Natural Resources Ecologist

Job Description:

Natural Resources Ecologist

Description

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values : Stewardship, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its’ citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

This position will be located at Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site in Ash Grove, Missouri; and serve state parks and historic sites primarily within the southwest quadrant of Missouri: Big Sugar Creek, Bryant Creek, Prairie, Roaring River, Shepherd of the Hills, Stockton, and Table Rock State Parks, and Nathan & Olive Boone and Osage Village State Historic Sites.

• Manage some of Missouri’s highest quality terrestrial natural communities through prescribed fire, ecological restoration and scientific research/monitoring.
• Be relied upon as a knowledge leader for the natural lands and resources of state parks across southwest Missouri.
• Coordinate closely with the Ozarks Region supervisors and facility managers, to accomplish resource goals within the larger context of operating state parks and meeting park system strategic goals.
• Engage with resource professionals within the park system and those of other agencies or organizations, to meet conservation objectives.
• Train park staff in resource management practices and technique, while assisting with or accomplishing projects at their facilities.
• Supervise temporary seasonal laborer crews, and coordinate with park staff, volunteers, contractors and other partners to accomplish stewardship objectives.
• Diagnose ecological problems, and advise/assist staff at all levels towards approaches for preserving/restoring/managing the natural landscapes, Natural Areas and natural resources of state parks and historic sites in southwest Missouri.
• Train for and participate in prescribed fire operations, with the expectation of graduation to a crew boss or burn boss capable rating; and assisting with Prescribed Burn training. You will become one of the leaders and planners for southwest Missouri’s prescribed burn program.
• Apply ecological disciplines including but not limited to field botany, wildlife management, ecological restoration, conservation biology, natural resource assessment, and geology/soils.
• Develop advanced skills in native plant identification, natural community assessment, fire ecology and special-interest topics that will advance the park system’s ability to preserve natural landscapes and resources.
• Assist with deer surveys and make decisions regarding need for managed deer hunts.
• Lead invasive species control project teams
• Compose technical reports, conduct quantitative resource monitoring, manage databases and utilize GIS platforms to better guide resource management.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:

• Botany : strength and experience in identifying native plants to species, by key and in the field
• Ecology : good understanding of Missouri’s natural terrestrial communities, and their management.
• Fire Management : experience in fire ecology and prescribed fire/wildfire operations, for functioning as burn boss throughout the work region.
• Resource Stewardship : experience in land management and restoration actions associated with Missouri’s natural communities.
• Communication (Oral and Written) : ability to express information and ideas to individuals and groups in public settings, through presentations, and in written reports and publications.

Equivalent to those typically gained by:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resources, Wildlife Management
• 0-4 years of relevant experience in natural resource management, scientific research methods and applications, or field identification of flora and fauna.

Benefits & Work-life Balance

Our benefits package and flexible 40-hour work week promotes the mental and physical health of you and your family as you work towards achieving your professional goals. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance. Learn more here .

How we invest in you:

• Exceptional professional development: mentoring from experienced professionals, cross-media training, career advancement opportunities, paid trainings and continuing education tuition assistance.
• Support for professional registrations when required, through paid study materials, fees, study time, test time, exam fees and licensure renewal fees.

Christopher Crabtree, Natural Resource Management Program Director, 573-751-8660 or Christopher.Crabtree@dnr.mo.gov

Or

Sally Namassy, Recruiter at dnr.recruiter@dnr.mo.gov

Salary:

$55,353-$55,741 per Year