JOB TITLE: Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Texas

LOCATION: Remote near Temple, Texas. Candidates must have a personal office location suitable for work purposes, with broadband internet access. (Employee will visit Texas NRCS State Office once a week)

COMPENSATION: $62,857.68 per year, ($2,619.07 paid semi-monthly)

JOB START DATE: September, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 11, 2025

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

Xerces is happy to provide accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org.

JOIN US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most important animals. We are seeking a skilled and collaborative expert in invertebrate conservation, who has an interest in helping federal Farm Bill conservation programs work for monarch butterfly, pollinator, and beneficial invertebrate conservation in Texas. The ideal candidate should have direct experience working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and be knowledgeable of Farm Bill conservation programs, such as EQIP, CSP, CRP and ACEP. The ideal candidate will also have a strong background in the conservation of monarch butterflies, pollinators in general, or other important invertebrate species, including those that serve as food for wildlife or that help in pest control.

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farmers, ranchers, and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on invertebrate conservation, training thousands of farmers, ranchers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about valuable invertebrates.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

This position is a partnership with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) State Office in Temple, Texas. In collaboration with Xerces Society Program staff and regional monarch conservation partners, the Partner Biologist will help develop and implement conservation strategies for monarch butterflies. This position will create and update tools and conservation program technical guidance to help NRCS field staff evaluate and plan habitat. These tools may include habitat evaluation guides, habitat specifications, restoration guidance, plant lists, and guidance on managing rangelands for native plant diversity to benefit monarchs and other pollinators. The person in this position will organize and provide trainings and follow up support to NRCS staff and working lands partners on how to use this guidance consistently in order to plan impactful projects. The Partner Biologist will also help the Xerces Society and NRCS Texas better understand monarchs by conducting field research to better understand monarch migration dynamics and critical plant materials in Texas.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work with Xerces Society and NRCS specialists to develop or refine technical documents that support establishment, enhancement, or management of habitat for monarchs and other beneficial insects. Technical documents may include habitat evaluation guides, conservation practice specifications, plant lists, seed mixes, fact sheets, and habitat restoration guidelines.
Train and support NRCS conservation planning staff in the use of these technical documents.
Assist NRCS conservation planners in the development and implementation of conservation plans that create or enhance monarch, pollinator or beneficial insect habitat on working lands in southern Texas, but ranging elsewhere in Texas as needed.
Assist in habitat evaluation, conservation planning, and habitat restoration efforts for the monarch butterfly and other declining invertebrate species.
Provide technical guidance and answer questions on pollinator, butterfly, or beneficial insect habitat restoration projects for NRCS conservation planners, partners, and agricultural producers.
Coordinate and conduct field days and trainings on monarch butterflies, threatened or endangered pollinator species, or pollinator and beneficial insect conservation, with an emphasis on habitat creation and management for these animals.
Conduct field research to learn which nectar plants and host plants are preferred by monarchs in the region, study the availability of those plants in Texas agroecosystems, and learn more about how those plants are impacted by land management regimes.
Work with NRCS Texas Plant Materials staff and native plant industry professionals to increase the commercial availability of monarch nectar sources and milkweeds.

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Xerces Society Inc

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