JOB TITLE: Freshwater Mussel Conservation Biologist
LOCATION: Based in Pacific Northwest, preferably NW Oregon or SW Washington
COMPENSATION: 62,857 per year
STATUS: Full-time, regular position scheduled to work approximately 40 hrs/wk
JOB START DATE: Approximate start date October/November, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs
JOIN US!
Come join a 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 motivated expert who can join our team of Endangered Species conservation biologists to support the freshwater mussel conservation program.
At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers 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 invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:
Reporting to the Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Program Freshwater Mussel Lead (Portland, OR office) and working in collaboration with partner agencies and organizations, the Freshwater Mussel Conservation Biologist will focus on a variety of projects related to aquatic invertebrates, especially freshwater mussel research, conservation, and advocacy. The Freshwater Mussel Conservation Biologist will conduct substantial fieldwork involving snorkeling and wading in rivers and streams, requiring frequent but seasonal overnight and remote travel, with the majority of fieldwork from May-September each year. The successful candidate must be able to swim and wade safely in streams, lakes and rivers, walk over uneven terrain, carry 30 pounds using a backpack and be comfortable working long hours in the field as part of a team. Successful candidates will be required to pass an in-water safety training upon hiring. The successful candidate must also be able to work autonomously, organize and deliver training events, write scientific, management, or conservation-related documents, develop communications materials for the public, manage and analyze data, and work collaboratively with Xerces staff and partners. The successful candidate must be comfortable managing multiple projects and responsibilities, be detail-oriented, and have excellent communication skills. The ability to work collaboratively and build lasting conservation partnerships with diverse groups of people will be crucial to the candidate’s success.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species Program staff, the applicant who fills this position will:
During the field season (approximately May – September):
- Spend Monday through Thursday of most weeks conducting fieldwork (i.e., routine multi-day and routine overnight travel);
- Routinely snorkel, wade, or boat in rivers and streams of variable sizes to collect data using digital tools or paper data forms. Fieldwork will also include supporting other conservation efforts such as monitoring water quality, conducting freshwater mussel salvages, or conducting survival studies;
- Deliver trainings to other professionals at oftentimes remote field locations;
- Conduct outreach to the general public;
- Manage work under multiple field-based projects simultaneously, maintaining a high degree of professionalism with Xerces staff and partners, including working with seasonal staff.
Throughout the year:
- Maintain regular communication with a remotely based supervisor, including collaborating via digital tools such as Google Drive and virtual meeting platforms;
- Coordinate and deliver presentations and respond to requests for information from Xerces Society team members, natural resource agencies, researchers, and the public;
- Manage databases and datasets, and analyze, map and report on data collected and work conducted during the field season and through other desktop projects;
- Complete writing projects including project reports, scientific papers, blogs, and social media materials;
- Contribute to strategic conservation planning efforts with Xerces staff and partner organizations, including attending meetings, conducting literature reviews, reviewing documents and providing comments, and developing projects and plans;
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail;
- Engage in other endangered species research, education, outreach, restoration, and conservation projects and campaigns.
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