Associate Natural Resource Scientist

Salary:  $76,835.20 - $103,064.00 Annually

Location: Portland, OR

Job Type: Full Time

Deadline to apply: 8/5/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oregonmetro/jobs/4589838/associate-natural-resource-scientist

 
Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Are you passionate about ecological land management and habitat restoration? Committed to advancing regional conservation through an equity and anti-racist lens? If so, join our Parks and Nature Science Team as an Associate Natural Resource Scientist!
 
Parks and Nature’s Conservation Program Science team serves three major roles:

• Leading habitat management of Metro’s Parks and Nature growing portfolio of 18,000+ acres of natural areas, nature parks and developed recreation areas.
• Serving as a conservation science resource for Metro; and,
• Serving as members, collaborators, leaders, and advisors of regional conservation working groups and partnerships with agencies, non-profit organizations, and community members.

As a member of the Science team, the Associate Natural Resource Scientist plays a crucial role in the stewardship of Metro’s natural areas and nature parks. Managed by the Science and Stewardship Division Manager, the Associate Natural Resource Scientist will initially work closely with Principal and Senior Natural Resource Scientists, gaining hands-on experience and leadership skills. As you become more familiar with our portfolio and procedures, you will take on increasing responsibility for projects and sites. Positioned in the second tier of our four-tier scientist job progression, you'll have the opportunity to lead junior staff, volunteers, interns, and contractors in the field, with room for career advancement based on your skills and our program needs.

As an Associate Natural Resource Scientist you will

• Plan, implement and report on ecological management, restoration, monitoring and occasional research projects within Metro’s Natural Areas and Nature Parks portfolio.
• Maintain knowledge of the ecological condition of assigned sites and broader portfolio.
• Develop or update Site Conservation Plans, in consideration of Tribal, local, regional, and national conservation priorities.
• Alone and in partnership with other Metro staff, plan, implement, and oversee multiple simultaneous habitat enhancement, monitoring and research projects, including project plans, budgets, and contractor scopes of work for contractors, invoices, and completion reports.
• Lead or support early management (stabilization) of newly acquired properties.
• Help develop and manage on-call contracts, including writing or reviewing scopes of work and requests for proposals / bids, and tracking utilization.
• Assist in development of program policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain collaborative partnerships within and outside Metro to prioritize, develop, and implement projects, including Tribes, non-profit organizations and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Communities and others to plan and implement restoration, stabilization, and long-term habitat and infrastructure maintenance projects.
• Provide conservation science expertise and perspective in site master planning, park development, land management, real-estate, nature education and community land stewardship, communication, regional transportation, tribal government relations, urban growth, waste management or other issues under Metro’s work umbrella,
• Track, identify and interpret regional data; develop and interpret conservation data; and plan, prioritize and implement conservation actions while coordinating regional conservation efforts.

Attributes for success

• Understanding the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and racism on the conventional conservation movement and its impact on indigenous people and communities of color.
• Working knowledge of ecology, conservation, restoration biology, and natural resources management, including adaptive and invasive species management (i.e., knowledge of the use of herbicides and other techniques for selectively controlling non-native and invasive plants).
• Awareness of indigenous traditional ecological and cultural knowledge and ability to work across cultures and ways of knowing.
• Familiarity with the Pacific Northwest ecosystem or the ability to quickly learn new systems.
• Ability to read and interpret landscapes to develop management prescriptions and develop scopes of work and basic contracts for services.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, maintain detailed project records and oversee project budgets.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively, including leading meetings, participating in technical working groups, and managing field crews or stream or wetland construction projects.
• Ability to present scientific information to technical and non-technical audiences through writing and speaking.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning.
• Basic computer skills: Word, EXCEL, Outlook, PowerPoint or similar, internet. 

 
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION                                              
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.  
 
Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan
 
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Two years of experience leading restoration practice or natural resources project management involving active management of land, AND
• Bachelor's degree in, Biology, Botany, Entomology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Zoology, or a directly related field; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Special Requirement

• A valid driver's license.

Working Conditions 
Duties are performed in an office environment and in the field. This position frequently requires walking on uneven or rough terrain in all weather conditions. This position requires talking (both in person and over the phone), sitting, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists and good general hearing and vision ability. It may also require the ability to lift or carry up to 40 pounds. Incumbents in this position are required to attend offsite meetings during and after normal work hours.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
 
Hybrid Telework
At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro

Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Advanced degree or special certifications in botany, entomology, fisheries science, forestry, river ecology, soils science, wildlife biology or related field.
• Significant expertise in at least one specific subject area (e.g. botany, entomology, fisheries science, forestry, indigenous traditional ecological and cultural knowledge, river ecology, soils science, wildlife biology etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to apply the principles of anti-racism in conservation work.
• Demonstrated success writing grant proposals.
• Skilled in a language other than English, especially Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
• Familiarity with the basic principles of geographic information systems, including field mapping tools and ARC-GIS software.
• Experience getting complex projects through local, state and federal permitting.
• Ability and willingness to obtain an herbicide applicator’s license within 6 months of hiring.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application. No other materials will be considered.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Candidates who meet minimum qualifications will be asked to submit responses to supplemental questions
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Driving records check for finalists

 
COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON
The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $76,835.20 to step 7 $103,064.00. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1 $76,835.20 to the equity range step 5 $93,496.80.
 
This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580. It is classified as an Associate Natural Resource Scientist.
 
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
 
Questions?
Talent Acquisition Specialist: Jasmine Cardenas  
Email: Jasmine.Cardenas@oregonmetro.gov