[Srm] FW: Rangeland Ecologist Position Opening!

Wed Aug 27 12:54:16 MST 2014

________________________________
From: Rangeland Section at ESA [rangebiz at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:36 AM
Subject: Rangeland Ecologist Position Opening!

Outreach Notice

Research Rangeland Ecologist

GS-0408-13

 USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

Missoula, Montana

INTRODUCTION:

The Rocky Mountain Station will be advertising for a permanent full time position, GS-0408-13 Research Ecologist, to be located at Missoula, Montana. The position is targeted for a GS-13 Research Rangeland Ecologist and will be a team member in the Human Dimensions Program, within the Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT. The mission of this program is to provide scientifically rigorous research methods, knowledge, and results to improve the understanding and integration of social and economic values and effects with ecosystem processes in natural resource planning and decision-making for both public and private land management. The Human Dimensions Program is organized around four areas of research: 1) Resource forecasting, decision-making, knowledge integration, and risk management; 2)  Resource valuation and trade-off analyses applied to market and non-market forest and rangeland ecosystem services and land management; 3) Multi-stakeholder collaboration in resource management and conflict mitigation; 4) Socio-economic drivers behind ecosystem change and societal responses to forest and rangeland ecosystem management.  The scientist designs, conducts, reports in presentations and refereed publications, and transfers knowledge gained from ecological studies aimed at understanding and quantifying how rangeland landscape dynamics are affected by climate change, land use, human and natural disturbances, and management at local, regional and national scales. Central to this assignment is use of landscape ecology models, remote sensing and geographic analyses to generate and package results into decision-support tools that inform management and policy decisions at all levels of governmental and private organizations. In addition to these Program assignments, the scientist forms and leads research teams of national importance in response to policy (Congressional), department (Agriculture and Interior), and agency (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management) needs which shape major national programs, agency policies, planning efforts, and management actions.

DUTIES:

The unit requires a scientist with expertise in spatial analysis, landscape ecology and ecological modeling, with emphasis in rangeland environments. The incumbent will be involved in diverse research ranging from analyzing and modeling landscape vegetation and carbon dynamics and developing quantitative models describing vegetation response to climate, management and disturbance. The scientist will also provide critical expertise in spatial analysis and modeling of inter-annual variations of rangeland fuels and fire behavior potential.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and 4 years experience equivalent to at least a GS-12. See http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0400/ecology-series-0408/  for information on the minimum requirements for a Research Ecologist.

SPECIFIC SKILLS

Specific skills required for this position include research and publication experience in:

  *   Rangeland ecology, fire ecology

  *   Terrestrial ecological modeling, particularly from a rangeland ecosystem processes perspective

  *   Spatial modeling at local, regional and national scales

  *   Working with large spatial datasets to analyze spatial patterns (spatial analysis) and how it relates to ecological processes (e.g., impacts of climate change, oil and gas development, ex-urban development, and degradation)

  *   Expert level GIS and remote sensing analyses

  *   Background and specific familiarity with western US rangelands

  *   Excellent species identification skills and expertise of the biogeography of US rangelands

LOCATION: Missoula, Montana

Missoula is a thriving community with a population of  70,000 in the greater urban area and elevation  of 3,200.  As a natural outdoor playground it's unparalleled, and yet Missoula is one of the most dynamic cultural centers in the Northwest.  Home to the University of Montana, Missoula is also a major retail and medical hub in Western Montana and claims one of the nation's highest doctor to patient ratios.  A wide variety of specialty, discount, and budget shopping centers make Missoula the retail hub for an estimated 200-mile radius. The Missoula school system is considered excellent with three public and two private high schools, numerous elementary schools, a College of Technology and the University of Montana.  Missoula is not just about getting by, it's about getting better. For a small city, Missoula offers big possibilities in education, the arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and business ... and the opportunities continue to grow each year.  Missoula is about building trails at the heart of our city and extending them to outlying communities and into existing wilderness paths, connecting our business and personal lives with our inspiring natural environment. It's about respecting riparian and other natural areas while providing for parks and recreation.  Missoula is about the region's natural environment contributing to a sense of opportunity. Around each bend in a trail or road, over every hill, river or creek, there are new possibilities for discovery which compel Missoulian's to imagine what might be or could be.  Missoula is about vigorous world class health facilities and health education centers and a university which continues to grow in enrollment and acclaim. It's about respecting and encouraging personal growth and health and learning. It's about being a part of the world community through international civic relationships and about respecting individual and cultural differences.  Missoula is about vigorous growth in new construction and business and the generosity of those businesses to sponsor worthwhile community projects. Together as a community, we turn problems into opportunities. Missoulian's see their city expanding and elected officials seek community support to project and plan the growth.  Missoula is about knowing what makes our small city big and striving to preserve and encourage it.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: We anticipate officially announcing these positions in the near future.  Announcement will be posted on the U.S. Government's official website for employment opportunities at: http://www.usajobs.gov.

For additional information, contact Dr. Anne Hoover, Acting HD Program Manager, at 970-498-1193 or ahoover at fs.fed.us<mailto:ahoover at fs.fed.us>

USDA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
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