Fire Ecologist/Forest Community Ecologist Missouri Department of Conservation Ozark Regional Office, West Pains, MO
Salary Range: $40,548 - $71,532 Beginning Salary: $40,548 - $46,488 depending upon qualification. Duties and Responsibilities: The principle responsibility of this position is to coordinate and administer a program of scientific research and assessment that fulfills information needs for restoring forest system components in upland forests in Missouri. Under the supervision of a Resource Science Supervisor (Forest Systems Field Station) this Resource Scientist is responsible for: RESEARCH: Designs, budgets, and conducts management evaluation projects on developing methods for restoring flora in Missouri’s upland forest communities e.g. shortleaf pine, pine/oak, savannah, glade and oak communities. Primary efforts focus on the effects of prescribed burning on all levels of forest/woodland flora. Provides prescribed burning expertise on collaborative projects with regional staff, Resource Science Field Station and Central Office staff, and outside managers and researchers (USFS, TNC, USGS, and universities) to develop and execute research projects. Provides input during research project reviews and actively participates on project review teams for other research. Maintains the capacity to conduct high-quality research and disseminate state-of-the-art information by reading current applicable scientific literature, and attending and participating in scientific meetings. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Serves as upland forest plant community ecologist expert for Resource Science Division and as local Heritage Specialist. Works comfortably in a team setting with Missouri Department of Conservation Forestry and Wildlife Divisions resource managers to identify critical issues for evaluation, merging new principles of adaptive management with historically successful management techniques. Collaborates with research and management staff from universities, other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations on regional and inter-regional issues. INFORMATION TRANSFER: Analyzes and interprets data and prepares reports, scientific manuscripts, forest management notes, popular articles, and presentations to communicate research results. Provides information to regional field staff, state and federal agencies and the public regarding new technologies and research findings to improve efficiency and effectiveness of management practices, including continuing education workshops and training courses. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISION: Pursues external grants to augment research project funding. Develops an annual budget and work plan, tracks accomplishment of work objectives, and assesses annual work performance. Supervises one to three temporary hourly employee(s) and up to one permanent employee. Responsible for conducting research projects statewide. Performs other duties as required to enhance the effectiveness of the Resource Science Division. EOE Qualifications Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Forestry, Wildlife Science, Wildlife Management, Biological Sciences, Plant Community Ecology, Forest Ecology, Botany, Conservation Biology, or closely related field, with an emphasis in forest community ecology or related discipline, and two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in scientific research or natural resource management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Familiarity with common Ozark plants and experience in training and supervising field crews is desirable.
