Field Biologist/Range Ecologist

As part of the Nevada System Education, Desert Research Institute (DRI) conducts cutting-edge applied research in air, land and life, and water quality across Nevada, the United States, and on every continent.

Position Overview:

The Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences (DEES) of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Las Vegas, Nevada is seeking a field biologist/range ecologist to fill a .60 FTE position at the Assistant or Associate Scientist level. To qualify for a 1 FTE full-time appointment, the person selected will be expected to secure additional funding of their own research interests to augment the additional .40 FTE funding.  

Responsibilities:

An individual is sought with:

• Scientific knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Great Basin and Mojave Desert ecosystems;
• Experience conducting environmental impact studies (EIS) and environmental assessments (EA) including data collection, analysis and report writing;
• Experience designing and implementing scientific monitoring and assessment studies; and
• The ability to conduct such programs of study independently in remote areas.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen eligible to obtain a high-level DOD security clearance to comply with U.S. Government contract requirements; 
• MS in biology, ecology, or a related natural resources field of study from an accredited institution;
• Demonstrated experience conducting field studies in support of EIS/EAs;
• Demonstrated significant authorship contribution to EIS/EA documents;
• Demonstrated research and/or monitoring study experience in the US southwest or similar desert environment;
• Working knowledge of database management for field data;
• Valid driver's license; and
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Ph.D. in a field related to ecology or natural resources;
• Working knowledge of flora and fauna in the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts;
• Recent or active DOD TS or DOE Q security clearance;
• Experience with global positioning system (GPS) units for data collection;
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
• Knowledge of nuisance wildlife removal techniques;
• Record of proposal writing and development of funding; and
• Productivity including publications, patents, or development of intellectual property.

Additional Information:

The person selected for this position will work with a team of DRI research faculty, agency personnel, and consultants to support environmental compliance and conduct monitoring and research related to military training and testing. The successful candidate will have or develop expertise in state of Nevada and federal regulations pertaining to state- and federal- listed species. The person selected for this position will conduct largely self-directed field studies within the context of policies and procedures in place related to DOD range activities.

As the environmental research arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), DRI conducts cutting-edge applied research in air, land and life, and water quality across Nevada, the United States, and on every continent. With more than 500 employees and two main campuses in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, DRI generates nearly $50 million in total annual revenue. As part of a non-teaching, research- and product-driven organization, DRI's faculty members are non-tenured, entrepreneurial, and responsible for their own salaries from external grants and contracts. This blend of academic rigor and private-sector pragmatism has earned DRI a reputation for delivering rapid, high quality environmental science in a businesslike fashion.

Conditions of Employment:

• Work in remote field locations for days at a time;
• Work a variable schedule depending on the program needs;
• Ability to lift and move objects in excess of 50 lbs.

The individual who is offered and accepts this position must provide within 30 working days of his/her start date, a copy of the transcript(s) of the highest degree she/he has acquired, as awarded by an accredited institute as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and complete necessary paperwork for a DOD or DOE security clearance if a current security clearance is not already obtained.

To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Here!" to utilize the application instructions provided on our website.  

~ DRI is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer and auxiliary services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. DRI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sex, age, marital status, disability, and veteran status in programs and activities. DRI does not discriminate on any prohibited ground against applicants for employment, employees, or individuals with disabilities. ~