Project Coordinator and Botanist

Cannabis for Conservation is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit whose mission is to conserve persisting natural resources, restore degraded ecosystems, and educate communities to prevent further impacts from unsustainable cannabis cultivation. Our focus is on enhancing and restoring landscapes that have been impacted by cannabis cultivation, and transitioning monocrop cannabis farms to functional agroecosystems for the benefit of wildlife, land, water, and our communities. Briefly, we manage a variety of grant-funded projects that include watershed enhancement and restoration, rare and declining pollinator research, wildfire resilience and forest management, aquatic invasive species management, and environmental compliance and education.

We are seeking to hire two dynamic Project Coordinators, this position description applies to the position focused on botany, forestry, ecology, pollinator ecology, or another relevant field whereas the second Project Coordinator will focus on fisheries biology. To apply for this position, please read the following position description and use the Google form (linked below) to submit your application materials. Do not apply through really - those applications will not be reviewed. Send questions or issues with the application process to janelle [at] cannabisforconservation.org:

Linked Applicant Form: Biological Positions

Or copy and paste this link: www.cannabisforconservation.org/careers

Position overview: The primary role of the Restoration Project Coordinator & Botanist is to coordinate restoration projects, ensure adherence to protocols and schedules, and expand capacity for additional project work within the organization, as well as perform habitat assessments and rare species surveys. This position involves extensive communication and coordination with CFC staff, subcontractors and collaborators, and cultivators, and with funding organizations and agencies. The Project Coordinator positions will account for restoration project deliverables, coordinate scheduling, conduct site visits with documentation, and conduct project reporting.

This position will work closely with a project-specific Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Project Director, Construction Administrators, and restoration subcontractors to determine and implement appropriate actions to protect sensitive natural communities and habitat during

implementation,, and to ensure that post-work monitoring protocols accurately quantify impacts on species and monitor project success.

Skills:

• Experience with large-scale project management and coordination, deliverable tracking, and task management with staff, subcontractors, and landowners

• Ability to professionally report on all project aspects, identify inefficiencies, and resolve issues in a timely manner

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to work with various stakeholders with differing perspectives

• Ability to coordinate and conduct frequent site visits, and collect detailed data

• Ability to navigate in remote environments with 4x4 conditions, use field equipment and power tools, navigate using phone/notebook apps, and manage scheduling for field crews

• Ability to hike and walk in often steep terrain and inclement weather conditions carrying heavy loads

• Knowledge of Northern California ecology, including native species, habitats, ecology, and conservation issues

• Strong knowledge of Northern California plant ID, including rare and sensitive species, vegetation classification, habitat and microhabitat typing, non-native and invasive species management, native plant restoration, and protocol-level surveys

• Strong technical writing and reporting skills (i.e. manuscripts)

• Coordination and outreach: develop and maintain relationships with cultivators and potential new collaborators, and assist in developing environmental learning opportunities for cultivators

• Familiarity with utilizing the CNDDB/BIOS and ArcGIS, as well as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office

• Familiarity with state and federal environmental policy (e.g., CEQA, ESA, CESA, etc.)

• Skilled and experienced in vegetation sampling and monitoring methods

• Familiarity with the local cannabis industry, i.e. history in the region, environmental, political, and social context

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Management, Ecology, Biology, or a related field

• 5 years of experience conducting ecological surveys, with preference given to work in the Humboldt, Trinity, or Mendocino areas; preference will also be given to applicants with diverse employment experience, e.g., experience with agencies, private industry, and nonprofit organizations

• Willing to use personal vehicle for field travel with mileage reimbursement; safe driving record and ability to drive off road in remote and difficult terrain

• Comfortable working in/around a variety of watercourses, e.g. small streams as well as large rivers; knowledge of and experience with field safety

• Familiarity and comfort communicating biological findings to a variety of audiences, including biologists, consultants, landowners, agency staff, restoration crew members, construction operators and members of the public

• Strong desire to be part of a growing, highly collaborative, and results-driven team

• Strong desire to continue to professionally develop, hone skills, and expand knowledge

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with habitat modeling and other relevant statistical approaches and survey techniques

• Experience with special-status species surveys, determining likelihoods of species to occur onsite, and recommending minimization and/or mitigation measures

• Experience with seed collection and restoration planning and implementation

• Proficient and experienced in wetland and/or aquatic resource delineations and wetland plant ID

• Advanced field skills such as Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR); experience working, navigating, and communicating in backcountry settings, navigating on foot and in vehicles through remote and rugged terrain; experience working and operating with limited cell phone reception or communication, and challenging field settings

• Experience working directly with regulatory agencies, obtaining proper permits and ensuring reporting requirements are met before, during, and after project work

• Awareness of emerging issues in relevant natural resource fields

• Experience managing or writing scientific grants

Timeline and Hours

The Project Coordinator positions are both full-time (40 hours per week), permanent positions. This position is hybrid remote, with weekly required in-office time and flexible remote time. Field work and travel will be required of this position and will typically involve ten-hour field days and will primarily be during the field season (March-August). Overnight travel for field work is anticipated to be limited.

Reporting and Communication

The Project Coordinators will report directly to the Project Manager at CFC and will collaborate closely with all consultants and subcontractors with whom we work. Regular weekly check-ins and updates will be required to ensure alignment with project goals and timelines, with tasks and progress tracked in Asana to enhance coordination and accountability.

Compensation

This is an hourly position. Compensation can range between $31-40/hr DOE, with annual raises with sufficient performance.

Benefits

Benefits included with this position are: two weeks paid vacation plus specific federal holidays; paid sick, bereavement, and maternity/paternity leave; healthcare plan reimbursement for employee and families (QSEHRA rates apply); 403(b) retirement plan; flexible schedule; opportunities for paid professional development.

Application Process

Interested candidates should fill out the Google Form linked at the top of this page, which includes a number of long answer questions and requests the following:

• One-page cover letter

• One-page CV/resume

• Transcripts

• Name and contact information for two professional references

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $31.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift

Work Location: Hybrid remote in McKinleyville, CA 95519

Salary : $31 - $40