The BEAT News – September 22, 2016

Thank you to Rachel Branch, producer of the television show Solutions Rising for including a “BEAT” series for people to learn more about the fracked gas pipelines proposed to bring gas from the fracking fields of Pennsylvania across New York, Massachusetts, and New England.

State Agency to Solicit Proposals for
Small-Scale Energy Storage

The state plans to fund up to half the cost of roughly 10 to 15 energy storage projects under an $11 million program sketched out Tuesday that aims to create 5 megawatts of storage. The effort is part of the state’s push to grow a whole new area of the energy market, which the Baker administration believes could store 600 megawatts by 2025. Dubbed the Advancing Commonwealth Energy Storage, or ACES, program, the funding could range from about $100,000 to more than $1 million per project, according to Stephen Pike, the interim CEO of the Clean Energy Center, who said a request for proposals would go out later this fall. By Andy Metzger, STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE, SEPT. 20, 2016

Hard work, Real Fun: Source to Sea Cleanup
Celebrates 20 Years of Cleaner Rivers

The Connecticut River Watershed Council’s (CRWC) 20th annual Source to Sea Cleanup, taking place this Friday & Saturday, September 23 & 24, will feature a number of fun activities for participants in addition to the trash cleanup. Source to Sea Cleanup volunteers remove tons of trash along rivers, streams, parks, boat launches, trails and more in all four states of the Connecticut River basin (NH, VT, MA, CT). You are invited to join the fun and be part of the tremendous effort for cleaner rivers.

Public Invited to Habitat Site Walks on MassWildlife Lands

MassWildlife Ecologists and Foresters will lead a series of habitat site walks on MassWildlife lands to highlight active habitat management projects in recent years. These management projects and others scheduled for the future are aimed at improving habitat for rare and declining animals and plants along with game animals. These site walks allow the public to learn about the management being done on state lands, to learn why different management practices are chosen, and to understand the resulting impacts on wildlife. Landowners interested in managing their property for wildlife may find these habitat walks particularly useful.

The Power of Water / The Power of Words

On Thursday September 29th from 5:30 to 7:00 the River Garden (157 Main Street) will host a lively and informative free public celebration of The Power of Water / The Power of Words. This joint project of the Connecticut River Watershed Council and Art & Dialogue has been collecting the public’s aspirations for the future of the Connecticut River. Because five hydropower facilities that stretch from Montague, MA to Wilder, VT are currently being relicensed the public has a unique opportunity to have a say in how these facilities will be operated for several generations. Hydropower facilities on the Connecticut River generate renewable energy but also significantly impact migratory fish passage, habitat for many species including endangered short nose sturgeon, as well as causing significant erosion of riverbanks along the 200 miles impacted by these five facilities. Hydropower facilities also impact recreational opportunities in many ways – positive and negative.

Refrigerator & Freezer Recycling

Get $50 back when you recycle your old fridge or freezer with Mass Save! Unit must be picked up by December 31st, 2016. Open to legal residents of MA, age 18 or older, who are current residential electric customers of one of the participating sponsors. Refrigerators and freezers must be in working condition. The unit must be between 10 cubic feet and 30 cubic feet in size, using inside measurements.

Connecticut’s Clean Energy Moment

Connecticut is having a clean energy moment — one that could launch a new wave of progress if the right policy decisions are made. This opportunity comes as somewhat of a coincidence. Two key planning processes, the Governor’s Council on Climate Change and the state’s 2016 Comprehensive Energy Strategy, will likely intersect this year, with each issuing important policy findings in the coming months. These findings will guide the state’s actions on fundamental climate and energy issues for many years — with lasting consequences for Connecticut’s economy, public health, and environment. Acadia Center/Blog, August 30, 2016.

GIS Consulting Services

Request for Qualifications: GIS Consulting Services
Columbia Land Conservancy
Release date: August 25, 2016

Introduction: The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) seeks GIS services including data compilation, analysis, and mapping. CLC is working with a network of conservation organizations in the four-state Berkshire-Taconic region, the Berkshire-Taconic Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP). The services provided by the selected GIS consultant will support the RCP in collaborative conservation planning. The process is being overseen by a working group, coordinated by CLC. CLC will contract with the GIS consultant and be the primary contact with the consultant. The budget for this contract will be capped at$14,875.

