Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Texas - Military veterans preferred

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:  

REQUIRED

• Strong knowledge and experience in wildlife habitat planning, restoration and management unique to the south-central U.S. This includes experience with habitat restoration, native plant establishment (both woody and herbaceous), and invasive species control.
• Knowledge of the ecology of monarch butterflies, as well as the biology of pollinators and their habitat needs.
• Ability to identify native plants that are beneficial to monarch butterflies and pollinators in Texas. 
• Knowledge and experience in planning or implementing pollinator habitat restoration in cropland, rangeland, natural areas, or other landscapes. 
• Knowledge and experience in ecosystem and wildlife management unique to Texas, native plant restoration, prescribed grazing, prescribed fire, brush management, invasive species control, range planting, or riparian management to benefit both biodiversity and range health. 
• Exceptional presentation, public speaking, and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences that include land managers, ranchers, farmers, conservation agency staff, and others. 
• Exceptional communication skills that foster collaboration with diverse partners.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to develop technical documents for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of wildlife (especially invertebrate) habitat management, plants, natural communities, ecosystems, and ecological processes in Texas. 
• Knowledge of common agricultural systems and practices in Texas.
• Ability to travel out-of-town for multiple days (approximately 2-4 overnights per month) to support conservation training or planning.
• Valid driver’s license for travel to work in the field and to business meetings.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Ability to take initiative and adapt to changing situations, evaluating new circumstances and pivoting as needed.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to develop work plans and work independently on assigned tasks. 
• Working knowledge of common software and web applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Web Soil Survey).

PREFERRED

• NRCS field office experience, implementing the NRCS conservation planning process and using NRCS conservation planning tools (e.g., Conservation Desktop, WHEGs). 
• Knowledge of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs (for example EQIP, CRP, CSP, or ACEP) and the work of the NRCS or the Farm Service Agency (FSA). 
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management practices, and strategies for reducing negative impacts of pesticides on pollinators and other beneficial insects.
• Knowledge of the biology and ecology of other declining pollinator species in the region.
• Habitat restoration experience: site preparation, seed and plant sourcing, seed/plant mix development, seeding and plug-planting, and follow up monitoring and management for successful establishment. 
• Experience with field research in remote locations.
• Ability to speak Spanish or other languages used by farmers and ranchers in Texas. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree strongly preferred) in a relevant field of research including; entomology, natural resource management, ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology, or range management. 
• Valid driver’s license in the United States and a points-based motor vehicle records check prior to employment allowing employee to be insured under Xerces corporate liability insurance. 
• Essential Functions of this position require the employee to drive a vehicle, and an offer of Employment will be contingent on this record check. 
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

 PREFERRED

• Master’s Degree in a field listed above. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.
• Occasionally traverse across unpaved roads, walkways, fields and unimproved trails for periods of 2 to 8 hours.
• Occasionally work in the field under potentially adverse weather conditions and in difficult terrain.
• Occasionally lift and move supplies, materials, equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Occasionally drive vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours.
• Travel overnight when necessary for field research, meetings, project assessments, implementation, meetings, or planning.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time, salaried, exempt position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Schedule may be flexible, depending on job-specific requirements.

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; thirteen paid holidays, paid time off accrued at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule increasing with seniority), medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, short-term disability insurance where not provided under state law, long-term disability insurance, participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting eligibility requirements, and a flexible work environment.

MORE INFORMATION:  For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website: www.xerces.org 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: xerces.org/jobs

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

MUTUAL ARBITRATION: Xerces policies require that employees accept a binding mutual arbitration agreement and process for dispute resolution as an alternative to a jury/trial process. Acceptance of the agreement is a condition of employment, and candidates are offered a position with a minimum of 72 hours to consider.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or any other status protected under the law.

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