[PCA] JOB: NY Natural Heritage Ecologist, deadline 3/28 (Albany, NY)

[Olivia Kwong]

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Please share this job description with anyone who might be interested.
The deadline for applications is this Friday, March 28, 2008.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Ecologist
TNC JOB TITLE: Applied Scientist II
SUPERVISOR: Chief Ecologist, New York Natural Heritage Program
LOCATION: NYS DEC, Albany, New York
PREPARED BY: Gregory J. Edinger & D.J. Evans
DATE PREPARED: February 20, 2008

PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The NY Natural Heritage Program is a partnership between The Nature
Conservancy and the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation whose mission is to facilitate the conservation of New
York's biodiversity by providing comprehensive information and
scientific expertise on rare species and natural ecosystems to resource
managers and other conservation partners.  The Program accomplishes this
mission by working collaboratively with partners inside and outside New
York to support stewardship of New York's rare plants, rare animals,
and significant natural communities, and to reduce the threat of
invasive species to native ecosystems. We combine thorough field
inventories, scientific analyses, expert interpretation, and
comprehensive databases on New York's flora and fauna to deliver
quality information to natural resource managers, conservation
organizations, researchers, and the general public.

NY Natural Heritage uses an integrated data management system, Biotics
(Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation System), which includes an
ArcView GIS application for spatial data, and an Oracle relational
database for tabular data. The Program also uses MS Access, MS Excel,
Crystal Reports, and manual files. Biotics and Heritage methodology,
used in gathering and tracking rare species and natural community
information, are shared across the international network of 75 Natural
Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Ecologist participates as a team member on various projects
(particularly those involving field inventories) and serves as the
primary ecologist for one or more of these projects. He/She is
responsible for various project-related tasks, including project
planning, landscape analyses, field surveys for natural communities and
rare species, literature reviews, element occurrence record
transcription, and report preparation. He/She assists in the development
of the natural community and rare species components of the NY Natural
Heritage database. The Ecologist oversees one or more contractors and
serves as the project manager for one or more projects.  He/She may
serve as a mentor for other staff on activities on which he/she has
particular expertise, but does not supervise other staff.

DUTIES:
1. Manage & Coordinate Projects:  Serve as project manager for projects by 
coordinating the work of NY Natural Heritage staff and contractors working 
on the project and training contractors as needed. Review contracts, 
administer project budgets, and act as a liaison to project sponsors in 
coordination with the Program Ecologist and Director. Present project 
overviews at conferences and meetings and write periodic progress reports 
and final reports as needed.
2. Field Work:  Conduct landscape analyses to assess ecological integrity 
and identify potential inventory sites using remote sensing data, other 
digital and hard-copy data layers, and information from the scientific 
literature, government agencies, and knowledgeable individuals.  Conduct 
field surveys to document ecological communities and rare plants in 
project areas using the methods and techniques developed by the Natural 
Heritage Network and other experts.
3. Database Management:  Transcribe, update, map, and quality control 
significant natural community and rare plant element occurrence records.
4. Classification:  Assist the Program Ecologist in the development
of the state ecological community classification by transcribing and
updating of high-priority natural community element occurrence records,
maintaining natural community element files, and revising community
descriptions.
5. Innovation:  Participate in the ongoing development of new tools, 
methods, processes, and techniques that improve the collection, storage, 
interpretation, dissemination, and application of NY Natural Heritage 
information.
6. Communications:  Communicate the role of the NY Natural Heritage
Program in the conservation of New York's biodiversity, and explain
the utility of inventories and landscape analyses to partners and
potential clients.  In collaboration with the Program Ecologist and
Director, communicate regularly with key project partners and others to
maintain strong partnerships and facilitate effective conservation.
7. Fund Raising:  Assist in the identification and development of funding 
proposals that will improve the NY Natural Heritage Program's 
effectiveness at enabling and enhancing conservation.
8. Information Requests:  Respond to requests for ecological information 
from the NY Natural Heritage database and provide interpretation, as 
needed.
9. Mentor:  Serve as a mentor for other staff on activities on which 
he/she has particular expertise, through in-house training sessions and 
collaboration on project activities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1. Graduate degree in ecology, biological sciences with 1-3 years
related experience or 3-5 years experience in conservation science
and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Course work and field experience indicating knowledge of community 
ecology and rare plants of New York State, or comparable work in another 
state, or research experience. Field inventory skills desired -- both 
ecological field methods and plant species identification.
3. Demonstrated experience with aerial photograph interpretation and 
community mapping. Project management and administrative experience
are desirable; database software and spreadsheets (MS Excel & Access),
word processing (MS Word), and computer mapping skills using ArcMap or
related products are required.
4. Ability to collect, manipulate, analyze, and interpret scientific data 
and prepare reports of findings.
5. Ability to synthesize, interpret and communicate scientific information 
to influence conservation practice.
6. Ability to work effectively with others under pressure and tight 
deadlines in a busy office environment. Capable of working independently
and in an organized fashion to complete projects.
7. Knowledge of regional fauna and flora, natural communities,
ecosystems, ecosystem processes, and their conservation needs.
8. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to
write technical reports utilizing available resources.
9. Willingness to travel throughout New York State and endure the
rigors of field work for long days and extended periods.
10. Comfort in articulating and advocating for the missions of the
NY Natural Heritage Program with respect to biodiversity conservation.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT
The Ecologist may work in variable weather conditions, at remote
locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically
demanding circumstances. These conditions may:
1. require physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
2. present possibility of injury.
3. require long hours in isolated settings.

Additional information on the New York Natural Heritage Program is
available at www.nynhp.org

Send resume and cover letter via regular mail to Greg Edinger, NY
Natural Heritage Program Ecologist, 625 Broadway, 5TH Floor, Albany, NY
12233-4757, or via e-mail in MS Word document format to
gjedinge at gw.dec.state.ny.us before March 28, 2008.