{"id":42340,"date":"2021-07-28T16:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T23:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/?p=42340"},"modified":"2021-07-28T16:16:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T23:16:00","slug":"job-conservation-social-scientist-arkansas-game-and-fish-commission-little-rock-ar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/job-conservation-social-scientist-arkansas-game-and-fish-commission-little-rock-ar\/","title":{"rendered":"Job: Conservation Social Scientist, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (Little Rock, AR)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Full Time<\/p>\n<p>Salary:\u00a0$54,021.00 &#8211; $54,021.00 Annually<\/p>\n<p><strong>Advertisement Closes:\u00a0Aug. 13, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>See full job and application details at <a href=\"https:\/\/jobs.agfc.com\/postings\/posting\/107\/\">https:\/\/jobs.agfc.com\/postings\/posting\/107\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Minimum Education and\/or Experience:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The formal education equivalent of a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology, zoology, botany, or a related field; plus three years of experience in biology, wildlife management,\u00a0 or a related field. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Human Resources Chief.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Preferred Education and\/or Experience:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The formal education equivalent of a master\u2019s degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Conservation Social Science, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, or related area.\u00a0 Candidate must have relevant experience with social science research, specifically, survey research methods and other techniques used for evaluation of program success. The formal education equivalent of a doctorate degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Conservation Social Science, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, or related field is highly preferred.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Knowledge of the principles of biology, ecology, and related environmental sciences.\u00a0 Knowledge of methods and techniques of scientific testing, data collection, and analysis. \u00a0Knowledge of the effects of pollution on plants, fish, animals, and human life.\u00a0 Knowledge of fish\/wildlife management programs, including propagation, cultivation, and harvesting techniques.\u00a0 Knowledge of wildlife\/fish management laboratory techniques, equipment, and procedures.\u00a0 Ability to communicate in oral and written forms.\u00a0 Ability to make public presentations.\u00a0 Ability to conduct scientific wildlife and\/or fish surveys\/studies, analyze and evaluate collected data, and prepare written narrative reports of findings.\u00a0 Ability to direct, coordinate, and maintain wildlife and\/or fish management programs.\u00a0 Ability to operate and maintain fishery and wildlife equipment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Preferred Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Knowledge of current human dimensions research approaches and applications.\u00a0 Knowledge and experience with current survey design, implementation, analysis, and reporting techniques. Knowledge of the principles of biology, ecology, and related environmental sciences. \u00a0Knowledge of game and fish management programs and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with a wide range of audiences.\u00a0 Ability to make public presentations.\u00a0 Ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of stakeholders including governmental and non-governmental entities, as well as members of the public.\u00a0 Ability to independently plan work unit objectives and execute operational activities.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Job Summary:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Biologist \u00a0Program Specialist is responsible for the management and life processes of fish, wildlife, and their habitats; collecting and analyzing biological data; and specializing in fish and wildlife research, management, husbandry, and\/or habitat management.\u00a0 This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Typical Functions:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Provides program and project supervision by developing program curriculums, monitoring facilities and personnel, and coordinating program maintenance and protocols.\u00a0 Makes recommendations on management, regulation, and planning of fish and wildlife populations and habitats, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.\u00a0 Studies characteristics of fish and wildlife, such as population dynamics, life histories, diseases, genetics, and distribution.\u00a0 Prepares collections of preserved specimens or microscopic slides for species identification and study of development or disease.\u00a0 Implements state and federal preventative programs to monitor and control fish and wildlife diseases and invasive, exotic species.\u00a0 Disseminates information by writing reports and making presentations to schools, clubs, interest groups, and agency administration.\u00a0 Promotes hunting and fishing through a variety of outreach programs.\u00a0 Directs the operation and management of various public lands, waters, and\/or fish propagation facilities, based on program management plans.\u00a0 May testify as an expert witness in legal proceedings.\u00a0 Performs other duties as assigned.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Specific Duties and Responsibilities:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This position is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, communicating and evaluating AGFC\u2019s social science research program and integrating that into natural resource management and policy to enhance the mission of AGFC. As such, this position will provide expert guidance and technical support to AGFC and its Commissioners on the human dimensions of conservation\/management issues. This position will represent AGFC at professional meetings related to human dimensions. This position serves as AGFC\u2019s expert in social science research and sampling methodology, coordinating with AGFC staff to develop and implement surveys, focus groups, interviews, data analyses, and other human dimensions techniques that help AGFC staff understand public behaviors, preferences, and trends related to conservation and management. This position leads research projects related to the AGFC\u2019s recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R-3) efforts to increase participation in outdoor recreation.