Science Director

Job Description:

The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is seeking qualified applicants for a Science Director position that will develop and manage a program of science that addresses the recreational ecology issues of the 21st century.

The Conference intends to develop a science program which will accomplish the following:

1. Inform and support Trail Conference activities with relevant scientific information,
2. Create a volunteer-based monitoring and ecological management effort for the trail system.

Examples of the kinds of activities envisioned include

1. Developing programs to recruit and train volunteers to monitor endangered species and their habitats, invasive exotics, and monitor forest insect pest outbreaks;
2. Preparing brief articles on ecological topics for the Conference newsletter;
3. Developing trailside programs that involve K-12 educators; and
4. Analyzing and communicating scientific information relevant to the creation of the trail system and maintenance of its ecological health.

The candidate will also be expected to take a major role in generating funding to continue and expand the program. The position is full time.

Background and Training:

The successful candidate will have advanced training in ecology, conservation biology, restoration ecology, recreation ecology, forestry or a related field, experience with field biology, and experience with outreach or environmental education. A Ph. D. degree is preferred, but a candidate with a Masters’ degree who has outstanding experience and skills will also be considered. The candidate should have a strong interest in working with the public to solve ecological problems. Proficiency with standard office productivity software is required.

Applications:

Applications will be reviewed by the Trail Conference staff and Science Advisory Committee. The Trail Conference offers competitive non-profit salaries and benefits commensurate with experience. Review of applications will begin March 3rd with an expected start date in May. Applications must consist of a curriculum vitae, a personal statement describing your vision for this position and your qualifications to enact that vision, the names of three references and your salary requirements or salary history. Submit applications via email to office@nynjtc.org. For attachments, use plain text or RTF format and use your name as the name of the attachment. Or send by mail to Personnel, NY-NJ Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. No telephone calls please. A notice when the position is filled will be posted at www.nynjtc.org/employees.

About Us:

Created in 1920 as a federation of member clubs it now represents 100,000 hiking enthusiasts in the metro NY-NJ region. Since opening the original section of the Appalachian Trail in 1923, our trail network has grown to over 1,500 miles of marked and maintained trails. Our mission is to provide the public with responsible access to intact natural areas and, by doing so, help preserve the region's environmental integrity. The Conference's three-pronged approach--protection, stewardship, and education--is achieved through a largely volunteer effort guided by a belief that the well-being of our region's people and ecosystems is dependent on our ability to experience the backcountry in an environmentally responsible way. Our work is supported through membership dues, publication sales, and private donations. In addition, hundreds of volunteers contribute over 35,000 hours of effort annually. The office is located in Mahwah, NJ, 26 miles northeast of Manhattan. For more information about the NY-NJ Trail Conference, see www.nynjtc.org.

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