NRRI WILDLIFE ECOLOGIST/RSCH 2

This is a 100% temporary appointment for 1 year and is based on available funding.

Hourly Wage: $21.87-$22.75/hr

This position will work on research projects focused on mammal ecology, conservation, and management in Minnesota and the Western Great Lakes Region. Initially, primary tasks will be related to ongoing carnivores (American marten, bobcat, coyote, fisher, weasel) and, flying squirrel research projects. Job duties will focus on project implementation and coordination and will include both conducting work and training and overseeing seasonal technicians. Specific job tasks are not limited to but will include analyzing trail camera images; conducting vegetation surveys; programming and deploying temperature loggers and remote cameras; conducting small mammal surveys; live-trapping and radio collaring forest carnivores; field tracking and monitoring of study animals; laboratory analysis of scat samples; wildlife necropsy and collection of parasite and health samples; forest inventory field measurement; and contributing to data management, analysis, and dissemination via project reports and peer-reviewed publications. Duties will also include occasional work on other ongoing wildlife research projects, including data analysis, contributing to grant proposals, and assisting with other tasks as needed.

Job Duties:

Field data collection (45%)
Employee will help conduct numerous field tasks to support ongoing wildlife research. Specific field tasks will include conducting forest inventory surveys, surveying small mammals, deploying and retrieving remote camera and temperature dataloggers, live-capture and radio-collaring carnivores, and field tracking radio-collared study animals to collect scats and other data. Additional duties will be required as needed for ongoing projects. Must be able to tolerate long days doing field work in a range of weather conditions, including those that can be challenging to work in. We conduct field work year-round, and demonstrated ability to conduct field work during the winter is essential. Must have demonstrated the ability to conduct field work in remote settings in small groups or independently. This position will also include supervision of temporary and student employees on field projects.

Data management and analysis (25%)
Employee will help manage data and samples for multiple ongoing studies, including small mammal survey data, telemetry data, live-capture data, remote camera data, acoustic data, temperature logger data, habitat/forest inventory data, GIS data, and hair and scat samples. Under direction of PI, the employee will analyze data including identification of animals on remote camera pictures, identification of remains in scats for diet analysis, necropsy and parasite/disease exposure, and analysis of telemetry data for home range and habitat selection analyses. The employee will be expected to adhere to institutional and lab-specific data management protocols, including quality assurance/quality-control, to ensure accuracy and integrity of data. The employee will also help the PI supervise temporary and student staff in data entry and management activities.

Dissemination (10%)
Employee will contribute to reports, presentations, and manuscripts. Includes assistance with literature reviews, creating figures and tables for reports and publications, and drafting text for reports and publications.

Engage positively in NRRI's safety culture by completing trainings, participating in lunchbox safety discussions, and identifying potential hazards encountered while completing job duties.

Skillsets are defined in the required and preferred qualifications but summarized briefly here. Key skill sets include strong field experience and navigational skills. Successful applicants must be comfortable working in remote areas in challenging conditions and all seasons and have the ability to do so safely and train/coordinate the work of others in similar field conditions. A good foundation of data management and analysis skills are required to allow the successful applicant to help manage and analyze data collected in the field and laboratory. Strong communication skills are required, as the applicant will be expected to contribute to dissemination of project results in written and verbal formats. Strong interpersonal skills and experience coordinating field work will be important to allow the successful applicant to effectively coordinate projects with other staff. Finally, some specific wildlife experience demonstrating proficiency in at least one species and species-specific methods is important to both ensure the successful applicant can perform the duties required by this position but also to demonstrate the capacity to learn new skills as required by this position.

This position will report directly to the Principal Investigator and serve as a point of contact for temporary staff and undergraduates conducting project activities. This position will work under general supervision and will be expected to use technical knowledge to solve most routine issues that arise, working with the principal investigator and other staff to solve more complex problems that arise.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in ecology, biology, wildlife ecology/management, or related environmental science from an accredited college or university and 2 years of related experience or a combination of education and work experience equal to 6 years of related experience.
• Evidence of field skills and experiences working in remote settings, including a demonstrated ability to work in the field conditions present in northern Minnesota. Must have experience navigating in the field using GPS, compass, or map.
• Previous experience working in wildlife research in a position that included a strong field component. Must have previous experience with telemetry and live-capture and handling of wildlife (experience capturing and handling carnivores is preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to manage, analyze, and summarize data from a variety of sources.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of and experience using statistical (e.g., SAS, R) or geographical (e.g.,ArcGIS) software.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Physical requirements include: a. Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing 40-50 pounds b. Demonstrated ability to walk/hike in rough terrain for 8 hours per day in all seasons c. Tolerance of bugs and working in inclement weather as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in ecology, biology, wildlife ecology/management, or related environmental science from an accredited college or university.
• Experience analyzing complex data from a variety of sources to assess ecological patterns and processes. It is preferred that previous experience analyzing data involves a variety of datatypes such as field, laboratory, or remotely-sensed data.
• Previous experience conducting forest inventory measurements for forestry or wildlife research or management.
• Previous experience working with carnivores, including research or monitoring activities focused on carnivores.
• Previous experience analyzing wildlife diets using stable isotopes or scat-based methods.
• Previous experience supervising field crews.
• Previous experience with wildlife necropsy and collecting and interpreting data on health indices or parasite/disease exposure.
• Experience in presenting scientific results to varied audiences such as scientists, agency personnel, or laypeople.
• Experience writing reports or publications summarizing scientific data and results of analyses.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Exposure:

• Strict adherence to safety protocols to protect against exposure to risks during live-trapping and sample processing.
• Physical requirements include ability to lift and carry equipment weighing 40-50 lbs., demonstrated ability to walk/hike in rough terrain for 8 hours per day in all seasons, and tolerance of bugs and working in inclement weather as needed.

About NRRI:

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.
NRRI's mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship.
With industrial-scale facilities in Duluth and Coleraine, MN, NRRI works across five strategic research platforms.

These platforms address Minnesota's soil, forest, water and mineral resources:

• Applied Ecology and Resource Management
• Minerals and Metallurgy
• Materials and Bioeconomy
• Data Collection and Delivery
• Commercialization Services

Pay Range: $21.87-$22.75 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

This is a 100% temporary appointment for 1 year and is based on available funding.

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Note: You are required to attach a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

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Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

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