The North America Section of the Society for Conservation Biology is excited to announce the start of its 2022 Board Special Election for the President Elect position! The election ballot will close on Monday, November 7th.
The President Elect position is a critical role on the SCBNA Board, as the first in the ‘President-series’ – a 6-year total commitment: 2 as President-Elect, 2 as President, 2 as Past-President. The President-Elect serves on the Executive Committee of the SCBNA Board, chairs the Conference Committee, and provides support for the President, including filling in as needed.
Even though there is only one excellent candidate running for President Elect, we still need SCBNA members to vote! Thank you for voting in this important election!
It’s easy to cast your ballot:
- Go to the SCB website and log in to your member home page (click “Member Login” at the top of the page).
- On your SCB member home page, click the link for the North America Section Election in the blue box at the top of the page.
- Read the candidates’ profile on the bottom of the ballot.
- Cast your vote.
- After you select your candidate scroll to the bottom of the page and click “submit” to validate your vote.
Not a Member?
Learn more about the President Elect Candidate:
Rebecca Hufft, PhD
Board Position: President-elect
Dr. Hufft is the Associate Director of Applied Conservation at Denver Botanic Gardens, where she has overseen plant conservation projects since 2011. Prior to coming to the Gardens, she received her doctorate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California Santa Cruz, conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at Colorado State University, and served as a Senior Supervising Scientist at the National Ecological Observatory Network. She is a broadly trained conservation biologist whose research interests include restoration, urban biodiversity, ex situ conservation, long-term monitoring, and phenology. She co-chaired the North American Congress for Conservation Biology 2020 and has served as the Treasurer for SCBNA since 2020. She has enjoyed helping to shape society meetings and engaging with SCBNA members. As an SCBNA board member she has also participated in planning for the global organizational restructuring and looks forward to continuing to shape SCBNA as it moves through this transition. She would like to continue to support the organization and its mission by continuing to serve on the board as President-Elect, contributing her many years of research, education, outreach, and project management experience.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to the new SCBNA Communications Intern and Conference Assistant, Jules Duran!
Jules is currently applying to graduate programs focused on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Environmental Conservation. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech and is from Washington, D.C. She also has a background in wildlife field biology and social media analytics.
We are very excited to have her helping with SCBNA communications and #NACCB2022!
The SCBNA board and staff are pleased to offer a remote, part-time, 6-month (with option to extend to 12 months) paid communications internship with our Communications Committee. The aim of this position is to increase SCBNA’s capacity to communicate and interact with members and potential members. We seek applicants who have experience and/or education in communications, writing, social media, and/or marketing, as well as education or training in ecology and/or conservation biology. The successful candidate is expected to provide support on SCBNA’s social media accounts, as well as seek new and innovative ways to reach and interact with our diverse membership. Desired content across communication platforms will include updates and announcements, information about our biennial conference, the North American Congress of Conservation Biology (NACCB), and general conservation news and storytelling. The successful applicant may also assist with other communications outreach, such as e-newsletters and website content. Candidates who have experience in updating website content are highly desired. The intern will regularly interact with and gauge the online/communications needs of SCBNA members, will report directly to the Communications Committee Chair and Director of Operations, and may collaborate with other Communications Committee members. Regular meetings and communications with these parties will be required.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge and experience with digital communication tools, including social media platforms
- Interest, education, and/or training in ecology and conservation biology
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with graphic design, photography, and web-based design programs
- Creativity in communicating content in effective and unique ways
- Commitment to and experience with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives in conservation or related fields
TIME COMMITMENT: Five (5) to eight (8) hours a week for six (6) months with an option to extend to twelve (12) months with target start date in October 2021
COMPENSATION: $20 an hour, estimated 5-8 hours per week
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applicants should submit the following application materials electronically in a single pdf document to be considered for this position: Resume, cover letter, and names and contact information for two (2) references.
To apply, please email your application to Communications Committee Chair, Lauren Jonaitis, jonaitislauren@gmail.com.
Review of applications will begin September 13, 2021. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be directed via email to Lauren Jonaitis. The anticipated approximate start date for the internship is October 2021.
SCBNA is committed to increasing equity and inclusion within the field of conservation biology and in its board and staff members. To this end, SCBNA has an Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Officer on the board and an Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee. We offer grants to attend congresses, follow best practices in conference design (including such things as gender neutral bathrooms, providing a private place for nursing or other needs, providing sign language interpreters, etc.), run sessions on equity and inclusion at congresses, and are currently working on an Allyship program to increase the effectiveness of allies in addressing equity issues in the field of conservation. We recognize that this work will never be complete and we are committed to continually evaluating and improving our equity and inclusion work.
SCBNA is an Equal Opportunity Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories.
SCB North America is thrilled to welcome Alexis Canney, our new – and first – communications intern!
Alexis is a master’s student in conservation and restoration science at the University of California, Irvine. She has a background in nonprofit fundraising and environmental education. She received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Vassar College, NY and is from Brooklyn, NY.
We look forward to working with Alexis to increase SCBNA’s capacity to communicate and interact with members and potential members. You’ll be hearing from Alexis soon across SCB North America’s social media accounts (@scbnorthamerica) and via our newsletter and other communications. Welcome, Alexis!