Wetland Range Ecologist

Position Summary:

The Wetland/Rangeland Ecologist supports the mission of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) by conducting crane habitat use, habitat management, and wetland research. With the Director of the Gulf Coast Programs, the incumbent will promote land conservation and implement best management practices for water conservation, wetland restoration, and climate change adaptation on the current and potential wintering grounds for Whooping Cranes. The incumbent will work collaboratively with many partners, including private landowners, coastal communities and businesses, government agencies, universities, and other conservation organizations, to advocate for land use policies and practices that jointly benefit people and wildlife, namely cranes. This work, will advance our goal of achieving a resilient ecosystem and sustainable future for Whooping Cranes, other biodiversity, and all who depend on a healthy Texas coast environment today and in the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Expand the research and monitoring program in Texas:

· Design, develop, and conduct research on Whooping Crane habitat use, changes in the vegetation community over time, and habitat management.

· Communicate the results of research to partners, landowners, donors through various outlets.

Protect and manage coastal land to ensure a growing, sustainable population of Whooping Cranes:

· Develop personal relationships with coastal landowners and guide them through a myriad of options to protect, maintain, and/or restore their land and water resources in accordance with their economic needs and vision for land conservation.

· Assist partners and landowners with habitat management work such as prescribed fire implementation, well installation, brush management.

· Support identification of current and planned locations of commercial and industrial sites within the Whooping Crane wintering range; support proactive steps early in the planning process to recommend alternative siting of development projects or mitigation of development impacts at suitable alternative wintering areas.

· Serve as an active liaison among partners involved in land and water conservation projects in the wintering range of Whooping Cranes, updating partners periodically on progress (extent of land conserved, ecological benefits, new projects).

· Maintain regular contact with federal and state agency leads to set priorities for Whooping Crane habitat conservation.

· Guide conservation partners through acquisition, conservation easements, and management of coastal lands that ensure future habitat for Whooping Cranes as sea levels rise.

Ensure that adequate freshwater is available in the coastal bays and estuaries and on the landscape to sustain cranes, other wildlife, and livelihoods:

· Advocate for an incentives program through which farmers are paid to flood rice fields for current and potential wintering Whooping Crane freshwater habitat and support those farmers in maintaining their priority to receive water on their lands through their state water permits, particularly during drought periods.

· Work with landowners and partners to obtain funds and implement wetland restoration projects.

· Work with landowners and partners to obtain funds and implement prairie restoration projects.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

· Work with the Whooping Crane Biologist to collect behavioral data.

· Work with the Grants Officer and Development staff to raise funds for the Gulf Coast Programs.

· Help maintain our GIS Database on habitat work across the Coastal Bend of Texas.