CENTRAL VALLEY JOINT VENTURE
SCIENCE COORDINATOR (Fish and Wildlife Biologist, GS-401-12/13)
INTRODUCTION
The CVJV is a cooperative partnership of 21 Federal and State agencies and conservation
organizations that address bird habitat conservation needs for the Central Valley of California
which includes the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, San Joaquin Delta and the Suisun
Marsh and the entire watersheds thereof. The CVJV administrative area is a recognized priority
area under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), an international
agreement among the United States, Canada, and Mexico to conserve waterfowl. The CVJV also
provides habitat delivery for bird conservation through integration with the other major bird
conservation initiatives including Partners in Flight, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and
the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan. This integrated conservation for all birds is
the mission of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI).
The incumbent serves as the Science Coordinator for the Central Valley Joint Venture (CVJV),
within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region (Region 8) Conservation
Partnership Program, and is directly supervised by the CVJV Coordinator, under the Assistant
Regional Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs. The incumbent must hold at least a
Master’s degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resources management, chemistry or
related disciplines. The position is physically located at or near the Regional Office in
Sacramento California, which has the lead responsibility for coordination of the CVJV. The
primary responsibilities of the position are providing biological, water resources and landscape
planning expertise to the CVJV Management Board, directing the efforts of the CVJV Technical
Committee, and coordinating with CVJV and Migratory Bird staff in research, planning,
monitoring and evaluation for bird habitat conservation within the CVJV administrative area.
A.
MAJOR DUTIES
The Science Coordinator
 Serves as Chair of the CVJV Technical Committee; oversees, coordinates and
participates in research and landscape planning efforts leading to the development of a
stronger biological foundation directing waterfowl and other bird population and habitat
objectives within the CVJV. Research and planning activities focus on assessing
population response to conservation actions; scale-specific, population-based
conservation objectives; and mechanisms for adaptive refinement of CVJV objectives.

Provides science expertise and support to the CVJV in research, planning, monitoring and
evaluating bird habitat conservation projects associated with the full spectrum of avian
resources including the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP),
Partners in Flight, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, and the North American
Waterbird Conservation Plan in the CVJV area. Applications include the use of spatially
explicit bird population and habitat models, as well as socio-economic threats to the long
term health of avian populations.

Coordinates research supporting integrated biological planning of multiple species
initiatives at the Joint Venture, Pacific Flyway, regional, national, and international
scales.

Serves as the CVJV representative on the NAWMP National Science Support Team, and
represents the CVJV at other regional, national, and international technical meetings.

Utilizes geographic information system (GIS) technologies to enable interagency
coordination and to foster the development of a CVJV bird habitat conservation GIS
database. Evaluates the CVJV near term and long term data needs and works with FWS
staff and other CVJV partners in an effort to meet the CVJV’s GIS requirements.

Maintains liaison with research specialists from conservation agencies, organizations and
universities associated with the CVJV to exchange information and develop techniques
and methods related to habitat management, monitoring and evaluation.

