Job Details
The Fisheries Restoration Biologist will report to the Mid-Atlantic Coldwater Habitat Program Associate Director and will assist in the development, management, and oversight of TU’s Mid-Atlantic Coldwater Habitat Program efforts on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia which includes but is not limited to large-scale watershed assessments, long term monitoring of fish and stream habitat, stream enhancement using large wood, watershed hydrology restoration including road decommissioning, aquatic organism passage projects, and riparian planting. This position will coordinate closely with TU and Forest Service staff to analyze and interpret data to support management decisions and will manage the implementation of watershed scale restoration efforts focused on coldwater resources. Most of the efforts associated with this position will be on public lands managed by the United States Forest Service but may also include efforts on lands adjacent to the National Forest. This position requires a highly motivated and self-driven person to collaborate with partner organizations to protect, reconnect, and restore coldwater resources in West Virginia. Aspects of the position also include strategic planning, fundraising, supervision of seasonal and remote field staff, as well as project identification, development, implementation, and monitoring to achieve on-the-ground conservation of aquatic resources. The position has budgetary and staff supervision responsibilities. The Restoration Biologist will have a duty station within a Monongahela National Forest Office and will also have regular interaction and coordination with TU staff, either virtually or in a shared office setting. The position will report regularly to the Greenbrier Ranger Station in Bartow, WV during the field season and intermittently during the non-field season.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate with TU and FS Fisheries Biologist and other TU and Monongahela National Forest Staff in the identification and prioritization of streams and watersheds for coldwater conservation and restoration opportunities.
- Compile, analyze, and disseminate physical, chemical, and biological data to facilitate meaningful conservation and understand long term effects within project areas.
- Identify and carry out watershed activities to facilitate watershed condition improvement
- Actively identify and pursue potential funding sources, including writing grant proposals and budgets, including both staff and implementation costs.
- Conduct outreach to partners to develop viable restoration projects including in-stream habitat restoration, aquatic organism passage restoration, road decommissioning, establishing riparian buffers and implementation of other conservation Best Management Practices.
- Manage the implementation of projects both on the ground during construction, and administratively, including the management of grants, budgets, and compliance with contract and procurement requirements.
- Assist TU staff in securing permits, contracts, and agreements for project efforts
- Present and disseminate information to a wide range of audiences including professionals, managers, regulators, and the general public.
- Serve as a liaison to the TU science team regarding coldwater conservation efforts, science, and data in West Virginia.
- Actively train and manage staff and oversee project efforts focused on the implementation of stream restoration using large wood material, aquatic organism passage, natural stream channel design, and other conservation projects.
- Regularly communicate, coordinate, and update MNF staff on project implementation status
- Hire, supervise and manage seasonal field staff to achieve conservation goals
This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s and/or higher-level degree in fisheries science, biology, environmental science, environmental or civil engineering, natural resources management or related field with preference given to advanced degree holders as relevant to the position.
- 3-years professional experience working with landowners, resource managers, and other interested parties in a collaborative setting to achieve conservation outcomes.
- A working knowledge of principles and practices of fisheries and aquatic resource management with particular emphasis on fish passage and stream habitat requirements of brook trout.
- Knowledge of Appalachian aquatic ecosystems
- Demonstrated experience with data management and analysis including compiling, analyzing, and disseminating scientific information to a wide variety of audiences
- Ability to use ArcGIS to assist in data analysis and project dissemination
- Ability to apply specialized knowledge to independently complete tasks and resolve issues involving relatively complex factors.
- Ability to work with multiple and diverse partners in a highly collaborative and inclusive manner.
- Experience managing multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with grant writing and grant/budget management.
Requirements
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with data collection technology and software (ArcGIS applications including Field Maps/Collector, Total Station, Real Time Kinematic GPS equipment, AutoCAD, etc)
- Experience with statistical analysis software such as R
- Demonstrated experience with aquatic organism passage projects, habitat enhancement projects using large wood, road surveys, stream surveys etc.
- Hands on or construction management experience relevant to coldwater restoration projects.
- Supervisory experience in remote field settings.
Work may at times be physically demanding. May require walking and maintaining balance on slippery surfaces and sloping, highly uneven stream banks, and in conditions of moderate streamflow; may require lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying of field equipment over long distances. The position will also require day travel to remote areas.
Salary and Benefits
Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. At TU, we value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values https://www.tu.org/equity/.
Contact
Dustin Wichterman
Contact Information
Trout Unlimitedhttps://jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id=88988
Post Date: 1/28/2024 9:26:53 PM
Closing Date: 1/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
