Executive Director, National Phenology Network. The U.S. Geological Survey invites applications for an Ecologist to serve as Executive Director for the USA-National Phenology Network (NPN). The NPN is an emerging and exciting partnership between academic communities, federal agencies, and the general public to monitor and understand the influence of seasonal cycles on the Nation's resources. The NPN will provide phenological information at local to continental scales that can be used to (1) understand the role of the timing of life cycle events in the biosphere and (2) guide a wide range of practical decisions made routinely by individual citizens, industry, government, and the Nation as a whole. USGS and the University of Arizona have agreed to provide base stable support for the NPN in the form of a National Coordinating Office based at the University of Arizona. The Executive Director will be located in Tucson with an opportunity for adjunct faculty status at the University of Arizona to facilitate access to academic and technical capabilities required for the position. The Executive Director will also interact closely with the NPN Board of Directors, which includes scientists from different agencies and universities representing related disciplines and participating networks. Through the leadership of the Executive Director, the USA-NPN will respond to the needs of the USGS and other agencies within the Department of the Interior and the US Government, while serving as a nucleus for research and applications in the broader scientific and user communities. Critical duties include securing funding for network implementation, extending phenological observations across existing environmental networks through negotiation and interagency agreements, directing data management, and coordinating integration of spatial, analytical and climate data to achieve the wall-to-wall objectives of this continental network. Requirements include U.S. citizenship, a PhD. in the Natural or Earth Sciences or equivalent experience; professional experience in management and/or scientific leadership of regional to national monitoring and research projects; demonstrable experience in multi-agency coordination and public outreach; proven record of grantsmanship and peer-reviewed publications; desired technical knowledge and experience in spatial analysis, including remote sensing, data management and network development, and forecasting models based on ecological/environmental observations; and experience in managing research personnel.
The position will be a GS-14 or 15 (salary range $87,533 - $133,850) depending on qualifications. USGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To apply, please visit www.usajobs.opm.gov (Announcement Number: WR-2007-0160). Applications will be accepted through February 9. For information about the application process, please contact Cathy Shahan 650 329 4109, [EMAIL PROTECTED] For information about the job, please contact Robert Szaro, Chief Scientist for Biology, USGS, at 703 648 4060 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] For specific questions about the NPN and the National Coordinating Office, please contact Julio Betancourt, Senior Scientist, USGS at 520 670 6821 ext. 107, [EMAIL PROTECTED]