\u00a0\u00a0 The position facilitates the incorporation of social science information into program policy decisions, operation planning and program evaluation, and ensures social science research priorities are consistent with agency needs. This position will use valid scientific methods to examine knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and other variables that affect human behaviors related to natural resource management, managers, research, and regulations. Specific duties and responsibilities include:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Aid in the development of effective communication strategies to help build understanding and support for program objectives and scientific evidence-based management decisions.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Use valid scientific methods to assess the efficacy of outreach programs and help develop future outreach strategies.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Use valid scientific methods to access perceptions of natural resource management, managers, research and regulations<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Aid in the agency\u2019s goal of recruiting, retaining, and reactivating individuals into the arena of conservation<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Coordinate and lead R-3 research initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Develop a range of communication materials that inform AGFC staff and commissioners, as well as the public, on the human dimensions aspect of fisheries, wildlife, and natural resource management.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Guide and facilitate citizen and staff engagement processes and meetings to address high priority issues.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Create and conduct scientific studies such that the resulting human dimensions data and findings will be incorporated into natural resource management decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Implement or create methodologies to assess, track, and evaluate social response to implemented regulations and identify areas of impact and success within the state.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Utilize and manage the agency\u2019s constituent registry to enhance communication, input\/feedback, and interaction with Arkansans to aid in the decision making process.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Coordinate with AGFC divisions to assist in the development of curricula for training staff on human dimensions principles, social science techniques, and\/or public engagement.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Performs other duties as assigned.<\/p>\n<p>All applicants are subject to a criminal background check.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Special Job Dimensions:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Frequent in-state travel required<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"ml-0\">Other Specific Information:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is currently seeking highly qualified applicants for a Human Dimensions Specialist position. This position will be housed in the AGFC&#8217;s Research, Evaluation and Compliance Division.\u00a0\u00a0 This division is a highly specialized unit which supports the AGFC and its divisions through exploration, evaluation and monitoring of best available science.\u00a0 We seek team-oriented applicants with ability and experience to engage in collaborative research and work across various departments, agencies, and disciplines. This position will apply theories, concepts, and methods from the social and behavioral sciences to natural resource management (i.e., fisheries and wildlife management, conservation, and\/or outdoor recreation) issues and policies to inform management actions of the AGFC. We seek applicants with research expertise in applied psychology, sociology, or related fields who investigate human interactions with natural resources and the environment. That focus should include the role of human behaviors, attitudes, social norms, etc. as they apply to evolving practices and policies in natural resource management and conservation. The Human Dimensions Specialist will manage a research program that applies social science theory and methods to natural resource management. The position will employ rigorous scientific and analytical methods to conduct stakeholder assessments and program evaluations. The position will engage in science communication and public outreach. The position serves as AGFC\u2019s expert in both the quantitative and qualitative methods of social science research projects (questionnaire design, survey implementation, data management, and statistical techniques). The position is expected to disseminate information relevant to scientific and land management audiences via technical scientific reports, policy briefs, peer-reviewed publication, and popular-press articles. Applicants should have experience with science communication, public outreach and engagement, and\/or social marketing. This includes experience conducting integrated research and outreach with diverse stakeholder groups.<\/p>\n<table class=\"table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>\n<p>Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and have a valid driver\u2019s license.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"mx-auto text-center\">\n<p class=\"font-weight-bold\">As an equal opportunity employer, the Commission will make any reasonable accommodations necessary to ensure equal employment opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3815,"featured_media":34097,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[14,15],"tags":[4,32,28,33,141,13],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42340"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3815"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42340"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42342,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42340\/revisions\/42342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/mesweekly\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}