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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Post through Monday, July 26, 2010

RESOURCE SCIENTIST
(RIVER SYSTEMS ECOLOGIST)
Job Number 2010-097

LOCATION:  Position is located at the Open Rivers and Wetlands Field Station in Jackson, Missouri.  Position is in the Resource Science Division.

SALARY RANGE:  Annually $40,140 - $70,812
                                   Beginning salary will be $40,140 - $44,268 depending on qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:  Apply on-line at:

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/about/jobs

If you are unable to apply on-line, you may obtain an employment application at any Missouri Department of Conservation Office or by calling (573) 751-4115, ext. 3694.

CLOSING DATE:  You must apply by Monday, July 26, 2010.

If you are a person with a disability and need accommodation, contact Human Resources Division at (573)751-4115.

Human Resources Division, Missouri Department of Conservation
P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102  Telephone (573) 751-4115
Fax (573) 522-1787, Missouri Relay Center 1-800-735-2966 (TDD)

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
is an equal opportunity employer

THE DEPARTMENT

         The Conservation Commission is responsible for the control, management, restoration, and conservation of the fish, wildlife, and forest resources of Missouri.

         The Commission was created by an amendment to the Missouri State Constitution.  The four Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for a term of six years.  No more than two may be from the same political party.  The Department is completely free of partisan politics and is considered a model conservation agency.  Financing is primarily from the sale of hunting and fishing permits and a 1/8th of 1% sales tax voted by the citizens of Missouri to implement an expanded conservation program.  Federal aid funds are also received from several sources.

         The Department has divisions responsible for Administrative Services, Design and Development, Fisheries, Forestry, Human Resources, Outreach and Education, Private Land Services, Protection, Resource Science and Wildlife.

 

                                                             POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

         Your political view is not a consideration in obtaining and holding your job with the Department.  How you vote and whether you contribute to any political party is your own business.  No employee of the Department may take any active part in politics or political campaigns, but all employees are urged to vote their convictions.

 

                                                              EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

In addition to salary, the Department provides these "fringe benefits":

                          1.     Paid vacations.
                          2.     Paid sick leave.
                          3.     Paid holidays.
                          4.     A paid group life insurance plan with option to purchase additional coverage.
                          5.     A group health insurance plan.
                          6.     State retirement plan is fully paid by the Department.
                          7.     Credit Union for the employees.
                          8.     Social Security benefits.
                          9.     Workers' Compensation.
                         10.   Employee Safety Program.
                         11.   Deferred Compensation.
                         12.   Cafeteria Program.
                         13.   Paid Long Term Disability Insurance.
                         14.   Mail Order Prescription Drugs.
                         15.   Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.
                         16.   Dependent Life Insurance.
                         17.   Employee Wellness Program.
                         18.   Employee Assistance Program.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 2010-097

RESOURCE SCIENTIST (RIVER ECOLOGIST)   (CS H)

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The salary for this position is 100% funded by the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) for the Upper Mississippi River, a congressionally mandated program administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and implemented by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Department.  The principle responsibility of this position is to assist the Big Rivers/Wetland Systems Field Station Supervisor in coordinating the monitoring and research programs of the LTRMP, while ensuring sound science for the Upper Mississippi River and fulfilling information needs to maintain and improve large river systems in Missouri.

 

RESEARCH:

Develops conceptual models of large river ecosystems while working in team settings within and outside the Department. Designs studies to test hypotheses of conceptual models.  Designs, budgets, and conducts management evaluation and research projects on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial resource problems using a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing main channel and floodplain environments extending from bluff to bluff including bottomland forests, wetlands, and rivers that will answer informational needs to better manage large river systems. Serves on multi-agency and multi-disciplinary teams that guide monitoring and research programs for the LTRMP. Serves on the Analysis Team and various ad-hoc workgroups to analyze data and improve the sampling and data analysis protocols of the LTRMP.  Collaborates with MDC staff from all Divisions, Resource Science Center, Central Office, Field Stations, and external managers and scientists to develop, execute, and report results of research and management evaluation projects. Provide input during research project reviews and actively participates on project research review teams. Maintains the capacity to conduct high-quality research and disseminate state-of-the-art information by staying current on applicable scientific literature, participating in scientific meetings, and working on internal and external committees or working groups.

