The University of Montana invites applications for an Aquatic Scientist/Projects Manager in the Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) group at the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West. The Aquatic Scientist/Project Manager oversees projects and partnerships that support Inventory & Monitoring and Research & Analysis. In particular, the Aquatic Scientist/Projects Manager manages and conducts studies to document the distribution, status, characteristics, and ecology of aquatic communities and habitats across the region, and summarizes information to inform resource management. The incumbent works closely with the Associate Director, the Senior Projects Manager and other project managers to provide technical and scientific leadership for EMMA staff, and develop regional partnerships to extend the effective use of EMMA resources. Primary duties include designing and conducting inventory and applied research; coordinating data collection, management and analysis; project administration; participating in strategic planning and program development; preparing reports and other products; managing spatial and tabular databases; and building collaboration among agencies and scientists. The Aquatic Scientist/Projects Manager supervises staff scientists, seasonal employees, and contractors as needed, and will be supervised by the Associate Director. While this is not a faculty position, an appropriately qualified Aquatic Scientist/Projects Manager may pursue affiliation with an academic department or graduate program within the University.
The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its essential values of innovation and creativity, impact, openness, and partnership.
Position Details
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
This is a one-year, renewable appointment, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.
Salary for this position is $55,000 - $70,000 commensurate with qualifications.
Position is based on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, MT.
Required Skills
- Ability to collect field data in freshwater environments under challenging conditions required. Familiarity with one or more widely used aquatic survey protocols preferred.
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in oral, written, and graphic form. A record of academic or professional publication is expected.
- Writing proposals and managing grants and contracts, including budgeting and financial reporting.
- Ability to collect and organize scientific data, conduct analyses, and prepare reports of findings.
- Proficiency in R or related statistical software and ArcGIS (preferably ArcPro).
- Knowledge of current trends in freshwater science research.
- Capacity to develop a research program focusing on the diversity, composition, status, environmental setting, distribution, ecology and/or management of aquatic communities and freshwater systems in the Rocky Mountain West and Intermountain Region
Required Experience
- Ph.D. degree in aquatic ecology, fisheries, hydrology, limnology or related field and three to five (3-5) years relevant professional experience or equivalent combination, including demonstrated proficiency in field inventory, monitoring and sampling methods.
- Exceptionally well qualified candidates with a Master’s degree and more than five (5) years relevant experience may be considered for this position.
- Supervisory experience, including ability to hire, onboard, motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance.
- Successful experience in developing, directing, and managing multiple projects, including large and/or complex projects involving remote field crews.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience interacting with multiple administrative units at a University to carry out hiring and compensation of seasonal staff; to purchase and lease supplies, equipment and vehicles; to ensure that travel reimbursements are submitted and processed; and to address insurance and worker’s compensation issues when they arise.
- Familiarity with the mission, organization and practices of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- A network of professional contacts within one or more federal land management agencies (BLM, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Park Service, etc)
- Familiarity with the federal contracting system
About UM and the Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis group
The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.
The Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis group (EMMA) is part of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, a regional studies and public education program. EMMA staff are engaged in mapping wetlands across the western US, including Alaska; and in carrying out inventory and monitoring projects for federal state and tribal agencies. Our aquatic staff collaborate with the Bureau of Land Management’s Aquatic Inventory and Monitoring program to collect data on the condition and trend of BLM-managed aquatic systems across the region.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.
Employment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
How to Apply
Priority Application Date: December 15, 2021
Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
To apply, please visit the University of Montana job website at http://bit.ly/3117umjobs