Title: Postdoctoral Scientist Position in Stream Network Modeling and Riparian / Aquatic Ecology (Research Ecologist, at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade, starting salary range is $55,702 - $66,762).
Location: Aquatic Land Interactions Team, Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Olympia Washington. Start Date: January 15, 2008 (negotiable). Application Closing Date: November 30, 2007 (applications will be accepted until the position is filled). The Position: The Aquatic Land Interactions Team seeks a motivated individual to pursue research in stream network modeling and riparian / aquatic ecology. The position is with the PNW Research Station at the Forestry Sciences Lab in Olympia Washington. The scientist will work with an interdisciplinary team involved in a major research effort to Map current conditions and model the dynamic responses of riparian vegetation and salmon habitat in Oregon. The team includes 7 PNW Research Station and Oregon State University scientists with skills in remote sensing and mapping, forest community ecology, biology of salmonids, riparian plant ecology, and hydrology and fluvial geomorphology. The project is divided into two major components: a remote sensing and riparian mapping component and a aquatic-riparian modeling component. The scientist will lead the aquatic-riparian modeling component of this research effort. The modeling component combines landscape ecology, riparian plant community ecology, fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, and aquatic ecology. The scientist will be responsible for (1) organizing and managing the overall research project, (2) developing state and transition models describing the dynamics of streams and their associated riparian zones, (3) linking these models with GIS-based classification of stream types and riparian areas produced in the remote sensing and mapping component of the research project, and (4) combining the models and GIS databases into a decision support tool to be used to evaluate likely outcomes of land management alternatives on stream habitat for ESA-listed salmonids. The planning model will be applied to two intensively monitored watersheds the Nehalem and the Middle Fork John Day (MFJD) Rivers to examine current conditions relative to the historic range of variability, examine potential of passive restoration to meet recovery goals, and examine the potential of active restoration to accelerate recovery. A brief overview of the projects foundation and a non-technical description of the work completed to date can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/sciencef/scifi92.pdf The Scientist will bring critically important modeling and GIS skills to the team but must also have working knowledge and experience in riparian ecology and/or fluvial geomorphology in the interior west and/or in the Pacific Coast rainforests. This experience could have been gained in a variety of fields and/or disciplinary settings, including forestry, fisheries, botany, or geomorphology. Additionally, the scientist will be responsible for managing the research project, hiring and leading a summer field crew, preparing scientific papers and presenting results of research at scientific symposia, workshops and seminars. Qualifications: Ph.D. in ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, fisheries, geography, remote sensing, forestry, or other related field. Demonstrated skill in computer modeling. Previous use of state & transition models (VDDT) a plus. Demonstrated ability to manipulate and analyze a variety of large, complex spatial and relational databases. Demonstrated experience with geographic information systems (GIS) analysis and linking spatially explicit models with GIS. Knowledge of remote sensing, vegetation sampling designs and data formats, and riparian plant communities of the interior Western US and Pacific Northwest are desirable. Demonstrated scholarship through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Ability to work relatively unsupervised, plan work, achieve results, and meet deadlines. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Conditions of Employment: This is a full time position at the GS-11 or GS- 12 level ($55,702 - $66,762), depending on qualifications and experience. The position includes health, retirement (including a 401k package), sick leave, and vacation benefits. Candidates must be one of the following (for more information see http://www.opm.gov/employ/html/citizen.asp): Citizen of the United States; Citizen of one of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (as a signatory of the Rio Treaty in 1947), Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Venezuela; Refugee of South Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laotia paroled into the United States after January 1, 1975; Alien from Cuba, Poland, South Vietnam, the countries of the former Soviet Union, or the Baltic Countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; Native of American Samoa or Swains Island; National of the Peoples Republic of China who qualifies for adjustment of status pursuant to the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992. To Learn More About the Position: Contact Steve Wondzell, (360) 753-7691 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Apply: By November 30, 2007, send electronic (preferred) or printed copies of: (1) statement of interest describing your qualifications and experience and availability dates; (2) complete curriculum vitae with all publications and presentations, dates of employment, hours per week worked, and descriptions of duties; (3) transcripts from graduate and undergraduate study (unofficial copies are OK); (4) names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three references; (5) reprints of up to five publications; and (6) Federal Application OF 612 (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.asp) using additional pages to describe all relevant work experience. Send to: Steve Wondzell Olympia Forestry Sciences Laboratory, 3625 93rd. Ave., S.W., Olympia WA, 98512. [EMAIL PROTECTED] (360) 753-7691 USDA Non-Discrimination Statement Revised 6/8/2005 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individuals income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDAs TARGET Center at (202)720- 2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Additional Information: About the Community: Olympia is located approximately 60 miles south of Seattle WA and 100 miles north of Portland OR. Olympia and the adjacent communities of Lacey and Tumwater have a combined population of approximately 100,000. Additional information about the community available at http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us or at http://thurstoncountywa.usachamber.com/. Olympia is located on Puget Sound, and is a two-hour drive from the Washington coast, and both the Olympic and Mt. Rainier National Parks. Olympia is a full service community with an abundance of medical, dental, and legal services; a wonderful Farmers Market, a vibrant downtown with local real live theater, and great coffee shops and bakeries. The Forestry Sciences Laboratory is located 5 miles south of Olympia in rural countryside. About the PNW Research Station: The PNW Research Station is comprised of 11 research labs and centers in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska (http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw). Forest Service Research develops scientific and technical knowledge for 1.6 billion acres of forests and rangelands in the United States. The Forest Service has the most extensive and productive program of integrated forestry research in the world. The PNW Research Station has about 500 employees, with expertise in biological, physical, and social sciences. Our mission is to generate and communicate scientific knowledge that helps people understand and make informed choices about people, natural resources, and the environment.
