity loss, our response must be rapid as well as unparalleled in its magnitude. This is an immensely complex and ambitious challenge that will take some of the brightest and most creative minds in American conservation and philanthropy to solve. Are you ready to join the Southeastern Grasslands Institutes’s team?

Austin Peay State University’s Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) invites applications for a Restoration Ecologist position. This is a full-time, nontenure-track position. The Restoration Ecologist  primary role will be to serve the needs of SGI in developing and managing grassland conservation projects in the Interior Low Plateau region (middle TN, western TN, north-central AL, and central KY). In addition to on-the-ground work in grasslands, and coordination of broader efforts, this position includes a strong component of grant-writing to help secure future funding to support this position and to grow additional programming/staffing needs in the Interior Low Plateau region. The position will be located near Clarksville, TN (greater Nashville, TN area). Frequent travel will be required to reach the different project areas with overnight stays and travel expenses being covered through grant funds. Working from home will be possible for a few, specific desk-based tasks. This position will report to SGI’s Director of Stewardship.

SGI, affiliated with the Center of Excellence for Field Biology at Austin Peay State University, is a young and dynamic organization where we celebrate, support and strive to promote diversity, equality and inclusion, and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee restoration projects and supervise teams based  in northern Alabama, central and western Tennessee, and central Kentucky.
• Oversee restoration projects working with the National Parks Service in the region.
• Design and implement restoration, management, and research projects related to grasslands and grassland-related (open woodlands/open wetlands) communities.
• Coordinate and assist in field work related to grassland research, management, restoration, and re-creation, including working with various individuals, organizations, and agencies; must be able to work collaboratively and with a positive attitude with SGI team members and people outside SGI.
• Seek additional funding opportunities and draft grant proposals.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with private, state, national and international conservation organizations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work a non-standard schedule, such as beginning at 5 am to avoid heat-related issues, or occasionally working late hours on time-sensitive needs such as project management or grant proposals.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must be able to hike at least 5 miles in a variety of landscapes including wetlands, grasslands, forests, and hilly or mountainous terrain.
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions, including hot temperatures, independently in remote places, or as part of a team.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods for desk-work, including typing and using a laptop or desktop computer and mobile app technologies.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 1 year of work experience in coordination and implementation and design of restoration projects.
• M.S. in Botany, Ecology, Plant Biology, Conservation Biology, Restoration Ecology or related fields is preferred. 
• Experience planning, implementing, and assessing ecological restoration projects. The successful candidate should demonstrate understanding of ecological restoration prescriptions, outcomes, tools, and practices. Prefer experience with prescribed fire, silvicultural management, seeding, and herbicide application.
• Knowledge of and prior experience conducting species and natural community inventory, and assessing ecological quality of various natural communities.
• Knowledge of and prior experience assessing restoration and management needs of grasslands and woodlands and writing and implementing restoration and management plans.
• Prefer the successful candidate have good skills with plant identification at the species, genus, and family levels, preferably of eastern North America.
• Prefer the successful candidate have proficiency in natural history, ecology, and vegetation, preferably of eastern North America.
• Must have very good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences including laypeople, volunteers, private landowners, interns, academics, business leaders, agency personnel, donors, and other professionals.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both in writing and in oral communication as well as excellent presentation abilities.
• A successful track record in setting priorities, taking initiative, and multi-tasking.
• Experience using hand-held GPS equipment and/or mobile apps for data collection and navigation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive a wide variety of vehicles, including 4WD trucks and ATVs.
• Strong commitment to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are considered throughout all aspects of our program.
• Must be fluent in English.
• Must be willing to obtain a pesticide license within the first 6 months of employment.