Seeks out partnerships and funding opportunities with states, universities, nongovernment conservation organizations and other entities and individuals to garner
support and additional resources for the science initiatives of the CVJV.
B.
FACTORS
1.
Knowledge and Skills Required by the Position
Extensive knowledge and experience of a professional nature in theory, principles, and methods
of wildlife biology, plant and animal ecology, natural resource management, water resources,
and geo-spatial design in the fields of habitat conservation and restoration, wildlife management,
and related disciplines.
Extensive knowledge of research methods used in waterfowl, waterbird, shorebird, and landbird
conservation sufficient to provide influential recommendations, guidance and direction to
biologists from federal and state agencies, numerous conservation groups, and the CVJV
Management Board.
Expertise in creating and implementing plans which include resource inventory management
strategies, project objectives, implementation schedules, and evaluation systems.
Knowledge of the appropriate application of information technologies, databases, and programs
in wildlife research and conservation, especially statistical packages and geographic information
systems.
Extensive skills in communication and negotiation to include public speaking, writing,
organization and team-building needed to work collaboratively and effectively with a variety of
individuals and groups.
Broad-based knowledge of existing habitat conservation procedures and activities of Federal,
State, and private organizations, including land acquisition and land management policies and
programs.
Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of the North American Joint Venues, Flyway Councils,
North American Wetlands Conservation Act, North American Waterfowl Management Plan,
PIF, Shorebird and Waterbird Plan Committees.
Knowledge of efforts that will address potential impacts of climate change to habitat and bird
populations.
Experience with research and study design in a management context, and the ability to take
conceptual information and step it down to practical application.
Demonstrated history of successful grant writing and bringing partners together to meet science
and habitat challenges.
A working understanding of California landscapes, systems and migratory bird populations.
2.
Supervisory Controls
Incumbent will work under the general direction of the CVJV Coordinator. Supervisor defines
the work to be accomplished in terms of broad objectives and priorities. The incumbent operates
independently in determining research methods and planning techniques most appropriate for
accomplishing the broad objectives of the CVJV. Incumbent will also receive guidance from the
CVJV Management Board and Technical Committee in terms of general policies and attainment
of CVJV objectives. Incumbent defines the scope of the activity and parameters within which
assignments and products are completed. The incumbent proposes solutions and
recommendations which have considerable impact on waterfowl and the conservation and
management of wetland habitats, as well as influencing the direction of all bird conservation
within the Central Valley. Work of the incumbent is reviewed primarily in relation to
responsiveness to objectives and priorities as determined by the CVJV Coordinator, Management
Board, and Technical Committee.
3.
Guidelines
Guidelines exist in the form of broad technical policies and planning objectives of top level
management, together with public policy expressed in controlling laws and Congressional
mandates. The incumbent uses these guidelines, together with a well-rounded background in
migratory bird conservation and habitat management and related areas, to draw conclusions and
make recommendations affecting assigned activities. Guidelines are frequently vague, or lacking,
or not directly applicable and therefore a high degree of resourcefulness in interpretation is
required.
As the CVJV Science Coordinator, the incumbent assures that objectives of the Monitoring and
Evaluation Plan are current. The incumbent develops research procedures, models and guidance
for others to follow and modifies existing procedures, techniques, and guidelines or develops
new ones as needed. The Science Coordinator will also integrate bird conservation objectives
into Implementation Plan updates.
4.
Complexity
The work is highly complex. The incumbent uses scientific results, resourcefulness and
originality to develop approaches or solutions to problems that involve unique partnerships to
bird conservation and habitat protection and management. Incumbent is expected to weigh
technical resolutions against economic consequences, Service, State and local policies, and
management considerations in arriving at decisions that are consistent with the CVJV mission.
The incumbent must have the capability to work closely, openly, and respectfully with all project
partners, demonstrating a high degree of sensitivity and professionalism. While implementing
the recommendations of the CVJV Monitoring and Evaluation Plans, the incumbent will
frequently need to develop new approaches, methods, and techniques, compatible with other bird
conservation planning efforts.
5.
Scope and Effect
Purpose of the work is to provide technical expertise, and to coordinate research, planning and
evaluation of bird habitat protection and management activities in the CVJV. The incumbent’s
actions, decisions, and recommendations for accomplishing the objectives of the CVJV will
dictate the overall ability to achieve resource management goals of NAWMP and all other avian
bird groups.
The CVJV is striving to strengthen its biological foundation, focus on landscape scale
conservation, and broaden the scope of its partnerships. Whereas all three elements are important
for the continued success and evolution of the Joint Venture, strengthening the biological
foundation is perhaps the most critical in helping direct appropriate conservation activities to the
most important areas of need for waterfowl and other birds within the Joint Venture area. The
work of the incumbent will directly affect the overall success of the CVJV effort and the
Service’s effort to provide science-based national leadership in the conservation of all birds.
6.
Personal Contacts
The incumbent will work closely with the CVJV Coordinator, Management Board, and
Technical Committee, and USFWS personnel located at the Sacramento Field Office. The
incumbent will work closely and collaboratively with staff from the Landscape Conservation
Cooperative; USGS Western Ecological Research Station; the University of California, Davis,
and other research institutions. The incumbent will also work cooperatively with regional and
national staff in the Division of Migratory Birds, the Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, the
Pacific Flyway Study Group, the National Science Support Team, professionals in other agencies
and organizations, and with regional chairs and working groups of the major bird conservation
initiatives. Contact with the Joint Venture Technical Committee and other support teams is
continuous and varied.
Extensive contact will be regularly required with other Federal, State, provincial and private
organizations and individuals interested and involved in the protection, restoration and
management of bird populations and habitats.
Such contacts represent a broad range of private, state, federal, corporate and tribal conservation
agencies, organizations and universities involved in the planning and implementation of the
CVJV objectives. Extensive contact will be required with other federal, state, provincial, tribal
and private organizations and individuals interested and involved in the protection and
management of birds and their habitats.
7.
Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are with a broad range of partners to coordinate and guide research, planning and
evaluation leading to a strong biological foundation and decision support tools for bird habitat
conservation in the CVJV. Interaction will be required with both the research and management
community. Considerable skill in problem solving and conflict resolution is needed. Incumbent
must establish and maintain smooth working relationships. Contacts will be made to provide or
gather technical expertise and guidance; to incorporate current and future information into
procedures; to establish and maintain close liaison with key national, regional, and local
organizations and individuals; to identify and develop funding sources; and to develop new
concepts in the field of bird conservation. Contacts are intended to motivate wildlife managers
and administrators to incorporate effective principles of bird conservation conducive to improved
habitat conditions for birds into their programs and managed lands.
8.
Physical Demands
The office work is generally sedentary. However, there may be occasions where the work
requires some physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, lifting, stretching or
similar activities. The work requires average physical ability and dexterity. Frequent travel will
be required. On occasion the incumbent will be asked to conduct site visits and field evaluations
that may involve hiking, climbing and/or travel in boats or small aircraft.
9.
Work Environment
Position requires both office and outdoor work. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and
ventilated. Temperature and weather are normally moderate in the performance of outdoor work.
The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner.