As a part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Restoration Ecologist and Property Manager to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by promoting responsible environmental stewardship in the EcoLab and beyond. The College of Arts and Sciences at Marian University-Indianapolis seeks qualified applicants for a Restoration Ecologist and Property Manager to lead those aspects of the 75-acre Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is a full-time staff position and the incumbent will develop and enact a long-term plan for the restoration and management of this Jens Jensen designed historic property in collaboration with Faculty in the Department of Biology, part of the College of Arts and Sciences at Marian University, Indianapolis. Preference will be given to those with experience doing ecological restoration themselves and leading others in the practice, especially college-aged individuals. The successful candidate will be responsible for training student interns, volunteers, and other groups, collaboration with Marian University faculty and staff, and pursuit of external funding to meet restoration and management goals.
The Department of Biology at Marian University is a collaborative and growing academic community committed to fostering student engagement, problem solving, and communication. Marian University believes that to grow stronger it is essential to recruit and retain a diverse faculty and staff to build an inclusive community. Thus, we welcome and encourage applications across the intersections of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, political perspectives, cultures, and national origins.
Marian University is a Catholic, comprehensive, regional institution of higher education dedicated to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions and offers a multitude of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. One of Marian's sponsorship values is "responsible stewardship." The stewardship of the EcoLab project and other environmental and sustainability initiatives are essential to who Marian is as a Franciscan university.
The Marian University Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, originally part of Riverdale and the James A. Allison estate, was designed in 1911 by master landscape architect Jens Jensen. Included in our current 75-acres are a riparian forest and a series of spring-fed lakes and wetlands encircling a central meadow at the base of the bluff upon which the Allison Mansion stands. A comprehensive rehabilitation of the site was initiated in 2000 and continues today. The Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, open to the public, has successfully strengthened community bonds with the native Indiana environment by providing the community a natural area just a few miles from downtown Indianapolis. Marian believes there is great value in involving the community in the EcoLab project, especially our own students. This gives our students and others real-world job experience doing ecological restoration and property management while also creating a network of individuals committed to preserving, restoring, and maintaining natural environments in Indiana.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.
- Develop and enact a long-term plan for the ecological restoration and property management including historical architectural features of the 75-acre EcoLab, invasive species control, and maintenance of the 3+ miles of trails with the help of students, volunteers, and others while promoting the Jens Jensen aesthetic ecological restoration and landscape design ethic.
- Lead the EcoLab Internship program, giving designed, systematic hands-on experiences in ecological restoration, property management, and leadership to Marian students.
- Manage the EcoLab restoration, outreach, and intern budgets and purchasing
- Seek external funding to support work toward long-term management and restoration plans.
- Contribute to outreach activities such as social media, newsletters, and an annual native plant sale.
- Participate in the life of the campus.
Required Qualifications:- Commitment to the mission of Marian University.
- At least a Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, or related field and/or experience; Masters preferred.
- Significant experience in developing and implementing ecological restoration plans.
- Significant experience doing invasive species prioritization and control including with phragmites, phalaris, honeysuckle, lesser celandine, porcelain berry, garlic mustard, and others.
- Experience working with prescribed fire or leading prescribed burns
- Experience maintaining a tennis-shoe-walkable trail system including trail work, erosion control, boardwalk maintenance, and dealing with natural characters with differing priorities like muskrats and beavers
- An understanding and interest in the important history of this Jensen-designed landscape
- Ability to lead the restoration and maintenance of the historical and architectural features of the landscape
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and proven ability to lead college students.
- Ability and willingness to do physical labor, a proven work ethic and experience using power tools including brush cutters and chainsaws.
- Ability to conduct sustained, self-directed work with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work with colleagues and students of diverse backgrounds.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For Consideration All Applications Require:- Cover Letter
- Current resume or CV
- Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile.
- Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions.
Please Review Marian University's Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application:https://www.marian.edu/faithMarian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
