Ecologist Senior

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mosquito Management Program

  • Manage all aspects of the citys annual ecosystemsbased Mosquito control program in coordination with multiple departments across the city organization as the primary method for protection against West Nile virus and other vector borne illnesses.

  • Develop and administer program budget including developing and managing contracts with consultants and contractors implementing the ecosystembased mosquito larval control program.

  • Manage or coordinate all data synthesis analysis and reporting in formats suitable for decision making at both a staff and elected official level.

  • Serve as a liaison to Boulder County Public Health Department other municipalities and academic and agency researchers to monitor and assess the risk of zoonotic diseases including West Nile virus through a community ecology approach to wetland ecosystems management.

  • Serve as the key point of public contact for this program and develop communications and educational materials for the community around West Nile virus control and othe mosquito management related inquiries. Provide community education/outreach about WNv.

  • Prepare and distribute regular reporting on mosquito management to the City Council advisory boards and advocacy groups as needed during mosquito season.

• Citywide Ecologically Based IPM Policy and Program Management

  • Administer the citys IPM Policy which is based on >30 years of collaborative interdepartmental coordination using a decisionmaking process that evaluates the risk to human and ecosystem health to determine when or if a pest management strategy should be employed. Coordinate interdepartmental multidisciplinary teams to develop policies programs and practices in support of the citys management of land waterways wildlife and biodiversity developing riskreduction strategies for both invasive species and management methods including chemical controls.

  • Manage the citywide IPM implementation and decisionmaking process including ongoing risk assessments for chemical and other methods updating the approved pesticide list and IPM operations manual consistent with IPM policy direction and state and/or federal requirements. Ensures that the citys program remains up to date on new chemical and nonchemical treatment strategies scientific research climate and other anthropogenic impacts and policy changes that affect the citys IPM and zoonotic disease vector management programs.

  • Facilitates ongoing shared learning opportunities for city staff about IPM potential pest challenges and least toxic and ecosystemfocused strategies.

  • Manage the synthesis of data and evaluation of measures being utilized by the city to manage vectors of disease vegetation and insects under the IPM program

• Natural Climate Solutions Programs and Policy

  • Participates in crossdepartmental teams coordinating integration of naturebased solutions and IPM efforts in broader city plans and actions including the development of applied research into new approaches that enhance environmental health while minimizing or eliminating exposure to potentially toxic substances.

  • Participate in the development of urban ecosystem assessment and monitoring systems designed to enhance community resilience to climate change and other disruptive forces.

  • Support analysis of potential city policy development for the implementation of critical naturebased solutions.

• Regional/State Action

  • Develop and/or participate in related regional/state level policy assessments including work with state policy makers in the development and implementation of new naturebased solutions and/or IPM policies at both state and federal levels.

  • Develop and/or supports regional/state level implementation initiatives designed to pilot or refine systemsscale naturebased solutions and ecological resilience actions such as regional ecologically focused land management practices public land research consortia and monitoring programs to assess land management practices on climate biodiversity human wellbeing economic and social impacts community ecological health or other similar initiatives.

• Coordinate Community Engagement

  • Support community engagement and community science opportunities.

  • Develop and maintains partnerships with external groups such as local Universities Boulder Valley School District Boulder County and private landowners. This will include providing community outreach on and pest management protection of biodiversity through naturebased solutions related strategies toxics reduction and alternative practices that enhance ecosystem and community health and resilience.

  • Serve as the point of contact for residents regarding city IPM and mosquito management/WNv programs. Provides technical advice concerning IPM to city departments advisory groups boards and committees. May provide technical advice to private landowners on management to comply with Colorado State Law.

  • Monitor regional state and federal actions and regulations as needed and advises for updates to community as needed.

  • Participate directly in utilizing the citys racial equity guidelines and engagement with the citys Diversity Equity and Belonging (DEB) teams to insure broad and inclusive engagement internally and externally.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to approach complex challenges with objectivity and creativity.

• Ability to demonstrate professional experience with progressively increasing responsibility in leadership and program management.

• Ability to demonstrated field experience in some aspect of community ecology and ecosystem assessment and monitoring project development and management.

• Ability to listen and show respect for diverse opinions build relationships and productively facilitate controversial or contentious discussions.

• Ability to translate technical subjects for accessible and understandable community communications and policy development is important for this role.

• Skills exhibiting commitment to working with diverse interests and stakeholders from both public sector and the broader public.

PERFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability demonstrate experience in developing fieldbased research

• Ability to demonstration experience in crosscultural communication and collaboration engagement with BIPOC communities.

• Knowledge demonstrating significant science communication experience as well as regional state or national level policy experience.

• Skills exhibiting experience working in establishing multidisciplinary research or shared learning processes designed to address complex natural resource or ecosystem management issues/challenges especially experience in largescale land restoration/regeneration projects.

• Ph.D. in ecology environmental toxicology epidemiology natural resource management or related disciplines

• Six 6 or more years in fieldrelated experience in ecosystem management related disciplines.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree or higher in relevant field (ecology biology environmental sciences ecosystem planning and land/resource management)

• Three to five 35 years of professional experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Professional experience should demonstrate progressively increasing responsibility in leadership and program management. In particular candidates should have experience in ecosystem assessment and management project development and management science communications and policy development.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Senior Policy Advisor for Climate & Resilience

Supervision Exercised: none

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity or alternative means that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Sufficient personal mobility to permit the employee to work in an office setting. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines public contact and changing priorities and conditions.

• Work Environment: Works in a hybrid work environment that can span working remotely to working in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.

• Machines and Equipment Used include but are not limited to the following: Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers telephones calculators and copy/fax machines and city vehicles.

Note: The above description is illustrative only. It is not meant to be allinclusive.

Additional Job Description:

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race national origin gender gender identity sexual orientation protected veteran status disability age or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation please send a request to