[PCA] JOB: Forest Ecologist (Bozeman, MT)

[Olivia Kwong]

The Wilderness Society Position Description
April 2009
http://wilderness.org/content/forest-ecologist
Position Title:    Forest Ecologist
Location:     Bozeman, MT
Position Classification:   Exempt Grade 5
Salary Range:   Competitive
Reporting Relationship:  Director of Ecology
Starting Date:    July 1, 2009

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Position Summary (General Description):

The Wilderness Society seeks an ecologist with experience in natural 
resource issues and an interest in restoration to join its Ecology & 
Economics Research Department as part of an interdisciplinary regional 
conservation team working to protect Montana.s wildlands. This is an 
exceptional opportunity for a conservation scientist interested in 
applying his or her scientific expertise to real world land management 
challenges and working at the nexus between science and public policy.  We 
seek an applied ecologist to synthesize and analyze existing scientific 
information, develop new information, and translate these ideas into a 
format that will influence federal land management decisions in Montana 
and federal policies.

Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society seeks to protect wilderness and 
inspire Americans to care for our wild places. We work from a foundation 
in science and through collaborations with local and regional and national 
conservation partners to achieve protection and improved stewardship of 
(primarily) federally owned wildlands in the United States.  In addition 
to the two overarching goals of increased wildland designation and 
improved stewardship of public wildlands, we pay particular to three 
issues affecting wildland health and management:  climate change; energy; 
and recreation.

The principal role of the scientist in this position is to develop and 
deliver scientific understanding of the ecosystems of the Northern Rockies 
in order to strengthen conservation practices on federal lands managed by 
the Forest Service.  This position will be a critical part of our 
multidisciplinary team with expertise in economics, landscape analysis, 
communications, outreach, organizing and advocacy.  The ecologist provides 
the foundation for science-based advocacy in Montana and the broader 
Northern Rockies, as well as contributing to the overall efforts of our 
Ecology and Economics Research Department.

The ecologist will be involved in numerous aspects of The Wilderness 
Society.s program, but project work will be centered on the development of 
ecological information needed to shape the Forest Service.s decisions 
regarding forest restoration, management and protection.  . The ecologist 
will lead the development of ecological information relevant to restoring 
watersheds and forest ecosystems, habitat fragmentation, and wildland fire 
management.  Analyses will help quantify values, threats, and develop 
restoration solutions.

The ideal candidate has substantial scientific experience post graduate 
school, experience with land conservation issues and policies, expertise 
in Northern Rockies ecosystems, outstanding communication skills, and a 
proven ability to translate ecological information into public policy and 
land management recommendations.  This is a senior science level position 
within The Wilderness Society and compensation is competitive with 
university and governmental science programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

*  Work closely with research department, regional conservation, and 
stewardship climate change, and other program staff to develop and 
integrate scientific program priorities into the campaign to influence 
forest management in Montana national forests;
*  Design and develop scientific analyses that bring ecological 
information, including results from spatial analyses, to bear on forest 
restoration and protection plans for priority areas in Montana;
*  Develop scientific reports, white papers, peer-reviewed papers and 
science and policy briefs needed to build the scientific case for 
protection, restoration, and good stewardship of wildlands;
*  Help develop policy recommendations based on scientific data;
*  Analyze select federal land management plans, policies, and 
environmental impact statements to assess ecological impacts on Montana 
wildlands;
*  Communicate research, analytical findings, and policy recommendations 
to government agencies, elected officials, conservation partners, and 
other audiences;
*  Share scientific findings and related policy recommendations with the 
media;
*  Where appropriate, use scientific research and information from Montana 
to help influence national level policy issues;
*  Support development of funding proposals;
*  Manage contract research, internships, and other means of augmenting 
analytical capacity; and
*  Travel to attend short-duration meetings, give presentations, and visit 
specific project sites

Qualifications:

*  Ph.D. in forestry, ecology, wildlife biology, landscape ecology or 
related field;
*  Passion for and commitment to wildland conservation;
*  Familiarity with Northern Rockies ecosystems;
*  Working knowledge of GIS concepts and principles;
*  Knowledge of conservation issues on western public lands and how they 
relate to natural resource management and federal public land policy;
*  Understanding of federal environmental laws;
*  Ability to work with the media, elected officials, and the public;
*  Exceptional communication skills and demonstrated ability to translate 
complex ecological information into terms that can be understood by a 
non-scientific audience;
*  Ability to think strategically and develop conservation advocacy 
programs;
*  Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and interact in a group 
setting;
*  Demonstrated ability to work independently, think creatively, and write 
convincingly

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This position is available July 1, 2009 and is located in our Bozeman 
office.  The Wilderness Society is an equal opportunity employer. The 
Wilderness Society offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

Application review will begin in early-May and applications will be 
accepted until the position is filled.  To apply please submit a cover 
letter explaining your qualifications for this position, resume, samples 
of both technical and popular writing in relevant fields, and names, 
addresses, phone numbers of three references to:

Forest Ecologist Search
The Wilderness Society
1615 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
email: research_jobs at tws.org