Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We're looking for a passionate , motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!
Wyoming lies in the heart of the "Sagebrush Sea," a critical but threatened biome that spans hundreds of thousands of square miles and supports unique natural systems and rural communities across the western US. Wyoming is home to half the remaining "core sagebrush area" (highest intactness-level landscape) in the biome, and "defending the core" of this intact landscape is essential to achieving conservation of this biome. The single greatest threat to the ecosystem is invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass. The WY Sagebrush Ecologist will work within a multi-functional team to launch research and outreach intended to accelerate the pace and scale of "defend the core" management activities.
More specifically, the WY Sagebrush Ecologist will co-design and implement investigation into factors inhibiting detection and treatment of low-level invasion within generally intact core sagebrush areas. This will include: conducting interviews and surveys to characterize the social and logistical barriers to management actions; developing and testing localized spatial tools characterizing "risk" of cheatgrass invasion; field testing protocols for detection; and identifying opportunities to test assumptions about outcomes of preventative treatments for low-level invasion. The WY Sagebrush Ecologist can expect to work closely with scientists and conservation program staff at TNC and the University of Wyoming, and with managers at Wyoming Game and Fish Department, county-level Weed and Pest Districts, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other partners.
Specific duties will include:
- Conducting semi-structured interviews
- Conducting spatial analyses
- Designing field data collection plans
- Collecting, managing, and analyzing field data
- Supervising field technicians
- Preparing written reports and/or scientific papers
- Building partner relationships, co-producing work plans with partners, and reporting back to them
Funding is secured for the first year of the project; extension of the position beyond one year will be contingent on funding.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
- Master's Degree in science related field and 1 year of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience collecting, manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data.
- Experience preparing reports of findings.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Experience designing and conducting ecological and/or social research.
- Spatial data skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong communication skills via written, spoken, or other means.
- Knowledge of western North American ecosystems and/or invasion ecology.
SALARY INFORMATION
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $56,000 - $64,175 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
