Vegetation Ecologist (Ecologist II, S-24) Natural Resource Management and Protection Branch Fairfax County Park Authority
$32.00/hour, not to exceed 1,560 hours/calendar year Limited-term, benefits eligible The Fairfax County Park Authority, located in Northern Virginia outside Washington D.C., seeks an experienced Vegetation Ecologist to conduct a Natural Vegetation Community Classification (NVCC) in parks countywide. This limited-term position is currently funded for one calendar year, but is expected to be renewable for up to three years. We are seeking an ecologist with strong field skills in vegetation survey and natural community classification to conduct inventory across parkland totaling more than 20,000 acres. Fairfax County is large and diverse and contains many rare species and habitat types. Typical habitats in the region include upland and riparian forests, wetlands, open meadows and disturbed, successional areas. The NVCC will produce a new planning-level geographic dataset of natural vegetation communities for broad use. This project will provide the Fairfax County Park Authority much needed information on its natural resources that will be used to preserve, protect, manage, and restore, and will inform numerous natural resource decisions made by the agency. This position will spend the majority of the growing season in the field collecting data, with occasional office days for data management and inclement weather. The majority of classification and data management work will be conducted during the dormant season or on a periodic basis following periods of field data collection. This position is expected to work independently with minimal direction and oversight following an initial training period. There is the potential for a second ecologist, ecological technician or trained volunteers to join the project at a later date to accelerate completion of the NVCC. This position may supervise those personnel. This project will be digitally-based using the latest available technology. Field data collection will utilize iPads and be designed to integrate with ArcGIS databases developed in-house. All applicants must either be familiar with, or open to, using these new technologies for recording and managing field data. No paper maps or notes will be used. This is a limited-term (non-merit) position not to exceed 1,560 hours per calendar year. Weekly hours will likely vary seasonally, with longer hours (40/week) during the growing season. A health benefit plan will be available for purchase, but paid leave and retirement benefits are not included. This position is based within the Natural Resource Management and Protection Branch of the Resource Management Division and supervised by a member of the permanent staff. A work vehicle will be provided. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree preferred (biology, botany, ecology, geography, natural resources or related field). • Three or more years related experience (graduate education can substitute for part) • Ability to proficiently identify the plant species of Northern Virginia. • Prior experience with vegetation ecology and natural community classification (ideally, inventory-based). • Familiarity with the Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Community Groups (Second Approximation, Version 2.6) and/or the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC). • Ability to perform field work alone under potentially adverse conditions, including exposure to heat, humidity, steep and wet terrain and insects. • Ability to travel up to five miles a day on foot carrying 20 pounds. • Experience collecting, organizing and managing large quantities of data. Database management experience is a plus. • Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), tablet computers and Microsoft Office software. No paper maps or notes will be used. • Able to work well with others. Experience in managing volunteers or supervising field personnel is a plus. To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume via email to kristen.sincl...@fairfaxcounty.gov. Applications will be accepted now through January 22, 2016 at 5:00pm EST. The anticipated start date is February 29, 2016. Fairfax County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable Accommodation upon request.
