Apologies if you are receiving this more than once. =20 =20 Position Title: Coordinator, Michigan Important Bird Areas Program (MI = IBA) Location: Michigan (exact location to be determined) =20 =20 Purpose of the Position: The Michigan IBA Coordinator will be = responsible for implementing and coordinating the Important Bird Areas = (IBA) Program in Michigan. The Michigan IBA Program is a partnership = involving the Detroit Audubon Society, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, the = Michigan Audubon Society and National Audubon Society. The IBA Program = is an integral part of the partnership's shared mission to conserve and = restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their = habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological = diversity. =20 =20 Essential Functions: Key components of the MI IBA program include the = identification of sites, the coordination of volunteers and adoption = groups in IBA monitoring and conservation action, and the development of = conservation strategies for IBAs. The MI IBA Coordinator will work with = the MI IBA Management Committee, the MI IBA Technical Committee and key = IBA partners. Working in conjunction with the MI IBA Technical = Committee, the MI IBA Coordinator will be tasked with developing state = level IBA criteria, an IBA nomination form and will begin the nomination = of potential IBAs throughout Michigan. Additional IBA Coordinator = responsibilities will include data analysis and management using = Audubon's national IBA Database, web site development, literature = searches, research summaries, and other tasks. =20 =20 As a first step the MI IBA Coordinator will be responsible for the = following specific activities:=20 =20 * Develop an annual work plan to delineate and prioritize tasks; * Develop a list of priority species, beginning with state and federal = priority lists, MI NFI, NABCI priority bird lists and the Audubon = WatchList; * In conjunction with the MI IBA Technical Committee, develop = science-based criteria and thresholds for identifying IBAs and establish = protocol for data acquisition and review of sites; * Develop content for the MI IBA web site, which will include = information listed above as developed, IBA summaries, updates on MI IBA = Program progress, links to state/national/international bird initiative = sites, and an MS Word nomination form linked to the web site, etc.;=20 * Coordinate the review of 75 to 100 nominated sites and the = identification of at least 50 to 100 IBAs throughout the state, starting = with potential sites suggested by MI IBA partners; * Engage the two Audubon Chapters in Michigan, Kalamazoo Nature Center = and other key stakeholder groups and interested individuals or = organizations in the nomination, recognition, adoption, and conservation = of Important Bird Areas; * Conduct mailing of site nomination forms to Michigan stakeholder and = expert groups and individuals;=20 * In the initial year of the program, the coordinator will work with the = MI IBA Technical Committee to recognize at least three model IBAs, with = posting of partnership signs, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and press = packages; * Working in conjunction with the MI IBA Management Committee, promote = the IBA program by giving presentations and providing information to = Detroit Audubon Society, Michigan Audubon Society, MAS sub-Chapters, = Kalamazoo Nature Center and other entities as requested; * Identify key gaps requiring data analysis or short-term additional = monitoring needed to identify IBAs;=20 * Contribute to National Audubon Society's "Measures of Success" by = reporting on the status of MI IBAs; * Assess the conservation status of identified IBAs and prioritize = sites; * Begin developing site conservation plans for priority IBAs; * Prepare status reports to assist in meeting IBA Contract deliverables = and other required reporting; =20 Additional Functions: Conduct outreach and education activities = including public presentations, written articles for popular literature = and outreach to media on the importance of IBAs; work with development = staff in fundraising through proposals to foundations and government = agencies, donor visits and special events. =20 Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to meet deadlines are = essential. =20 =20 Travel statewide which will include overnights and weekends. =20 =20 Other duties as assigned. =20 Measurement of Performance: Annual Performance Management Plan (PMP) =20 Relationships: Internal: Work with National Audubon IBA staff, VP of State Programs, = the two Chapters in Michigan, and Kalamazoo Nature Center. Strong = interrelationships with other Audubon programs and administrative staff. =20 External: Strong relationship with staff from other conservation = organizations in Michigan and Michigan state agencies. Extensive = contact with private landowners, federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish & = Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation = Service), university and university affiliates, community leaders, = donors, media, and volunteers. =20 =20 Equipment: Standard office equipment (i.e., phone, fax, copier, MS = Windows operating system computer, etc.). Familiarity if not expertise = with Microsoft Software products and GIS (ESRI) software. =20 =20 Qualifications: B.S. degree is required, M.S. preferred, in = conservation biology, wildlife biology, ornithology, natural resources, = or equivalent. Keen interest in bird conservation, experience in avian = monitoring and inventory methodologies desired. Excellent public = speaking and writing skills, familiarity with a variety of software = programs, ability to organize and manage complex projects with a variety = of partners, and a willingness to travel. Fundraising experience is a = plus. =20 =20 Contact:=20 =20 To apply send via e-mail a cover letter stating interest, curriculum = vitae, and contact information for three references to:=20 =20 Lynn Tennefoss Vice President, State Programs and Chapter Services National Audubon Society =20 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 800-542-2748 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20
