Plant Conservation Coordinator

Indianapolis Zoo; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indianapolis Zoo seeks a Plant Conservation Coordinator to support the IUCN SSC Plant Specialist Groups and GCSS in advancing global plant conservation. You will help identify priorities, manage data, and develop action plans in collaboration with the SSC and partner communities.

You will coordinate projects, engage with international stakeholders, and contribute to outreach through social media, blogs, and other channels to strengthen global plant conservation efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in biology, ecology, botany, natural resources management or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of biodiversity conservation actions and policy related to plants.
• Fluency in English; other languages desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support SSC plant Groups to advance conservation efforts across the SSC Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate).
• Create strategic proposals, launch projects, and develop calls for action on plant issues.
• Assist in IUCN Resolutions and Recommendations and review programmatic documents.
• Foster collaboration across IUCN, governments, botanic gardens, zoos, and conservation partners.
• Build relationships with training programs to recruit new talent into the SSC network.
• Coordinate engagement with the public through zoo resources and global channels.

Skills

Project management

International collaborations

Grant fundraising

Multilingual experience

Education

Bachelor degree in biology/ ecology/ botany/ natural resources management

Tools

IUCN SSC knowledge

Job description

Do you have a passion for species conservation and the determination to work within a global network to promote plant species conservation around the world? The Indianapolis Zoo Global Center for Species Survival is looking for a passionate Plant Conservation Coordinator to support the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Plant Specialist Groups.

As part of the Global Center for Species Survival (GCSS), this role will work closely with the Indianapolis Zoo team, the Species Survival Commission (SSC) Chair's Office, the Plant Conservation Committee and Specialist Group Chairs, and wider partners. You will support the identification of priorities, challenges and opportunities across the management of conservation data and assessments, oversee the process of conservation planning, develop action plans, and support SSC network coordination, and facilitate interactions between various partner communities, individuals and groups.

What You'll Do

• With guidance from Chairs of plant Specialist Groups, encourage and motivate the SSC plant Groups to advance global species conservation efforts around the SSC Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate), with a specific focus on Plan, Act, Network, and Communicate.
• Gather and integrate knowledge and expertise into creating strategic proposals for approval, launching projects/initiatives, developing calls for action on specific species issues, and assisting in species-specific IUCN Resolutions and Recommendations.
• Contribute to and review formal, programmatic and communication documents as required, including periodic outcome and planning reporting to the SSC for the annual SSC Data process.
• Bolster collaboration across the SSC network and the constituent parts of IUCN, governments, the global botanic garden community, accredited zoo and aquarium communities and the wider conservation community to maximize the relevance and conservation impact of activities and joint projects for plant conservation.
• Build relationships with existing training programs, e.g., CLP, EDGE Fellows, Durrell Academy, to encourage emerging talent to integrate into the SSC network.
• Coordinate, implement and evaluate how the GCSS can engage with the public on issues relating to plant conservation, including locally through the zoo and globally through the development of resources, including social media communications, blogs and podcasts, graphics, and other emerging communication techniques.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor level degree in biology, ecology, botany, natural resources management or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
• Demonstrated experience and a good understanding of the practical aspects of biodiversity conservation actions and policy especially relating to plants.
• Working knowledge of the IUCN SSC, and leaders and stakeholders in plant conservation.
• Strong skills in project management, planning and project implementation.
• Experience with international projects and supporting new initiatives.
• International stakeholder management experience, multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience desirable.
• Evidence of experience working in / a deep understanding of international plant conservation related matters
• Experience in fundraising and/or demonstrated success in securing grants.
• Fluency in English a requirement. Fluency in other languages desired.

Why the Indianapolis Zoo?

The Indianapolis Zoological Society (IZS) is one of the largest privately funded zoos in the United States of America. As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution, the mission of IZS is to empower people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. IZS works to achieve this mission through visitation by over one million guests each year, annual support to many field conservation projects, and the world-renowned Indianapolis Prize. IZS has a monumental goal for its community, state, country and the world - to transform the Indiana community into the most conservation-literate community in the world, with Indianapolis being considered the epicenter for species conservation worldwide.

Employment at the Indianapolis Zoo is contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment testing including a background check, motor vehicle check (if applicable) and a drug test.