Ecologist (GS-0408-09/11)

This position is with the USDA Forest Service; Northern Research Station; Climate, Fire and Carbon Cycle Sciences Research Work Unit (NRS-06) and will be located at Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Houghton, MI. The position provides technical assistance to professional research personnel by accomplishing support of scientific investigations of above and belowground ecosystem processes.

·     Conducts complex studies and investigations to determine the impact of various activities or factors, such as climate change, invasive species, silvicultural practices and natural disturbances, on ecosystems and their components. 

·     Plans projects or environmental activities, coordinating with the appropriate Forest Service unit; Federal, State, territorial and local government agencies; special interest groups; and the public.

·     Independently organizes and coordinates work details and carries out assigned tasks on approved research studies.

·     Selects and installs permanent sample plots to properly represent the research objectives with minimal guidance from supervisor.

·     Construct maps and perform basic spatial analyses in ArcView software.

·     Applies treatments to study areas according to approved study plans. Operates, calibrates, maintains and trouble-shoots field environment analytical equipment and makes modifications to a variety of hydrological, meteorological, biological, and analytical instruments.

·     Collects a variety of field measurements including plant compositional data, forest stand measurements, surveying data, hydrological measurements, and soil resource measurements.

·     Is skilled in taxonomic identification of herbaceous, shrub, and tree species of northern forests.

·     Performs or supervises laboratory preparation of field samples.

·     Performs advanced laboratory analyses and culture collection maintenance as needed, after appropriate training from laboratory staff. 

·     Manages day-to-day activities in experimental Mesocosm and Rhizotron facilities, including programming and downloading dataloggers, installing environmental sampling sensors and equipment, and coordinating experimental activities of various investigators.

·     Performs statistical analyses of data collected, using appropriate procedures (e.g., ANOVA, ordination, regression) and statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, PC-Ord, Excel, Sigma Plot).

·     Ensures integrity of data by following approved QA/QC procedures.

·     Makes written and/or oral reports to Project Leader on the assigned projects and the results of data collected. This includes formal establishment and annual progress reports that are also shared with collaborators.

·     Recommends priorities for ecological investigations through consideration of local land management needs, concern for resources, and special problems and situations that may arise. 

·     Develops and formulates plans for conducting investigations and analyses of often complex projects which require intensive field sampling, mapping, and sophisticated computerized data analysis.

·     Ensures the successful accomplishment of study objectives, solves complex and comprehensive problems, assesses situations to determine the most cost-effective and technically correct solutions, reviews Forest Service and University team member’s work for errors and completeness, reviews reports for thoroughness, and ensures that completed work provides all required data. Has full review and approval authority over the work of the team.

·     Writes and contributes substantially to research reports, publications, and presentations. Presents findings in oral or poster presentations at professional meetings and conferences. Occasionally acts as RWU representative at technical presentations, workshops, meetings, and demonstrations.

·     Coordinates work assignments for a crew of up to 9 temporary student workers. Acts as coordinating authority for 1-3 technicians in the RWU. Provides an equitable workload distribution among crew members; tracks work progression; makes work schedule adjustments; instructs new employees; amends or rejects substandard work, recommends crewmembers for employment, termination, disciplinary action, and recognition of achievement.

This is a full-time, permanent position and is not eligible for telework but could accommodate flexible work arrangements. Government housing is not available. Relocation/Transfer of Station costs will NOT be authorized for this position. Physical demands of the position are rigorous, including field work in rough terrain and the need to carry heavy equipment.

The Forestry Sciences Laboratory is located in Houghton, MI, which is a small university town located on the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula which is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Located in the lake effect snow belt of Lake Superior, Houghton receives an average snowfall of about 218 inches a year. The area is famous for outdoor recreation, especially hiking, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. It is just a boat ride away from Isle Royale National Park. The area also has a long history of copper mining— hence its other name, the Copper Country— which is interpreted via the regions second National Park, the Keweenaw National Historic Park. The Forestry Sciences Laboratory is on the campus of Michigan Technological University, providing intellectual and cultural experiences typical of a mid-sized university. Houghton was ranked among the top 100 small towns in America according to Livability.com, among the 16 best towns to live in according to Outside magazine, eighth most beautiful small town in America by Architectural Digest, and among the top 10 small towns near national parks according to Smithsonian Magazine. Local public schools are excellent—Houghton High School is 33rd of 1142 high schools in the state of Michigan.