POSITION TITLE: ECOLOGIST JOB LENGTH: Full time annual appointment, renewable based on continued funding. COMPENSATION: $28,000-$30,000 per year, depending on experience JOB LOCATION: Helena, MT
SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) serves as the state's principle source of information on species, habitats, and landscapes of conservation concern. The Ecologist works closely with other staff ecologists, the botanist, database specialists, and public and private partners to document the distribution, dynamics, and management of Montanas ecological diversity. The Ecologist is a regular, full-time position supervised by the Ecologist/Projects Manager or Senior Ecologist, and may lead work teams or supervise interns, student employees, or volunteers as appropriate. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Principle duties include: 1) interpreting and classifying ecological systems in the field and through remotely-sensed imagery; 2) integrating data into spatial and tabular databases, and map layers; 3) conducting vegetation surveys in wetland, 4) carrying out QA/QC and hydrogeomorphic classification procedures on wetland maps; 5) producing assessments, reports, information summaries and maps for presentations, publications, and the internet; and 6) effectively representing MTNHP to partners, information users, and landowners. KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS: Bachelors degree in ecology, botany, wildlife biology, or range science; masters preferred. Experience in at least two of the following areas: wetland ecology, waterfowl ecology, hydrology, aquatic ecology, conservation biology, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, or community ecology. Minimum of two field seasons conducting field surveys and assessments. Knowledge of the vegetation and flora of the Rocky Mountains and Western Great Plains with an emphasis on wetland vegetation; demonstrated proficiency in vegetation survey methods. Expertise in the identification of wetland communities. Experience delineating wetland habitats. Demonstrated understanding of wetland classification systems, including the Cowardin (USFWS) system and the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) system. Experience using dichotomous keys to identify vegetation. Knowledge of wetland and riparian function, and the ability to crosswalk between classification systems to assign functions to specific wetland habitat types. Familiarity with quality assurance and quality control processes as they apply to photointerpretation and image analysis. Proficiency in working with databases and analyzing tabular and spatial data using statistical and GIS software. Demonstrated experience with ESRI GIS software, including ArcMap and Spatial Analyst. Experience with landscape assessment, aquatic classification, or the production of synoptic maps using digital elevation models, hydrology datasets, aerial photographs, LiDAR, remote sensing imagery, soils and geologic maps, and field data. Demonstrated experience using GPS in the field and importing and analyzing coordinates and other data. Familiarity with ERDAS/LEICA Imagine or E-cognition preferred. Demonstrated ability to implement and successfully complete projects on time and within budget, and in report or map production and presentation; ability to set and reach goals, and problem-solve effectively. Strong organizational skills, thoroughness, and attention to detail; initiative and ability to work independently and to lead project teams. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and an ability to build effective partnerships and collaboration with government agencies, academia and the non-profit sector. Willingness and ability to travel, especially during the field season, and to conduct long days of strenuous fieldwork, often alone and/or under adverse conditions or in remote areas. Ability to hike long distances (5-8 miles per day) over rough terrain carrying equipment and personal gear. Current driver's license and clean driving record required. COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING: Resolves complex issues independently within program area. Experiments to find creative solutions. Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines. Implements multiple projects. Acts as a resource to others to solve problems. Works within decentralized team environment. DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING: Opportunity to act independently. Makes sound decisions based on analysis of information, experience and judgment. RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY: Assist in the development of funding proposals for agency partners and outside sources. Identify time and effort necessary to complete proposed tasks, and ensure that work is completed on time and on budget. Gains cooperation from individuals or groups over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals. Identify opportunities for research funding, and pursue grants and contracts. May act as principle investigator on funded projects. May supervise contractors or volunteers on projects, or act as the work team lead on specific projects. COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS: Works and communicates effectively with a diverse group of people, including scientists, public agency personnel, program managers and others, providing and obtaining needed information. Writes and edits reports, publications, web content or presentations. Ability to function productively as a member or leader of a project or work team. Demonstrated experience in anticipating, analyzing and solving complex problems and in contributing to team problem-solving and decision-making session. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: Ability to work in variable weather conditions, remote locations and often in physically demanding circumstances. Valid drivers license, safe driving record, and current insurance. Ability to hike long distances (5-8 miles) over rough terrain carrying equipment and gear. Willingness to work occasional long hours or extended periods in an isolated setting. Work may require extreme physical exertion and/or physical strain to the point of fatigue. Work environment involves exposure to job hazards (including but not limited to wild and domestic animals, poisonous plants, falling trees/ rocks, and loose or uneven ground) where there is a possibility of injury. ADDITIONAL DUTIES SPECIFIC TO THE POSITION: Photointerpret aerial imagery to produce accurate, high quality maps of wetland and riparian habitats appropriately attributed by Cowardin and HGM classes, verify the accuracy of wetland maps, assess wetland ecological integrity, and provide professional and technical support for wetland assessment; Integrate and interpret multiple datasets into large-scale representations of vegetation characteristics of major watersheds or ecoregions. Perform office or field work as assigned relating to wetland assessment, inventory, mapping, and description. APPLICATION INFORMATION: Send cover letter, resume, and three references as an email attachment to: Karen Newlon, [email protected]. Review of applications will begin on April 26, 2010 and continue until position is filled.
