For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3418008/conservation-social-scientist-wms-2-permanent-01993-2022

Salary- $62,328.00 – $97,000.00 Annually

Our Conservation Social Scientist,

  • Will serve on interdisciplinary teams to incorporate social science perspectives in the Department’s decisions, policies, and actions. Engages with 3-5 internal cross-Program teams working on large, agency-wide initiatives and provides expert advice on using social science in natural resource conservation challenges to yield more effective, robust outcomes.

  •  Conducts, designs, and develops research to examine values and behaviors, social processes, and social phenomena associated with complex conservation management challenges. Through the use of qualitative and quantitative tools, seeks to understand public and stakeholder knowledge, perspectives and behaviors to inform development of management options and decisions.

  • Implement methodologies to evaluate and track social response to implemented programs, regulations, and processes.

  •  Serves as an in-house resource to senior managers seeking input on how to collect and incorporate social science information, whether via assisting with the development of RFPs for contracts for human dimensions of wildlife and conservation social science consultants or via developing research questions and survey instruments to integrate social science into Department efforts and decision-making. These tools may include public opinion surveys and public engagement processes that will inform durable decisions.

  • Maintains working relationships with staff across Program and Regions to expand conservation social science consideration in planning and decision-making and strengthens connections between the Department and conservation social science researchers.

  •  Communicates formally (group presentations, webinars, technical write-ups) and informally (one-on-one discussion, less technical blogs for wider audiences) on the use of conservation social science tools, resources, and research to address natural resources management challenges/questions, to increase conservation knowledge of laypersons. Present data utilizing visualization and story-telling techniques to incorporate and influence social science information and influence behaviors around conservation and the Department’s recreational and commercial opportunities.

  • Represents WDFW in conservation social science and human dimensions conferences and workshops to network and import new conservation social science tools and resources to address natural resource management challenges.

  • Participates in a community of practice (CoP) of allied professionals that are seeking to incorporate conservation social sciences into decisions and expanding social science capacity within WDFW. Counsels and mentors the development of colleagues.

  • Partners with the health industry, economists, and other social science disciplines to examine connections between human health and well-being and the outdoors; and apply conservation social sciences to WDFW’s environmental justice and equity issues.

  • Develops and executes plans to evaluate the statewide impact of current and future communications and engagement programs and processes.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:

  • Office environment.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days):

  • Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. Teleworking may be allowed upon annual approval of a plan; however, some routine in-office time will be required.

Travel Requirements: 

  • Infrequent overnight travel may be required.

Advanced university degree (Master of Science, or equivalent) in one or more of the following:

  • Conservation social science,
  • Ecopsychology, 
  • Human dimensions of wildlife management, 
  • Master of public health 
  • Psychology, 
  • or equivalent qualification. 

AND

Three years working on conservation social science analyses, integrating social science work in conservation forums, and presenting recommendations to agency leadership.

Demonstrable experience in developing and applying social science recommendations into natural resource management decisions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

PhD in conservation social science, human dimensions of wildlife management, ecopsychology, or equivalent qualifications.

Proficiency in data presentation utilizing both visualization and story-telling techniques to provide compelling arguments.

Experience with developing strategic initiatives, including the use of power mapping and sequencing of audiences.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.