 

TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

Works comfortably in team settings within and outside MDC to help resource managers identify critical issues for evaluation, and uses structured decision making and adaptive management principles to develop manager information needs into management evaluation (research) projects.
Collaborates with research and management staffs from universities, other state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations to investigate regional and statewide resource issues and provide information to solve them.

 

INFORMATION TRANSFER:

Analyzes and interprets data and prepares reports, scientific manuscripts, management notes, popular articles, and presentations to communicate research and management evaluation results.  Through meetings, continuing education workshops, and training courses, provides new technological information and research results that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of management practices to regional field staff, state and federal agencies, and the public.

 

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISION:

Supervises one to three (1-3) temporary (hourly) employee(s) and two LTRMP permanent employees responsible for conducting multiple monitoring, management evaluation, and research projects statewide.  Develops and administers external grants to augment state funding for research projects.
Develops an annual budget and work plan, tracks accomplishment of work objectives, and assesses annual work performance of temporary and permanent staff.  Performs other duties (as required) to enhance the effectiveness of the Resource Science Division.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Fisheries Science, Fisheries or Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, or Environmental Science with an emphasis in Ecology, or closely related field, and two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in scientific research or natural resource management.  Familiarity with landscape ecology, geographic information applications and analyses, and large river systems and biota preferred.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SPECIAL ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to:
Accept all responsibilities of the job and assigned tasks.
Use provided computer technology to enhance the quality of work and programs.
Keep focused on understanding, anticipating and responding to the needs of customers.
Administer financial resources in a manner which instills public trust and accomplishes the Department’s mission.
Accept change and new information and cope with job pressure and stress.
Persuade others to “buy into” a course of action.
Coach and challenge others to achieve their potential.
Identify internal and external politics that impact the work of the Department.
Define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and plans to solve the problem.
Develop and sustain cooperative working relationships.
Demonstrate technical proficiency in areas of responsibility.
Create and sustain an atmosphere in which timely, quality information flows between self and others, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner whether one-on-one or within or before groups.
Take a long-term view of the Department’s or unit’s direction and articulate a vision which integrates key program goals, priorities, values, and other factors.
Administer human resources management principles in a manner which instills public and employee trust, maximizes employee potential, and fosters high ethical standards in meeting the Department’s mission.
Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.
Think broadly at a landscape and temporal scale for identifying ecological processes that can be used to better manage river and floodplain resources.
Develop new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions that make improvements.
Establish comprehensive and realistic plans of action to accomplish activities and evaluate progress.
Maintain a productive, team-oriented atmosphere among peers and subordinates.
Develop and present programs to individuals and groups.
Travel frequently and stay overnight with moderate frequency.
Operate a motor vehicle and obtain a valid Driver License by date of employment.
Walk in rough terrain and work out-of-doors in extreme hot or cold temperatures
Work at night periodically.
Interpret aerial photos and topographical maps.
Define problems, develop appropriate system models, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and a course of action.
Use existing information, develop metadata, and to ensure new databases are catalogued and archived appropriately.
Think broadly at a landscape and temporal scale for identifying ecological processes that can be used to better manage aquatic and terrestrial resources.
Develop hypotheses that can be tested as an ecological approach to understanding system and function of landscape level changes.
Effectively communicate complex ecological principles or technological applications to a variety of audiences.

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position has been determined to be exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Employees must agree to accept compensatory time off in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Departments Compensatory Time Off and Overtime policy.

Prospective salaried employees need not be residents of Missouri at the time of interview; however, they must become residents on or after employment within a reasonable period.

Smoking is prohibited in all owned, rented or leased Department of Conservation offices, buildings, and similar facilities, in Department aircraft, and in vehicles.

The Department of Conservation will hire only 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.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.