Great Rivers

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

Employment Opportunities

Job Opportunities in Vegetation at Grand Canyon National Park in 2010

In 2010, Grand Canyon National Park's Vegetation Program will have a number of opportunities for paid employment and internships conducting vegetation management and monitoring activities including disturbed site restoration, invasive plant control, native plant propagation, and rare plant monitoring. Our vegetation staff is highly skilled and motivated and is ready to mentor you! Look for details on qualifications needed and how to apply on the web sites below.

Crew leaders (GS-6 pay rate) - open on USAJOBS until Oct. 24, several openings for crew leaders for the invasive plant crew, the restoration crew and the nursery crew, working from about mid-January through fall. Need at least 24 semester hours of natural science and some related experience. http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/

Crew members (GS-5 pay rate) - look for openings on USAJOBS soon for several openings for crew members on the invasive plant crew, the restoration crew and the nursery crew, working from about mid-March or mid-May through late summer. Need at least 24 semester hours of natural science coursework. http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/

SCA internships (stipend) - frequently check out the Student Conservation Association's website for internships at Grand Canyon, both individual positions and corps team opportunities. These start throughout the year and last from three months to a year. http://www.thesca.org/

Other internships (stipend) - look for internships at the park through the Grand Canyon Association, the Ecological Monitoring & Assessment Program & Foundation, and Northern Arizona University. http://www.grandcanyon.org/ and http://www.emaprogram.com/index.asp

Volunteer positions - short and longer term Volunteers In Parks opportunities are available and are a great way to see what we do and get some experience. http://gcvolunteers.org/

Postdoctoral Associate in Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry

The Department of Hydrology and Water Resources at the University of Arizona is seeking applications for a postdoctoral associate to work on an interdisciplinary project examining the effects of tree death due to insect infestation on water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles in montane forests of the western United States. The successful candidate will join a multidiscplinary team working at sites that span a latitudinal gradient from the sky islands in Arizona, through NM, CO, and WY. Candidates should have expertise in at least one of the following areas: hydrological, hydrometeorological, or biogeochemical instrumentation and analysis; water or carbon isotopic analysis; biogeochemical or ecosystem modeling; plant physiological ecology. Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as experience and willingness to work in both field and laboratory setting required. Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Funding is available at least through December 2010. Please send a short statement of interest, a current CV, and the names of three references to Professor Paul D. Brooks (brooks@hwr.arizona.edu)

Post Doctoral Research Opportunity in Wildfire Risk Assessment

The University of Montana has a post-doctoral researcher position in wildlife risk assessment in Northwest Montana. The researcher will work with Tony Prato who is PI for the project.

The University of Montana, College of Forestry and Conservation is recruiting a Post Doctoral Researcher in Wildfire Risk Assessment to fill a 3 year full-time position. There is potential to extend the position an additional 12 months subject to needs and performance. The duty station is Kalispell, Montana. The successful applicant will collaborate on a research project with scientists from the Fire Sciences Lab of the Rocky Mountain Research Station of the USDA Forest Service, Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems at the University of Missouri, the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, and others.

The successful applicant will have primary responsibility for: (1) planning and conducting research on a coupled natural-human systems model of the complex socio-ecological interactions among future climate change, economic growth, land use policy, and wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface in the Northern Rocky Mountains; (2) planning and coordinating stakeholder involvement in the research project; (3) collecting and analyzing requisite data; (4) presenting research results at project and professional meetings; and (5) publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals. Desired skills for the position include knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: agent-based modeling; forest ecology and management; natural resource economics; and principles of decision-making under risk and uncertainty. A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, technical specialists, and stakeholders is essential. Stakeholders include land and wildland fire management agencies, homeowners, land developers/homebuilders, and community/regional planners.

Desirable candidates will demonstrate a strong scholarly background with a doctoral degree in forest management, natural resource economics, geography, decision sciences, or related disciplines. Essential requirements of this position include a familiarity with natural resources issues, a potential ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines relevant to the research project, and an ability to publish works relevant to the research project. In addition, candidates must be willing and able to plan, organize, coordinate, analyze, and implement a program of work that includes scientists and technical specialists that are not necessarily under their direct supervision.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Screening of applicants will commence 15 January 2010 and continue until the position is filled. The position will begin immediately, contingent on availability of the successful applicant.

Interested applicants, or those desiring further information, should contact Tyron Venn at tyron.venn@umontana.edu, 406-243-6702 or Tony Prato at pratoa@missouri.edu, 406-858-2235. Applications must include a letter of interest, CV, academic transcripts (copies are acceptable), and contact information for three professional references. Please email or post applications to Tyron Venn, College of Forestry and Conservation, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812.

Community Information
Kalispell is a dynamic and growing community located in Northwest Montana on the west side of the continental divide. It is the business center of the Flathead Valley servicing approximately 125,000 residents and the county seat of Flathead County. Kalispell has six elementary schools, a junior high school, two high schools, four private schools, and Flathead Valley Community College. The city is situated at 2,959 feet above sea level. Flathead County contains numerous national and state forests, parks, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and recreational areas, including Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Resort. Several rivers flow through the Flathead Valley. Kalispell is a 20-minute drive from Flathead Lake, the largest body of freshwater west of the Mississippi River, and 120 miles north of the University of Montana-Missoula (UM-M).

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
Qualified candidates must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform the primary functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, Vietnam era veterans, and women. This material is available in an alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans' preference in accordance with state law.

References
References in addition to those listed on the application may be contacted without the applicant's prior approval.

Testing
Individual hiring departments at UM-M may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.