Research Associate, Research Scientist

Position: Research Associate

Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Reports To: Senior Wildlife Biologist, Yellowstone National Park and Chief People Officer, Yellowstone Forever

Status: Full-time / Non-Exempt

Yellowstone Forever (YF) is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. YF connects people to Yellowstone through outstanding visitor experiences and educational programs and translates those experiences into lifelong support of the park and philanthropic investment in its future. Our educational programming and products help people enhance their understanding and appreciation of the wildlife, natural wonders, and cultural history of the park.

YF’s operations include Park Stores in and around Yellowstone; the Yellowstone Forever Institute, which offers in-depth educational programing for people of all ages; and a supporter program which raises funds for priority park projects.

The Research Associate plays a critical role in Yellowstone Forever’s operations, gathering, processing, and analyzing data samples and information. This position is located in Yellowstone National Park and would work with Yellowstone Center for Resources Senior Wildlife Biologist with the Yellowstone Wolf, Cougar, and Elk Projects. The purpose of the position is to help design, coordinate, and execute complete conventional projects using highly complex techniques and unusual skill, participate responsibly with the unit lead scientist in various phases of the research or biological resource research and management process, and/or administratively maintain a significant function or area of responsibility on an ongoing basis.

These duties involve differing and unrelated processes and methods requiring extensive familiarity with the methods and practices of the science(s) or discipline(s) supported. At this level, assignments include administrative and/or technical assignments, projects and responsibilities which are distinguishable from those less experienced scientists or specialists employed to perform routine professional work or perform standardized professional assignments. Responsibilities of this position including training a team of Biological Technicians as well as preparing and delivering in-depth educational programs for public audiences.

The ability to work independently and on teams is essential. Success in this position requires high degrees of attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Independently develops or designs various aspects of research, inventory, monitoring, restoration projects and/or management and manipulation of biological resources on the basis of overall objectives outlined by the supervisor;
• Contributes to the planning of various steps in experiment or project and to interpretation and documentation of findings. Participates as a team member with the unit scientist or specialist in all phases of the research process and assumes full technical and operational responsibility for specific phases of the research. Provides input into the initial planning of research;
• Selects appropriate methods and procedures for carrying the project plan to completion;
• Makes field observations of natural resource conditions. Evaluates observed conditions and problems, and interprets variables, trends, correlations, and interrelationships among data and conditions. Recommends management actions based on prescribed guidelines in existing park plans, and in large part on personal knowledge of the geographic area, and historical data;
• Operates and maintains a variety of highly specialized complex equipment which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results;
• Develops various procedures for sampling, testing, evaluation, and devises new or improved methods or designs specialized equipment;
• Performs highly complex techniques with unusual skill;
• Determines the kinds and frequency of tests, observations, etc., to be made and the amount of data to be recorded. Selects site locations, sampling techniques, appropriate equipment, logistics, etc. Installs, operates, and maintains resource management equipment (e.g., tools, traps, and sampling, monitoring, photography, and laboratory equipment). Inventories equipment, evaluates quality assurance compliance, and calibrates equipment as necessary. Orders replacement parts, new equipment, and supplies;
• Provides information to other employees and visitors about natural resource management programs and may develop and present related interpretive programs to the public. Interprets and documents findings by preparing information to be included in manuscripts or preparing reports summarizing progress or results of research. Reports include literature research, descriptions of methods, data analysis, graphs, charts, etc;
• Keeps exact, detailed records of experimental data.…