POSITION DESCRIPTION – Freshwater Scientist
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JOB
TITLE
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Applied
Scientist I
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JOB
FAMILY
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Science
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JOB
NUMBER
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400001
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SALARY
GRADE
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6
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STATUS
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Salaried
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DATE
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February
1, 2017
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SUMMARY
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The
Freshwater Scientist works closely with an interdisciplinary team to help
guide TNC’s freshwater conservation work toward achieving greater
impact. By providing insight from
recent research, improving study design, and conducting modeling, spatial and
statistical analysis, he/she will help inform and increase the efficacy of
various restoration and watershed monitoring efforts, ultimately helping to
determine the long-term direction of our freshwater work in New Jersey.
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ESSENTIAL
FUNCTIONS |
The
Freshwater Scientist will have the opportunity to support and help shape innovative
freshwater conservation initiatives in New Jersey through applied research
and analysis, as well as serving as a project manager for different kinds of
projects. This position will be
responsible for designing and conducting spatial and statistical analyses
that will help inform the freshwater team’s efforts to prioritize, design,
and implement a variety of restoration projects and initiatives—improving our
short-term outcomes and ultimately helping to guide our long-term investments. One initial responsibility will be helping
to refine our watershed monitoring, but the main focus for the first two
years will be leading a floodplain modeling project and predicting ecosystem
benefits at multiple scales. The Freshwater Scientist will be responsible for
leading the project, working with other team members to engage stakeholders,
and may conduct or oversee contracts to complete watershed-wide modeling of floodplain
restoration potential to increase the retention of nutrient and sediment
runoff, as well as to attenuate flooding.
While the emphasis of these products will be applied to conservation
planning, there also will be site-specific modeling/assessment of large
restoration projects’ potential benefits needed. Modeling efforts will be informed and
supplemented as necessary by work in the field to collect on-the-ground data
and ground-truth results. Beyond this
initial project, the Freshwater Scientist will help increase the scientific
rigor of all of our restoration work and project/watershed-wide monitoring by
providing support with study design, as well as data collection, management,
and analysis. Long-term, using the
best science available, this position will help the program’s strategic
direction to evolve over time, identifying new project and initiative
opportunities as conditions change.
Investments will be made in geographically diverse regions; planning
areas and project sites span the urban-to-rural gradient and are located in
multiple watersheds in New Jersey.
This is a full-time, paid position for 35 hours/week, based in
Delmont, NJ.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
& SCOPE
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·
Helps
to shape the long-term direction of New Jersey’s freshwater program work by
providing scientific guidance, as well as insight on trends in freshwater
issues and innovations in conservation practices
·
Leads
a variety of projects involving applied science, planning, and/or
on-the-ground components with teams of internal staff and external partners (for
example, initially leading a multi-year project to advance a pilot
"Floodplain Investment Tool" toward completion and full adoption by
external partners and other conservation practitioners or decision-makers:
engages stakeholders; obtains needed data, such as large existing datasets
relating to climate, soils, land cover, etc. and/or field data to inform
calibration; ensures effective completion of hydrologic modeling and spatial
analyses to predict effects of restoration on nutrient and sediment
retention; oversees associated modeling of restoration effects on potential
flood attenuation to assess and incorporate multiple benefits translated into
user-friendly outputs).
·
Provides
expertise in aquatic ecology and stream monitoring methods
·
Increases
the scientific rigor of freshwater prioritization and restoration work by developing
appropriate experimental study design for restoration projects and study
design for project monitoring and integrative watershed-wide monitoring
·
Improves
data management (data compilation, formatting, and storage) and performs data
analysis for various studies, including stream monitoring and restoration
project performance monitoring
·
Works
with program staff to develop projects and prioritization approaches;
contributes to proposals and conservation planning.
·
Develops
and implements modeling, spatial analysis, and other assessment methods to
help prioritize freshwater conservation work
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Provides
GIS mapping capacity, including basic map-making as needed
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Stays
up to date on regional freshwater issues, science, and initiatives in order
to provide insight to shape long-term direction of freshwater work
·
Communicates
and presents project work to different audiences, ranging from technical
experts to community groups
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May
work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous
terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
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MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
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·
Graduate
Degree in science related field and 1 year of experience OR equivalent
combination of education and experience.
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Experience
collecting, manipulating, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating
scientific data.
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Experience
preparing reports of findings.
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Valid
driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
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PREFERRED
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
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· Strong understanding of ecology and
environmental processes, including biotic and abiotic components of river
systems.
·
Experience
with project management and leading small teams, including internal staff and
external partners.
·
Experience
designing monitoring programs and protocols relating to stream health and
freshwater restoration projects, as well as on-the-ground experience with
stream monitoring and restoration projects
·
Experience
managing and analyzing large datasets, including hydrologic data and data
relating to water quality.
· Proficiency in implementing GIS analyses
and using statistical packages or programming languages, such as Python and R.
·
Experience
in working effectively with public and private entities, as well as in engaging
multiple stakeholders in conservation work, ranging from scientific experts
to local communities.
·
Very
strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently and/or with
minimal supervision.
·
Strong
writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills
· Ability to handle multiple priorities and
meet deadlines.
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ORGANIZATIONAL
COMPETENCIES
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Communications
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Effectively expresses messages verbally and in writing. Actively listens to others. Fosters open exchange of issues. Is timely with information.
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Flexibility &
Innovation
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Flexible to
changing circumstances. Takes innovative approaches towards work. Takes calculated risks and makes dependable
decisions in the fact of uncertainty.
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Interpersonal
Savvy
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Maintains
positive working relationships.
Contributes to productive partnerships inside and outside the
organization. Understands team member
roles and values the contributions of others.
Effectively deals with conflict.
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Open to Learning
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Versatile learner
and committed to self-improvement.
Employs strengths effectively.
Willingly shares knowledge with others. Seeks coaching on areas needing
improvement. Adjusts
behavior/performance as needed. Views
mistakes as learning opportunities.
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Organizational
Awareness
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Understands the
basics of our business. Knows how
local job relates to the big picture & contributes to the overall
strategy. Knows how/why things work
inside TNC. Easily moves through
internal networks and channels for success.
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Produces Results
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Takes
Initiative. Focuses on
priorities. Strives for
excellence. Is dependable and
accountable for results. Persistent in
the face of obstacles and meets deadlines.
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This description is not designed to be a complete
list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.
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DISCLAIMER: These opportunities have not been vetted by Dr. Rodenburg and posting on this blog should not be considered an endorsement. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is not affiliated with this blog in any way.
Monday, March 6, 2017
Job #3 with Nature Conservancy
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