Senior Scientific Specialist, Endangered Species - Illinois Natural History Survey/ PRI (144379)
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Job Details

Description:

Senior Scientific Specialist or Assistant Research Scientist, Endangered Species

Illinois Natural History Survey

Prairie Research Institute

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas, and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources. INHS is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

INHS is seeking a Senior Scientific Specialist or Assistant Research Scientist to administer research activities of the Survey by developing, planning, directing, and conducting basic and applied research with an emphasis on state endangered and threatened species. This position will be located in Springfield, Illinois.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as liaison between three state agencies and the primary contact for the Natural Heritage Database, a statewide database detailing the occurrences of threatened and endangered species
• Receive, database, research, and archive, records of threatened and endangered species submitted from around the state of Illinois
• Computerize and digitize records including mapping, verifying, and updating of threatened and endangered species and their habitats.
• Coordinates with multiple entities the collection and submission of new database records, verifying for accuracy and disseminating to partnering agencies.
• Assist with maintenance, updating, and troubleshooting of Biotics 5, ArcGIS Online mapping tools, GPS and ESRI Collector software for group.
• Assist with statewide database that maintains records of all threatened and endangered species throughout Illinois.
• Expands expertise in threatened and endangered species and their associated habitats.
• Develop professional contacts and activities at a state and/or national level and building a strong professional reputation.
• Develop biological data collection and reporting methods for field staff.
• Act as primary Habitat Resources contact for the Survey and Illinois Department of Transportation project biologists.
• Compile and extract data needed to respond to natural resources information requests from various entities.
• Attend professional and scientific meetings, conferences, and training sessions to further expertise about threatened and endangered species and their natural habitats.
• Conduct and assist with biological surveys in the field.
• Serve on working groups and/or committees as Natural Heritage Database expert for various state agencies and non-profit organizations.
• Supervise, mentor, and lead staff to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignment, scheduling, and ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback, and travel approval.
• Assist with training for all new database users including field staff and interns.
• Conduct data exchange with NatureServe and with county forest preserve districts.
• Perform other duties to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
• Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

Senior Scientific Specialist Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in natural resources, ecology, wildlife biology, or related program. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Bachelor's degree with two years of experience working with natural resources. Professional database management or other computer related skills. Valid Driver's License, and certification, and work-related experience with GIS and ESRI products.

Assistant Research Scientist Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in natural resources, ecology, wildlife biology, or related program. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Bachelor's degree with 5 years of experience or Master's degree with 3 years of experience working with natural resources. Professional database management or other computer-related skills. Valid Driver's License, and certification, and work-related experience with GIS and ESRI products.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in natural resources, ecology, wildlife biology, or related program. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. One year of experience with natural resources and experience with state and federal laws governing the protection of threatened and endangered species. Biotics 5 software training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of Illinois' endangered and threatened species, and familiarity with the scientific literature and bibliographic databases concerning these species and their associated habitats. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases. Experience using mapping software including GIS and ESRI. Working knowledge of Midwestern threatened and endangered species and their associated habitats.

Environmental Demands:

Most of the work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions. Will occasionally require working in adverse field conditions (heat, humidity, biting insects,

etc.), travel (including driving to and from research sites) throughout the state of Illinois working irregular hours and overnights? lift and carry equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Proposed Start Date: Negotiable

Salary: Starting salary range for this position is $48,000 - $55,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Appointment Status: This is a regular full-time 12-month academic professional appointment, renewable annually based upon satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding. Eligible for full University benefits package as well as generous vacation and sick leave packages.

To Apply: Please complete your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a cover letter, CV/resume, and the contact information for three professional references by May 7, 2021. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

College Name or Administrative Unit:

Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation

Category:

6-Research

Title:

Senior Scientific Specialist, Endangered Species - Illinois Natural History Survey/ PRI (144379)

Open Date:

04/12/2021

Close Date:

05/07/2021

Organization Name:

Illinois Natural History Survey

This job has expired.