Marine Reserves Ecologist; Natural Resource Specialist

Marine Reserves Ecologist (Natural Resource Specialist
1)

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has an open position for a Marine Reserves Ecologist. Join the Marine Reserves team to work in majestic Oregon nearshore waters!

Position description:

As a Marine Reserves Ecologist (Natural Resource Specialist
1) based in Newport, Oregon, you will work with the Marine Reserves Project Leader, Assistant Project Leader, and Quantitative Ecologist to carry out the ecological monitoring for Oregon's five marine reserve sites. Work tasks include assisting with sample design and planning, leading collection of data at-sea, data entry, database maintenance, data analysis, GIS mapping, presenting information in public forums, and report writing.

This position is a member of ODFW's Nearshore Ecology Program, which houses the marine habitat and marine reserves teams. The interdisciplinary nine-person marine reserves team is responsible for leading the management and scientific monitoring of Oregon's marine reserves. This is a long-term monitoring and research program designed to meet the state's goals, objectives, and policy mandates for marine reserves. This is a complex, multidisciplinary research effort with numerous monitoring and research projects conducted simultaneously.

Duties include:

• Conducting extractive surveys (e.g. hook-and-line), and non-extractive surveys (e.g., intertidal, overseeing SCUBA surveys). Deploying oceanographic sensors (e.g., temperature and oxygen) and participating in underwater visual surveys (e.g., using remotely operated vehicles).
• Coordinating and leading volunteers in the field, deploying and retrieving equipment (e.g., moorings, oceanographic sensors, crab pots), overseeing vessel deck operations (e.g., providing direction and instructions to vessel captain and crew), and recording field data.
• Maintaining databases, analyzing ecological data, using GIS software for study design, trip planning, and analyses.
• Working as part of a team to produce products from the collected data, including data summaries, graphics, reports, and presentations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

For a full review of the position details, duties, and working conditions, please review the position description located here.

Clearly describe how you meet the desired attributes in your cover letter and application materials. We cannot accept additional application materials after the Final date to receive applications. These materials determine whether you move forward in the selection process and help establish your starting salary. Be sure your work and education history is accurate, thorough, and fully reflects your skills and experience, even if they do not seem directly related to the position.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Qualifications:

• To be considered for this position, all applicants must meet one of the following options:
• Option 1:
  Three years of biological/ecological/oceanographic experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or marine program
• Option 2:
  Bachelor's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Biological Oceanography, Marine Fisheries Management/Science, or a closely-related Bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological/oceanographic coursework

Desired Attributes:

• Experience working in marine environments, preferably the Pacific Northwest, and able to work at sea for multi-day surveys
• Experience coordinating and leading volunteers in the field
• Experience with marine ecological surveys
• Experience presenting research to technical audiences (e.g., scientific conferences), to policy decision makers, and the general public
• Experience writing outreach material, reports, and peer-reviewed publications
• Experience in database maintenance and use (e.g., Microsoft Access)
• Experience with oceanographic sensors and their calibrations (e.g., oxygen) as well as post-processing of collected data
• Experience using R software to evaluate, combine, summarize, visualize and statistically analyze complex datasets
• Experience with ArcGIS, including creating and editing shape files, and spatial analyses
• Preference may be given for a graduate degree with a focus in marine science

Application Details and Instructions

This position requires a cover letter to be submitted with your application. The cover letter should address the following:

• Your interest in this position.
• The specific skills, knowledge and experience that makes you a strong fit for the role.
• If you possess any of the desired attributes listed in the announcement, please describe how your experience aligns with them.

Failure to attach a cover letter, or address the information requested, may result in your application being removed from further consideration.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of…