Two positions available with the Missouri Department of Conservation Resource Science Division Forest Systems Field Station
Titles: 1) Applied Forest Ecology Research Assistant 2) Applied Forest Ecology Research Technician Location: Missouri, statewide Job category: full-time, temporary Pay rate: 1) $10.83 per hour (Research Assistant) 2) $9.86 per hour (Research Technician) Duration: 18 July 2016-18 July 2017, with possibility of continuation pending annual review Application deadline: 27 June 2016 Description of work: These positions comprise a two-person team that is responsible for field research activities and office data entry on multiple applied forest ecology and silvicultural research projects maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The Research Assistant position will serve as the team leader and the Research Technician position will serve as a team member. Both positions will also assist with daily maintenance and lease management of an MDC housing facility on Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southeast Missouri. Addressing both responsibilities will require significant overnight travel. Housing is provided upon availability and a work vehicle is provided for travel to project sites and for housing management. Description of projects: The successful candidates will have opportunities to work on multiple ongoing research projects throughout Missouri. Collectively, these projects will cover a wide range of terrestrial ecosystems in Missouri (e.g. mesic upland hardwood forest, bottomland hardwood forest, xeric pine-oak forest) and address a variety of research questions related to the adaptive management and conservation of forest and woodland plant communities. Larger projects include evaluation of silvicultural options for rehabilitating degraded bottomland hardwood stands in northern Missouri, restoring shortleaf pine communities in the southeastern Missouri Ozarks, and enhancing oak regeneration and recruitment on mesic sites in northern Missouri and on bottomland hardwood sites in southern Missouri. The successful candidates will also have opportunities to assist with several small-scale case studies evaluating silvicultural options to meet a variety of management objectives. Both positions provide a great opportunity for gaining professional field research experience and networking with natural resource managers and scientists from state, federal, and academic partners. Qualifications: Required qualifications for both positions include a Bachelor's degree in forestry, ecology, environmental science, natural resource science and management, or related field, or an Associate's degree in a forestry-related field; at least one year of experience collecting field-based forest inventory data; good physical condition and ability to work almost entirely outdoors, often in rugged terrain and inclement weather; ability and willingness to travel overnight; and possession of a valid driver's license. Preferred qualifications for both positions include experience identifying common woody and herbaceous plant species in Missouri or surrounding areas; an understanding of forest ecology concepts and silvicultural systems; experience with GPS technology, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Office software; and demonstrated qualities of self-motivation, organization, and critical thinking. Candidates must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment. How to apply: Applicants will be considered for both positions and placement will be determined based on qualifications. Interested applicants should email a statement of interest, resume, contact information for at least three references, and unofficial transcripts to: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> --- Megan L. Buchanan Resource Scientist-Silviculturalist Missouri Department of Conservation 551 Joe Jones Blvd West Plains, MO 65775 Phone: 417-255-9561 ext. 236 Email: [email protected]
