State Lands Ecologist, Natural Resource Scientist 2 (NRSci2)

Recruitment #2024-1-P437
Full-time, Project, Represented position
Anticipated Project employment is February 2024-June 2025 (Contingent on funding, may be extended or converted into a permanent position)
Location: Natural Resources Building- Olympia, WA
Location flexibility may be available and considered
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $4,497.00 – $6,046.00 Monthly 

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 1/19/24. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Join the Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP) as an Ecologist and you will have the opportunity to work in the diverse array of ecosystems distributed across our beautiful state—from coastal rainforests to bogs to shrub-steppe. Your work will contribute to the programmatic mission of cataloging the plants, animals, and ecosystems of Washington and prioritizing their conservation needs.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Lead Ecologist, you will play an integral role in protecting Washington’s biodiversity. Specifically, you will assist with the development and implementation of a climate change vulnerability assessment method for Washington’s wetland ecosystems, using NatureServe’s Climate Change Vulnerability Index to assess rare plant species, conduct surveys to identify high-quality examples of Washington’s ecosystems, assist with the delineation of Essential Conservation Areas across the state, and assist DNR programs and external partners in meeting their conservation objects.

Your work will take you across Washington State into varied landscapes, including rough terrain without trails, and in a variety of weather conditions, from cold and wet to hot and dry. From April through September, you will typically spend a significant amount of time in the field, including overnight trips ranging from one to four nights. However, this can vary depending on the projects we are working on. During the rest of the year, fieldwork and/or travel are much less frequent while time spent on data management, data analysis, and report/proposal writing increases.

In this position, you will also use your excellent verbal and written skills to communicate, advise, collaborate, and network with our conservation partners within DNR, other state agencies, federal agencies, land trusts, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders interested in the conservation of Washington’s biodiversity.

The Ecologist participates in and collaborates with, the network of natural heritage programs (NatureServe), both nationally and internationally. Additional duties may include outreach efforts to other agencies and organizations regarding plant conservation issues and topics, including making land management recommendations. This individual will participate in a variety of collaborative conservation planning efforts.

Duties

Responsibilities:
As a member of the WNHP’s Ecology team, you will coordinate with the Lead Ecologist in accomplishing the following:

• Conducting scientific literature searches
• Completing climate change vulnerability assessments for rare plant species and wetland ecosystems
• Describes vegetation composition and structure, disturbance history, environmental features, and landscape setting of ecosystem occurrences
• Applying rapid, field-based method to assess ecological condition
• Collect, manage, and analyze vegetation plot data using quantitative techniques
• Delineating conservation site boundaries in GIS
• Data management
• Assist in producing reports and other deliverables for Program projects
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a statewide vegetation/ecosystem classification, which provides the framework for ecosystem conservation and information storage
• Assign conservation status ranks to ecosystem elements
• Identify inventory priorities for native ecosystems in Washington
• Assist partner agencies and programs in meeting their conservation and management goals
• Performs other duties related to ecosystem and rare plant conservation as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in natural science AND three years of professional research. Relevant experience includes professional work experience in botany, vegetation ecology, ecosystem analysis, forestry, range science, environmental science, or other closely related field.
  OR A Master’s degree in the field of major study was in botany, plant ecology, vegetation ecology, ecological assessment, or forestry-related field AND one year of professional research. Relevant experience includes professional work experience in botany, vegetation ecology, ecosystem analysis, forestry, range science, environmental science, or other closely related field.
  OR a Ph.D. degree will substitute for all of the required experience, provided the field of major study is in botany, plant ecology, vegetation ecology, ecological assessment, or forestry-related fields.
• Experience identifying plant species using technical keys.
• Experience with ecological and rare plant field inventory methods, assessing ecosystem characteristics, and vegetation/ecological monitoring techniques.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention requests are followed.
• Ability to provide leadership on projects, including those involving formal teams as well as those involving informal work groups.
• Ability to communicate clearly to land managers (and other decision-makers) the biological and ecological information important to their decision-making.
• Knowledge of existing vegetation/ecosystem classification schemes.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• The position includes a mix of office and fieldwork. Fieldwork requires a physical ability to work alone in undeveloped, remote, forested, or backcountry landscapes and terrains. Fieldwork often consists of walking cross-country through rugged terrain in variable weather conditions, including cold and wet to hot and dry. The office environment is one of cubicles for each employee; some cubicles have windows while others are located in the interior of the building. This position is located on the 4th floor of a 6-story building. While working in the office, a majority of the employee’s time will be spent on a personal computer and/or meeting with other staff members. Fieldwork is generally, although not exclusively, during the period from mid-March through mid-September and may involve periods of up to 5 consecutive days away from Olympia. The fieldwork for this position can be anywhere in the state, often requiring several hours of travel from Olympia to get to the area where the fieldwork is to be performed. Fieldwork is often performed alone.
• Extensive travel during the field season (generally from March through September) to conduct field inventories, surveys, and monitoring throughout the state. Occasional out-of-state travel may also be required. Because the position involves working on projects that external parties often fund, there will likely be occasions when evening and/or weekend work will be necessary.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.