Vacancy Announcement Open Dates: July 15 – July 28^th

See full job and application details at https://environment.uw.edu/career-opportunities/ecological-writer/

Description: The selected candidate will coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Land Management to develop a revised monitoring and translocation plan for Mojave Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at a regional augmentation site in Nevada. The revised plan will include updated information on the ecology, abundance, and distribution of tortoises in the area including environmental and habitat related conditions. The candidate will work closely with USGS scientists to review updated scientific information and management strategies to describe effective monitoring objectives and research goals related to anticipated environmental conditions and potential management actions (e.g., habitat restoration, predator aversion). The plan will include standardized and updated protocols and designs to collect scientifically rigorous data on a prioritized set of management and recovery objectives and will include a detailed work plan for future monitoring years.

The selected candidate will be paid directly with funds managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) sub-account and will not be employed by the U.S. federal government.

Location & Technical Requirements: Any Location – Telework Environment; Requirements – Must have access to computer, video camera and audio abilities, telephone, Microsoft office software, high-speed internet. No equipment provided.

Period of Work/Performance: 9/1/2021 – 12/31/2021

Schedule of Deliverables

• October 1, 2021: outline of the revised monitoring plan
• November 15, 2021: draft revised monitoring plan
• December 1, 2021: final revised monitoring plan
• December 15, 2021: finalized document formatting and review

Salary Range and Benefits: $50-$115/hr based on skillset/experience (NTE 496 hours; Subject to core progress, team communication, and deliverable review). Invoice & billing completed monthly. No additional benefit package provided.

Requirements:

• Experience in scientific technical writing (e.g. peer-reviewed publications, scientific reports, endangered species recovery and monitoring plans); Applicants with a background with Endangered Species is preferred.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Ecology or in one of the major natural sciences, Applicants with a background in tortoises or reptiles, preferred.
• Interest in and familiarity with the ecology, conservation and management of Mojave desert tortoises or similar species and their habitats.
• Interest in and familiarity with the Endangered Species Act and Endangered Species Recovery Plans and Permits.
• Experience living or working in, and/or knowledge of Mojave Desert, desirable.
• Knowledge of or experience with the Mojave Desert ecosystem including native flora and fauna and disturbance events (e.g. wildfire cycles, invasive species, etc.), desired.
• Experience in performing field work and applying methodological protocols for collecting field data.
• Experience in research design and implementation; Research with reptiles and tortoises is preferred.
• Experience in designing and performing field work and applying methodological protocols for collecting field data.
• Motivated, detail-oriented, self-starter that has the flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities and possesses strong organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience.

Application Instructions: Email interest letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and contact information for references to Kristina Drake and Mary Meyerpeter at kdrake@usgs.gov; mmeyerpeter@usgs.gov. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please include “Ecological Writer –Applicant” in the subject line.