[ECOLOG-L] Job: Research Ecologist / Invasive Species Team Leader, Hilo, Hawaii

[David Inouye]

*****OUTREACH NOTICE*****

USDA FOREST SERVICE
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION
INSTITUTE OF PACIFIC ISLANDS FORESTRY
Title: Research Ecologist / Invasive Species Team 
Leader                            Duty Location: 
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry
                                                                                                                                                    Hilo, 
Hawaii

Series:  Research Ecologist 
GS-0408-13/14/15 
Grade: GS-13/14/15

The Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry located 
in Hilo, Hawaii will be advertising for a term 
research ecologist (13 month and renewable up to 
4 years) who will also serve as the Team Leader 
of the Invasive Species Team.  The research focus 
of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry 
centers upon studies in the forests, mangroves, 
savannas, and grasslands throughout the 
US-affiliated islands of the Pacific.  Hawaii and 
the Pacific Islands have remarkable degrees of 
species endemism but unfortunately more 
threatened and endangered species than any other 
state.  Invasive species are among the greatest 
threats to island biodiversity.  Currently, more 
than 1100 exotic plant species are spreading 
through the Hawaiian landscape.   The Forest 
Service – IPIF has created a powerful science 
team to address research needs in invasive 
species ecology and management.  The Invasive 
Species Team provides new information on the 
ecology of invasive plant species; their impacts 
on the health, management, and restoration of 
native forested tropical ecosystems of Hawaii and 
the Pacific Islands; and ways in which their 
populations might be limited by development of 
biological control agents and effective land management

DUTIES:    The Scientist will have expertise and 
research experience in plant population, 
community, and/or landscape ecology. The 
scientist will lead, plan, and conduct ecological 
research in terrestrial tropical landscapes of 
the Pacific Islands.   Research will focus on the 
ecology, impacts, and control of invasive plant 
species of tropical ecosystems.  Experience with 
interdisciplinary research, grant writing and 
publishing is essential.The scientist/team leader 
leads the Invasive Species team comprised of 
scientists and technical support staff, who 
address the complexity of invasive species 
research through a variety of experimental and 
theoretical approaches.   The Invasive Species 
Team leader is also a member of the Institute’s Leadership Team.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work will be conducted in the 
field, lab, greenhouse and office. Field work 
will be conducted in tropical forests, 
grasslands, shrublands or savannas and may 
necessitate travel and work for extended periods 
of time on remote islands.  Field work will 
require standing, walking, hiking and strenuous data collection

For any technical questions regarding the above 
position, please contact Flint Hughes, Research 
Ecologist, at the Forest Service: 
fhug...@fs.fed.us or by telephone at (808)933-8121 Ext. 117.

The position will likely open in June 2008 and 
will be posted at www.usajobs.opm.gov
 If you would like to be notified when the 
position is advertised, please complete the 
attached form or send an expression of interest 
with your contact information and send to:  cgiard...@fs.fed.us or mail to:
Attn: Flint Hughes
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USDA Forest Service
60 Nowelo St.., Hilo, HI 96720.