Purpose: The purpose of this RFQ is to solicit the services of a qualified GIS analyst(s) to provide mapping and spatial analysis desired for the RCP to identify potential focus areas and spatially-explicit conservation priorities and to produce maps depicting the conservation values of the Berkshire-Taconic region which encompasses parts of four states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. (See attached boundary map.) Scope of Services: The contracted services will assist in the RCP’s evolving conservation planning process during the project period. On selection, CLC and the GIS consultant will develop a mutually agreeable scope of work. At minimum, the GIS consultant will produce the following deliverables: • A series of maps of conservation values, including farmland, water features, and organization service territories, and an integrated protected open space parcel layer, among other features at the regional level and within sub-regional geographic areas, with all data sources appropriately credited. Any digital datasets are to be fully documented with metadata detailing source data and methods of developing final data products; deliverables will include map package files for the final maps;• Display-quality maps, finish copies able to be printed at high resolution on ARCH36” wide, of the four-state Berkshire-Taconic region, showing conservation values and features for a public audience. All final electronic files (including shapefiles, mxd files and pdfs) are to be delivered to CLC. The GIS consultant will be overseen by staff at CLC, and will, as needed, participate in conference calls or, if possible, in person meetings with the working group. All work should be completed in the ArcGIS version 10.4.

…READ FULL REQUEST FOR QUALiFICATIONS HERE.

MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Member Positions

MassLIFT-AmeriCorps was established in 2010 by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust as a collaboration of regional conservation organizations seeking to engage with more people and do more community conservation projects. The mission of the Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT-AmeriCorps) is to strengthen and grow the land conservation movement by developing the next generation of land trust leaders and mobilizing them in every MA community. Our vision is one where the benefits of land conservation reach every community and are meaningful for all people.

This year, 36 MassLIFT-AmeriCorps members will serve at 21 different host sites (including urban conservation and community gardening/food systems non-profits) across Massachusetts as Land Stewardship Coordinator, Regional Conservation Coordinator, Youth Education Coordinator, or Community Engagement Coordinator. Members create and accomplish projects that increase their host site’s capacity, educate people in environmental stewardship, engage people in volunteerism, and include new constituencies. Specific activities vary by host site.

People of color strongly encouraged to apply. AmeriCorps programs provide equal service opportunities. MassLIFT works to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to any particular status. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request. The program runs 8/29/16 – 7/28/17. More info at masslift.org.

MassLIFT-AmeriCorps Operations & Communications Coordinator, full-time staff position, available Sept/Oct

MassLIFT-AmeriCorps was established in 2010 by Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust as a collaboration of regional conservation organizations seeking to engage with more people and do more community conservation projects. The mission of the Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT-AmeriCorps) is to strengthen and grow the land conservation movement by developing the next generation of land trust leaders and mobilizing them in every MA community. Our vision is one where the benefits of land conservation reach every community and are meaningful for all people.

The Operations and Communications Coordinator (OCC) supports the MassLIFT-AmeriCorps program vision on a statewide scale. Reporting to the MassLIFT Program Director, the OCC manages member recruitment and onboarding, communications and marketing, and day-to-day administration of program operations.

We’re aiming to fill this position in September/October 2016. MassLIFT-AmeriCorps may spin off as a separate nonprofit between Fall 2016 and Summer 2017, in which case program headquarters would likely move to Lowell, MA. Applicants should be prepared and willing to relocate to be able to work out of a Lowell office. View the complete position description and application instructions at masslift.org.

Experienced Solar Technician

About Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS)
Since 1985 our mission has been to install safe, efficient & durable PV systems. We are looking for an Experienced Solar Technician to join our team! BPVS is fully licensed (MA HIC 131996) and insured for commercial, institutional and residential PV systems. All of our installations are fully permitted and approved. BPVS has helped pave the way for PV acceptance by installing the first solar electric systems in over 90 jurisdictions and several utility territories. Office Phone: 413-743-0152.

Job Duties

PV installation tasks

Qualifications

At least 2 Years working in solar field
10 Hour OSHA Card
Drivers license (with a clean record)

Plus but not required:
CSL
NABCEP Certified
Experience working with AutoCAD

Send resume & cover letter to Becca Martin at Becca@bpvs.com

Rebecca Martin
BPVS (Berkshire Photovoltaic Services)
46 Howland Ave
Adams, MA 01220
Tel: 413.743.0152
Fax: 413.743.4827
www.bpvs.com

Research Scientist – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Albany, NY

Category: Research Foundation
Department: EFB
Locations: Albany, NY
Posted: Jun 27, ’16
Type: Full-time
About College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Founded in 1911, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the nation’s oldest and most respected school dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies and building a sustainable future. The ESF main campus is in Syracuse, NY and has regional campuses throughout Central New York and the Adirondack Park. ESF consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Peterson’s Guide, The Washington Monthly, Princeton Review and other national college guidebooks.

