RESTORATION ECOLOGIST
LOCATED IN SPRINGFIELD OR CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS
This is a regular, academic professional, full-time grant supported 12-
month position, renewable annually based
upon satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding. The
estimated starting date is August 1, 2017
(slightly negotiable). A valid driver's license is required for this
position.
Primary Position Function/Summary: Conduct research related to optimal
decision making with restoration
objectives for imperiled freshwater mussels of Illinois, including
assisting with development of statistical models
of ecological systems and solving conservation problems for restoration
of imperiled freshwater mussels of
Illinois.
Major Duties and Responsibilities: Investigate optimal restoration
actions for freshwater mussels in Illinois using
a decision web. Contribute to efforts to build a BBN using existing data
sets, professional opinion, and newly
collected data to guide and inform future steps in the recovery process
of freshwater mussels. Supervise
assigned staff, which includes task assignment, ongoing performance
management with coaching and
feedback, and leave/travel approval. Collaborate regularly with
biologists at the Illinois Natural History Survey
(INHS), the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in
Springfield, IL, Openlands, and other
stakeholders. Under the direction and approval of the Survey Director
and/or university official, may participate
in outreach activities to benefit the mission and visibility of the
Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research
Institute, and University of Illinois. As time and the contract(s)
permits to buy out contract service, may seek and
carry out independent research; apply for and obtain extramural funding;
report findings in scientific journals and
at professional meetings; provide technical information in area of
expertise; make presentations to service,
nature or science groups, schools, or other public meetings; and serve
professional and scientific societies in
such duties as reviewing or editing papers, moderating panels, and
serving as a committee member or officer.
Some travel and field work is anticipated, with occasional overnight
stays.
Education: Required: Master’s degree in ecology, natural resource
management, biometrics, fisheries biology,
conservation, or a related field. Alternate degree fields will be
considered/accepted depending on the nature and
depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Preferred: PhD,
or a combination of Master’s degree with at
least 4 years’ experience in aquatic ecology or related field.
Experience: Required: Ecological background with some biostatistical
experience, including work with R or SAS.
Must have experience with management of large data sets, experience with
ESRI products, and habitat
assessment knowledge. Experience supervising hourly technicians.
Preferred: Experience with decision-making
networks and related software (e.g., Netica). Experience making
presentations at scientific meetings is
preferred, along with a proven publication record. Field experience with
aquatic systems, particularly sampling
for freshwater mussels, is desirable.
Training, Licenses or Certifications: Required: Valid driver’s license,
ability to swim.
Knowledge Requirements: Required: Effective personnel relations,
organizational, decision-making, and
leadership skills. Ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders and
agency personnel. Demonstrated ability
to perform effectively with a professional demeanor in a diverse and
fast-paced work environment consisting of
multiple and changing priorities, under minimal supervision. Sound
judgment. An attention to detail. Proficiency
with commonly-employed software and databases.
Salary: $40,000 to $50,000, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Generous vacation and sick leave. State Universities
Retirement System. Group health, dental, vision
and life insurance.
Applications must be received by Aug 6, 2017. To apply, all candidates
must submit an online profile through
https://jobs.illinois.edu by the close of the posting period. Qualified
candidates must upload a cover letter
detailing qualifications and skills; curriculum vitae; and the names,
addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail
addresses of three professional references. All requested information
must be submitted for your application to
be considered. Incomplete information will not be reviewed. Applications
may be reviewed prior to closing.
For further information please contact Angela Young, Human Resources,
Illinois Natural History Survey, 217-
244-7793, [email protected]. For technical questions, please contact:
Alison Stodola at [email protected].
The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all
candidates upon acceptance of a
contingent offer.
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is part of the Prairie
Research Institute (PRI) at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), centrally located between Chicago,
St. Louis, and Indianapolis. PRI
houses 5 large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise
including biology, water resources, climate,
geology, sustainable technology and archaeology. The UIUC is a large
campus with many opportunities and
programs. The twin cities offer a variety of features including
theaters, museums, restaurants, concert venues,
parks, and recreation facilities. The expanding industrial and business
commerce throughout the area is an
exciting proposition for Urbana-Champaign, yet we still are able to
preserve a small-town feel. Even with this
growth, the area maintains a sense of community with smaller,
established neighborhoods dominating the
interior of both towns, while larger suburban housing is available on
the outskirts. There are also delightful small
towns within 20 miles of campus. The commute to work is not an issue in
Urbana-Champaign! Most employees
live within a 20 miles radius, and are able to make the trek within 20
minutes. We also have a world-class transit
system that is free to employees. Our area also has the pleasure of
experiencing all four seasons, with average
winters and summers in comparison to other US locales. The local public
schools within C-U and surrounding
areas offer a wide range of gifted programs, and there are several
private schools within the area.
The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action
employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with
disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit
http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University’s
commitment to diversity, please visit
http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu
