Ecologist – 2 positions Job Classification Ecologist II (Grade S-24) Natural Resources 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 two (2) ecologists to perform in two of the countywide natural resources management programs. We seek ecologists with skills in vegetation survey, natural community classification, ecological restoration, natural resource management, and project management. Both positions are part-time seasonal, not to exceed 1,560 hours per calendar ye year. A health benefit plan will be available for purchase, but paid leave an and retirement benefits are not included. These positions are funded for tw two years and are likely to continue longer. Agency vehicles will be av available for use; however, site visits may occasionally require the use of a a personal vehicle when the agency fleet is unavailable. Personal vehicle mi mileage will be reimbursed at the Federal rate of $0.545/mile (or current ra rate). (1) - Vegetation Ecologist The first position will work within the Natural Resources Branch’s inventory program and will conduct Natural Vegetation Community Classification (NVCC) in parks countywide. The NVCC produces 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 natural resource decisions made by the agency. Weekly hours will likely vary seasonally; expect full-time hours (40/week) during the growing season. This ecologist will spend most of the growing season (April time hours (40/week) during the growing season. This ecologist will spend most of the growing season (April-September) in the field collecting data, with occasional office days for data management and inclement weather. Data management work will be conducted during the dormant season or on a periodic basis following longer periods of field data collection. Basic editing proficiency using ArcGIS is required, with additional training available. This position is expected to work independently with minimal direction and oversight following an initial training period. This project will be digitally-based using the latest available technology. Field data coll collection will utilize iPads and be designed to integrate with ArcGIS onli online. All applicants must either be familiar with, or open to, using thes these new technologies for recording and managing field data. No paper maps maps or notes will be used. (2) - Restoration Ecologist The second position will perform within the Natural Resources Branch’s countywide ecological restoration program titled Helping Our Land Heal (HOLH). The HOLH program plans for and implements ecological restoration and natural resources management activities with the end goal of restoring terrestrial and aquatic ecological systems and associated natural capital. This ecologist will plan, implement and monitor ecological restoration projects at select sites on county parkland under the direction of the HOLH program manager. We are seeking an ecologist with skills in ecological restoration, natural resource management, forestry, rangeland management, and project management. Under general supervision, the position is expected to serve as a full-performance team member for the HOLH program. The position will have both office and field responsibilities, and may supervise field personnel. It will serve as a contact/resource on questions from citizens and business relating to individual restoration projects. Basic editing proficiency using ArcGIS is required, with additional training available. Applicants will be expected to work approximately 30 hours/week, year-round as there are key responsibilities that that occur during all seasons. Qualifications (both positions): • Bachelor’s degree is required in ecology, biology, botany, forestry, geography, natural resources, environmental, or related field; Master’s degree preferred in ecology, biology, botany, geography, natural r resources, environmental, or related field. • Three or more years related experience (graduate education can s substitute for part) is required. • Experience using Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and GPS is required. • Ability to communicate technical and semi-technical issues e effectively, both orally and writing, to a wide range of audiences is r required. • Ability to perform field work alone under potentially adverse c conditions, including exposure to heat, humidity, steep and wet terrain and i insects is required. • Able to work well with others; this is a team project involving m multiple ecologists, an agency data manager, and the project supervisor. • Ability to operate a motor vehicle is required. Vegetation Ecologist: • Ability to proficiently identify the plant species of Northern V Virginia. • Prior experience with vegetation ecology and natural community classification (ideally, inventory-based). • Familiarity with the Natural Communities of Virginia Classification o of Ecological Community Groups (Third Approximation, Version 3.0) and/or t the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC). • Experience collecting, organizing and managing large quantities of data data. Database management experience is a plus. Restoration Ecologist: • Experience scoping, planning and implementing ecological r restoration or natural resource management projects is preferred. • Experience in project management is preferred, especially e ecological restoration projects and applied natural resource management. • Experience budgeting, scheduling, and administering projects and contra contracts for ecological restorations or natural resource management is prefer preferred. To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume via email to Kr Kristen Sinclair at kristen.sincl...@fairfaxcounty.gov. Applicants must sp specify which position they are applying for (or both). Applications will be be accepted from now until October 15th, 2018 at 5:00 PM. The anticipated st start date is December 1st, 2018. Fairfax County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable Accommodation u upon request.