Job Description:

Title:  Research Scientist

Department: Environmental and Forest Biology

Salary: $50,000 minimum

Duration: Through March 2018, with likely continuation through March 2023

Location: Albany, NY (New York State DEC Headquarters)

Brief Description of Duties:  This position will work closely with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Wildlife (BOW) staff and will function as the BOW’s Data Scientist.  This position will assist the Game Management Section with annual monitoring efforts by maintaining current systems in antiquated database software (i.e., Visual FoxPro and Turbo Pascal) while simultaneously working to upgrade the programs in a modern data analysis language (i.e., R or Python) and database platforms (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, sqllite, or MS Access). The position will seek opportunities to streamline and automate the workflow and data flow involved in annually recurring surveys conducted by the Game Management and Wildlife Diversity Sections.

The Research Scientist also serves as a consultant to BOW staff throughout the state and research collaborators, providing direct support with statistical analyses, guidance on sampling designs, evaluation of project proposals to ensure statistical validity, assistance with preparation and review of technical reports and manuscripts, and response to data requests from staff and the public.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Oversee annually recurring deer harvest estimation. This is a major project and involves validation of all input data sources (e.g., harvest reports from hunters, biological data from field checked deer, etc.), statistical analyses (descriptive and inferential), development of summary tables, and appending estimates to several long-term databases and spreadsheets.
Oversee data validation and analysis of annual data collection from a variety of wildlife observation surveys (e.g., bow hunter sighting log, big game hunter survey, grouse and turkey hunter logs, drumming surveys, incidental sightings) to monitor relative abundance of deer, bear, moose, turkey, selected furbearers, and other game and non-game wildlife species statewide. Evaluate and refine as appropriate.
Provide technical guidance on data management systems, maintain and update computer programs used to analyze survey data, and help identify and correct sources of errors that occur in telephone, internet and scannable form reporting systems.
Provide statistical expertise and consultation for design and analysis of wildlife population research, user surveys, and monitoring programs and evaluate those surveys and programs after implementation.
Provide user-friendly reports and data queries from the above surveys as needed for public information or management purposes.
Assist BOW biologists in the preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports.
Train and supervise support staff to assist with data quality assurance and validation procedures.
Travel around New York State as needed to meet with and make presentations to regional staff, other professionals, and wildlife management stakeholders.
Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree and two years of professional research experience, OR a Master’s Degree and one year of professional research experience, in biometrics, biostatistics, data sciences, wildlife population ecology or related field.
Expertise MS Access and with one or more statistical programming language such as R, Python, and/or SAS.
Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships and collaborate with diverse personalities on project teams.
Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree and two years of professional research experience, OR a PhD, in biometrics, biostatistics, data sciences, wildlife population ecology or related field.
Proficient with a version control system for software development (e.g., Git, Subversion, etc.)
Familiarity with Turbo Pascal and/or MS Visual FoxPro
Proficient at writing custom functions and/or packages in R and/or Python
Strong familiarity with relational databases and proficient using SQL
Experience developing dashboards such as RShiny Flex Dashboards, ArcGIS Dashboard for Operations, Rbokeh, Python bokeh, etc.
Proficiency with likelihood-based and Bayesian inference.
Experience working closely with state or federal wildlife agency staff.
Advanced user of ArcGIS for Desktop.
Additional Information: In accordance with the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act” institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: http://www.esf.edu/univpolice/crimereports/

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, the Research Foundation will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin and veteran or disability status.

Application Instructions:

Date to Be Filled: August 1, 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Application Deadline: Although the college will accept applications until the position is filled, interested candidates should submit their materials by July 15, 2016 to ensure optimal consideration.

Application Procedure: Employment application must be submitted on-line.  Be sure to include contact information for a minimum of 3 references in your resume/CV.

APPLY HERE.

Weekend Visitor Services Staff

Location: Lenox, MA
Sanctuary: Pleasant Valley

Responsible for staffing the admissions office, Sundays, 10am – 4pm and some Monday holidays, greeting visitors, answering telephones, selling books, gifts, and bird feeders, processing registrations for programs, events and camp and generally representing Pleasant Valley and Mass Audubon to the public.

If you are looking for a part time position, have a love of nature, and enjoy sharing that enthusiasm with our visitors, this is a great opportunity for you. This is a year round position, however seasonal applicants will also be considered.

Qualifications

  • Friendliness, tact, dependability, enthusiasm and a desire to work with people.
  • Ability to deal with the varied pace of a public attraction necessary (there can be over 400 visitors on a busy day).
  • Experience with handling money, using a cash register and credit card machine.
  • Ability to take responsibility for office without additional staff.
  • Customer service experience preferred.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn basic computer programs.
  • An interest in natural history is helpful, natural history background a plus.
  • Must pass a background records check (CORI and SORI).

Compensation and Benefits – Rate of pay $10-$11.00/hr

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter to:

Marianne Hall, Office Manager
mhall@massaudubon.org
Job# 2763

 

 

 

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