Job Title: Wetland Community Ecologist
Agency: Missouri Department of Conservation
Location: Columbia, MO. Hybrid work and work location potentially negotiable once the initial probationary period is successfully completed.
Hiring manager and position supervisor: Megan Buchanan
Salary: $47,784 - $59,640
Salary Grade: S9
Closing date: April 11, 2022 *Update: extended to April 18th, 2022*
To apply: https://jobs.mdc.mo.gov/
Position Summary
The Wetland Community Ecologist position fills a critical agency need as we continue to implement our Comprehensive Conservation Strategy (CCS) tiered approach to habitat management. Our Missouri wetland habitat systems provide a wide range of benefits to both people and wildlife. However, throughout the state, most wetland systems have been altered or reduced in size and require management to ensure the vital habitat, ecological services, and recreational opportunities afforded by these systems are sustained. The Wetland Planning Initiative (WPI) guides how MDC approaches wetland management: a holistic approach inclusive of both ecological and social objectives, all grounded by science-based methods, sustained through collaboration with partners, and improved by a focus on structured, continuous education. The CCS and WPI lay the foundation for the Wetland Community Ecologist’s work.
The position will work with internal and external partners to facilitate landscape- and site-level planning and adaptive resource management of our wetland habitats and wetland-dependent species. The position will be responsible for co-leading the implementation of the Department’s WPI, focusing most heavily on wetland-dependent non-game species. This work will involve developing and coordinating wetland-dependent species and habitat monitoring, filling information needs through applied research and management evaluations, and working alongside wetland management teams to set goals that are inclusive of multiple conservation values, to make management plans that enable prioritized budgeting and work planning, and to assess outcomes using key metrics. Further, the position will represent the Department on the Mississippi Flyway Council Non-Game Technical Section, as well as other flyway-, national-, and continental-scale collaborative ventures.
Essential Job Duties
1. Work collaboratively with resource managers from MDC and partner agencies to assess wetland habitat management and monitoring needs and implement research projects and adaptive management evaluations on wetland community management and applied ecology
2. Work independently and collaboratively with researchers from MDC and other institutions to conduct applied research that will inform wetland community management
3. Work collaboratively with wetland managers and scientists to develop new research proposals and adaptive management projects that address priority management needs, issues, and questions in Missouri’s diverse wetland systems
4. Develop and provide expertise on wetland-dependent species monitoring programs that align with MDC’s Community Health Indices and Landscape Health Index
5. Serve as the technical expert on non-game wetland dependent species and represent MDC on the Mississippi Flyway Council Non-game Technical Section
6. Co-lead the Department’s Wetland Planning Initiative
7. Communicate results of management evaluations and research projects to resource managers and scientists through a variety of outlets
8. Develop and monitor budgets, Cooperative Agreements, and Memorandums of Understanding for active projects
1. Participate in MDC and inter-agency professional committees to assist with coordinating and conducting priority conservation work in priority areas
2. Assist with agency-wide priority projects and initiatives
3. Perform other duties as assigned
Education and Experience
4. Master’s degree in wildlife science, ecology, environmental science, natural resource science and management, biogeography, or related field
5. At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience
6. Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Excellent oral and written communication skills
2. Strong knowledge of wetland community ecology and management, with knowledge of Missouri or Midwestern wetland system dynamics preferred
3. Knowledge of common wetland-dependent species (flora and fauna), with knowledge of Missouri or Midwestern wetland system communities preferred
4. Knowledge of and skill with a variety of statistical analyses
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Demonstrated qualities of self-motivation, organization, and critical thinking
7. Ability to work both independently and as part of diverse teams
8. Skill and experience using ArcGIS, statistical, and Microsoft Office software
9. Knowledge of adaptive management concepts and processes is preferred
10. Ability to travel and work varying shifts, as required
Work Environment
1. Regularly work in an office environment
2. Frequently work in outdoor environments, where hot, cold, wet, and/or humid conditions exist (typically between zero and ten days per month)
3. Frequently travel overnight (typically between zero and five nights per month)
4. Infrequently work weeknights and weekends as needed (typically between one and two weekends per year and between zero and five weeknights per year)
Physical Abilities
1. Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings
2. Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information
3. Ability to traverse flat to rugged terrain, both on and off trails
4. Ability to regularly carry up to a 20-pound backpack and other field gear
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
1. This position has been determined to be exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department’s Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
2. Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile devise-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
3. MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
4. The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an “Employment Eligibility Verification” (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
5. Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
6. All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
