*Ecologist with the Inventory and Monitoring Program, National Park Service*
The National Park Service seeks an Ecologist based in Fredericksburg, VA. This is a permanent federal position open to all U.S. citizens. For more details and to apply, please refer to the announcement on USAJobs at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/368687700 *Position Summary * As part of the Natural Resource Challenge, a service-wide, inventory and monitoring program has been developed to address the lack of credible scientific information available to parks on natural resources. As part of the strategy to implement natural resource monitoring throughout the National Park Service, parks with significant natural resources have been organized into 32 inventory and monitoring networks linked by geography and shared natural resource characteristics to facilitate collaboration, information sharing, and economies of scale in natural resource management. This is a permanent staff position for the National Park Service (NPS). The incumbent serves as a principal advisor and program leader in terrestrial and aquatic ecology for the Mid-Atlantic Network (MIDN) of the Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program. The incumbent will be the primary lead for coordination, development, implementation, data collection, analysis, and reporting for each of three (3) complex ecology monitoring programs, including vegetation, breeding birds, and benthic macroinvertebrates. *Specific Duties* Responsible for implementing monitoring programs based on sound ecological principles and the flora, fauna and the physical environment of the park and surrounding lands. Interprets the findings from the analysis of long-term data sets and defines the significance of population and ecological changes that are occurring. Coordinates the Network's monitoring programs in coordination with the nine member parks and partners on adjacent lands to ensure programmatic goals are achieved. Carries out program management duties by hiring, training, and supervising field technicians, developing work plans and schedules, tracking project funds and equipment, and preparing accomplishment reports, as needed. Conducts analysis of complex data, determining and documenting the significance of findings. Accomplishes data analysis in a way that is highly credible and meets scientifically acceptable standards. Summarizes new information for use by the scientific community, park staff, cooperators and partners. Performs data entry and carries out quality control checks on data collection and entry performed by others. Implements scientific monitoring protocols to identify, evaluate, and conduct long-term monitoring of ecosystem components, such as flora and fauna, and ecological processes. Incorporates appropriate database and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology into job to provide comprehensive and scientifically sound answers to inquiries from managers and others. Uses computer applications for data analysis, manipulation, and presentation. _________________________ Jim Comiskey, Ph.D. Northeast Region Inventory and Monitoring Program Manager National Park Service 120 Chatham Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-654-5328 (Tel.) 540-891-5169 (Fax) 703-258-2145 (Cell) http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/midn/ _________________________
