Water Chestnut Project Manager Position Open!

Water Chestnut Project Manager

Work With Us

Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) is dedicated to the promotion of environmental research and education about the Finger Lakes and surrounding environments. In collaboration with regional environmental partners and state and local government offices, the Institute fosters environmentally-sound development practices throughout the region, and disseminates accumulated knowledge to the public.

About FL-PRISM

The Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (FL-PRISM) is a network of partners in 17 counties of the Finger Lakes region of New York and brings together the resources of a diverse range of organizations to prevent, detect, control, and manage invasive species; ultimately reducing their proliferation and impacts. With the cost to control invasive species within the United States estimated between $120B and $137B annually (Pimentel et al. 2005, Runyon et al. 2012), the FL-PRISM allows for sharing and leveraging of limited resources within the partnership while representing a highly-visible program that builds community awareness and participation.

Position Summary

The Water Chestnut Project Manager (WCPM) is a two-year, grant funded position with the aim of removing water chestnut (Trapa natans) from known locations within the Finger Lakes region of the Great Lakes Basin through hand pulling, mechanical harvest, and chemical treatment, including securing necessary permitting and permission for access, and completing surveys for new infestations. Working in concert with the FLI Director and the Coordinator for the FL-PRISM, the project manager will coordinate an on-the-ground and in-the-water water chestnut control strike team, create a regional water chestnut management plan and annual report, guide the creation of an aquatic invasive species (AIS) field guide contract, and participate in regional aquatic invasive species campaigns.

Responsibility and Scope

• Manage locations for surveying and mapping water chestnut within NY’s Great Lakes Basin and within the Rochester Embayment, an Area of Concern.
• Coordinate a strike team to remove water chestnut via hand-pulling from known locations and survey targeted locations where infestations are likely to occur near current infestations and remove any encountered invasive species.
• Coordinate mechanical harvesting through contracted services for water chestnut removal (i.e., Allied Biological).
• Coordinate chemical treatment for water chestnut control, including mapping area with GIS, securing appropriate state or federal permits required for herbicide work in waterways, and working with property owner and DEC staff.
• Liaise with local environmental groups and advertise opportunities to engage in hand pulling with established partnerships that include the NYS B.A.S.S. Nation and Genesee Valley Audubon Society as well the FL-PRISM network.
• Lead and monitor work groups consisting of crew members, volunteers, or partners covering a wide geographic area.
• Actively engage in regional aquatic invasive species working groups (FL-PRISM Aquatic Working Group, CNY Water Chestnut Taskforce) and governmental agencies to provide updates and seek advice and collaboration on water chestnut control in the region.
• Develop a water chestnut management and action plan for New York’s Great Lakes Basin and the Finger Lakes region that includes best management practices for removal of water chestnut.
• Coordinate multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines and managing timeframes.
• Resolve routine issues independently, consulting with FL-PRISM Coordinator to develop plans for resolution of complex and unusual problems.
• Work under minimal and distant supervision; must make independent decisions based on experience and judgments.
• Working knowledge of social media (twitter, Facebook) and website maintenance

Working Conditions

• Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
• Requires long hours in both isolated settings, and public spaces.

Travel Requirements

Some weekends and evening hours will be required. Occasional overnight trips may be required. Work vehicles may be available for use however, use of personal vehicle will be necessary.  Successful candidate will be reimbursed for work related travel when using personal vehicle, at a rate of $0.54 per mile. Successful candidate must have their own reliable transportation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors of Science degree in environmental science/studies, biology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field
• Experience in supervising staff, students, or volunteers (i.e., leadership role and not simply peer group membership)
• Experience in performing physical outdoor work, preferably biological monitoring.
• Experience in recognizing plant and animal species.
• Experience in operating various types of equipment.
• Experience in working in a team environment.
• Must be able to obtain related licenses or certifications as required (e.g., First Aid, CPR, and driver’s license)

Preferred Qualifications

• Twelve credits of more towards a graduate degree in environmental studies, biology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, management, and natural resource preservation.
• Knowledge of invasive species, invasive species ecology and management
• Strong interest in invasive species management and ecology
• Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems.
• Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Experience writing or assisting in the creation of management plans or similar documents.
• Experience with the NYS permitting process.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners with different backgrounds.
• Self-motivated, work well both independently and in a collaborative setting
• Good team player with flexibility, strong communication, and organizational skills
• Strong writing skills
• Demonstrated leadership capability.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Software (word, excel, power point)
• Working knowledge of social media (twitter, Facebook) and website maintenance
• Comfortable speaking in front of a wide variety of audiences

Position Benefits and Salary

The Water Chestnut Project Manager is a full-time, temporary, grant funded (two-year) position at the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The position is exempt, salaried, and benefits-eligible. For more information on benefits at HWS, click here.

How to Apply

To apply to this position, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted electronically to flprism@gmail.com.

If you experience technical issues, please contact mosher@hws.edu.

EOE
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free educational, living and working environment for all members of the HWS community, including students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and visitors. HWS prohibits discrimination and harassment in their programs and activities on the basis of age, color, disability, domestic violence victim status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual misconduct including stalking and intimate partner violence, and gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are a highly  selective residential liberal arts institution located in a small, diverse city in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.  With an enrollment of approximately 2,200, the Colleges offer 62 majors and minors from which students choose two areas of concentration, one of which must be an interdisciplinary program.  Creative and extensive programs of international study and public service are also at the core of the Colleges’ mission.

Position Title: Water Chestnut Project Manager (pending grant contract)

Full/Part Time: Full-Time, 12-month

Regular/Temporary: Temporary, two-year, grant funded

Location: Geneva, NY

Salary: $36,000

Travel will be required for this position