We are still accepting applications for this position, which was previously posted to Ecolog. We encourage interested candidates to apply.
In collaboration with the Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring program (Mojave Network I&M) of the National Park Service, the Desert and Dryland Forest Research Group at the University of Nevada Las Vegas seeks applicants for the position of Research Assistant. This position will involve developing protocols for the early detection, trend analysis, and treatment effectiveness monitoring of exotic plant species across seven national parks in the Mojave Desert. Exotic species are often considered second only to direct habitat loss in causing extinctions of indigenous species. In Mojave Desert national parks, invasive annual grasses and other exotic species are altering fire regimes, threatening native species recruitment, exacerbating effects of climate change on native biota, and reducing the visual appeal of park landscapes. These effects hinder abilities of parks to meet conservation objectives. Practical and cost- effective strategies are needed for reducing impacts of exotic species, and strong inventory and monitoring information is a key step in developing such strategies. The position will be primarily based at National Park Service offices in Boulder City, Nevada. Work also will be conducted on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. This position is a good fit for someone interested in applied research targeted to assist resource managers in developing monitoring protocols for actual on-the-ground management of exotic species on national park lands. The position will be based in one location, but will include interaction with all seven Mojave Network I&M parks: Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Great Basin National Parks, Parashant National Monument, and Manzanar National Historic Park. These parks collectively exceed three million hectares in size, and span an elevational range from below sea level in Death Valley to 4,000 m alpine mountains. Travel will not be a major component of the position, although data gathering and field visits may be conducted at several parks. This position will primarily involve office work �C synthesizing data, conducting literature reviews of exotic species ecology and monitoring protocols, working with GIS, and preparing reports and manuscripts �C but targeted fieldwork is expected to be a component. This position is a full-time, externally funded position contingent upon grant funding. The position is fully funded for one year and is authorized for funding for a second year pending satisfactory project progress and authorization from the Mojave Network I&M Board. The salary for the position is competitive and includes health/retirement benefits and 24 days of vacation/year. The candidate will become a member of the highly productive Desert and Dryland Forest Research Group, housed at the UNLV Public Lands Institute and Department of Environmental Studies. This group is coordinated by Dr. Scott Abella (http://faculty.unlv.edu/abellas2/) and includes a team of Research Assistants and graduate students. The group is producing 10-15 peer-reviewed publications per year and specializes in applied ecology with management implications for ecological restoration, revegetation, exotic species containment, and fire. Major funding sources include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Joint Fire Science Program. More information about our group is available from http://publiclands.unlv.edu/ddfrg/Home.htm The position is based in Boulder City, Nevada, with a population of 15,000 and distinctly separated from the Las Vegas Valley by a mountain range. Nearby Las Vegas is a large urban area, but is surrounded by millions of hectares of public land. Public lands accessible in less than a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas include the 600,000-ha Lake Mead National Recreation Area (National Park Service), 80,000-ha Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (Bureau of Land Management), 600,000-ha Desert National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), and the 130,000-ha Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (Forest Service). Plant communities span desert creosote scrub to high-elevation bristlecone pine forests. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound year round. Red Rock Canyon is a renowned rock climbing area, and winter activities are available on the high-elevation Spring Mountains. Kayaking and water opportunities are afforded by Lake Mead and the Colorado River. An extensive hiking and mountain bike trail system also exists in desert mountains accessible from the city streets of Boulder City itself and immediately adjacent to the office building where this position will be housed. These trail systems lead directly into Lake Mead National Recreation Area and BLM recreational lands. While not claiming that Las Vegas (separated from Boulder City to the west) is environmentally friendly, it does contain multiple Trader Joe’s and Wild Oats/Whole Foods. Their nearest locations in Henderson (eastern Las Vegas) are approximately 20 minutes away from Boulder City where the position is based. Responsibilities: The successful candidate will work with multiple stakeholders (users of the exotic species monitoring protocols including park managers) in addition to working closely with the UNLV PI, Dr. Abella, and Mojave Network I&M ecologists to develop protocols for monitoring exotic plant species on park lands. This effort will entail conducting literature reviews on key supporting topics (e.g., existing exotic species monitoring programs and key ecological topics like exotic species distribution patterns), synthesizing this information and preparing technical reports and publications, working with park and data managers to synthesize existing exotic species monitoring data available from parks within the Mojave Network, the ability to potentially conduct botanical/ecological fieldwork to refine and test the developed protocols, and attention to the details of writing standard operating procedures (e.g., how specifically plots/transects will be laid out, how photopoints will be taken) that explain how to implement the protocol. Good communication and writing skills are essential to this position, as is the ability to synthesize and analyze existing written and numeric data and produce reports. Qualifications: Required qualifications include an M.S. degree (completed as of December 31, 2008) in natural resources management, ecology, ecological informatics, or a related field with undergraduate and graduate GPA cumulatives of ≥ 3.0/4.0; coursework and experience in sampling design, statistical analyses, data synthesis, and GIS; a demonstrated commitment to produce written products as evidenced by the production of two or more technical reports or peer-reviewed journal articles (samples of written products of finalists will be reviewed); experience in working with multiple stakeholders to accomplish project objectives, which can be demonstrated through work experience or prior experience in collaborative project management; and experience in botany/plant ecology as demonstrated through coursework or project experience. To qualify for this position, the candidate must be able to obtain a Nevada driver’s license and pass a background investigation for access to National Park Service facilities and computers. Preferred qualifications include: a field-based M.S. thesis that included sampling plant communities or a similar applied research- based thesis; demonstrated experience in synthesizing existing data and scientific literature; one or more published, in press, or in review peer- reviewed publications; evidence of strong leadership skills and ability to coordinate and lead interactions among diverse stakeholders; experience with plant identification and taxonomy; research and project management experience in the desert Southwest and/or demonstrated experience with exotic species projects. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applications: Application materials must include a 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) the name, address, telephone, and e-mail address of 3 professional references. In the cover letter, applicants should summarize qualifications and experience as they relate to this position, since the initial review will serve to evaluate applicants based on documented, relevant qualifications and work experience. Materials should be addressed to Dr. Scott Abella, Search Committee Chair, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-2040, and are to be submitted via on-line application only at https://hrsearch.unlv.edu. For assistance with UNLV’s on-line applicant portal, contact Jen Martens at (702) 895-2894 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] UNLV is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity.
