Research Ecologist

~ The Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC) conducts integrated research to fulfill the Department of the Interior's responsibilities to the Nation's natural resources. ~

Located on six hundred acres along the James River Valley near Jamestown, North Dakota, the NPWRC develops and disseminates scientific information needed to understand, conserve, and manage the Nation’s biological resources.  Research emphasis is primarily on mid-continental plant and animal species and ecosystems of the United States.

Position Overview 

This position is a Principal Investigator within the Wildlife and Ecosystems Branch at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. The incumbent plans and conducts investigations on the ecology and population biology of migratory birds in North America, providing resource managers with information and tools to better understand and manage migratory bird populations and habitats.

A primary focus is to work within the Great Plains Least Tern and Piping Plover Research Team to understand population dynamics and effects of management actions on least terns and piping plovers on large-river and depressional-wetland systems.

The incumbent will initially draw from approved study plans and consultations with partner agencies to formulate research questions, emphasizing population ecology, vital rates, distribution, behavior, and habitat use of terns and plovers. However, the incumbent will be expected to independently develop his/her research program toward fruitful directions on terns and plovers and within a broad area of focus, being an interface of a number of elements in quantitative ecology, including population biology, landscape ecology, avian ecology, adaptive management, decision support, data analytics, and statistics.

The incumbent identifies and outlines products and prepares scientific papers for publication in professional peer-reviewed journals and makes oral presentations at professional meetings. In addition, the incumbent represents the Center and the USGS on technical committees focused on complex issues affecting migratory waterbird management and conservation or the habitats used by migratory waterbirds.

Responsibilities

As a Research Ecologist within the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, some of your specific duties will include:

• Design, obtain funding, plan, and execute studies on the population ecology and dynamics of migratory birds.Analyze resighting data from individually marked birds to estimate population vital rates and quantify population dynamics of northern Great Plains piping plovers, and interior least terns including bird movements among sub-populations, or range-wide survival.
• Collaborate with other researchers and managers to conduct quantitative data analyses and population-level demographic analyses.
• Disseminate results of investigations by publishing them in peer-reviewed scientific and technical journals.
• Work with resource managers to identify research and monitoring needs and to evaluate the adequacy of existing monitoring programs for endangered, threatened, and other migratory bird species.
• Operates government vehicle as an incidental driver.
• The work requires the incumbent to work in both an office and field setting.
• Office work will require most working hours to be spent utilizing a computer at a desk.
• This work may cause eyestrain or other problems known to be associated with repetitive computer work.
• Fieldwork will require moderate physical exertion and average physical ability, agility, and dexterity.
• Fieldwork will require modest lifting of items up to 40 pounds, and walking over wet, rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; and bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities.
• Office work will be performed in a climate controlled office setting.
• While conducting fieldwork, the incumbent may encounter challenging environmental conditions including rain, heat, cold, and humidity, in addition to exposure to biting insects and ticks.
• USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
• The official worksite for the selectee is the duty location identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this location on a regular and recurring basis.
• Occasional Travel Overnight travel of up to 4 nights per month may be required.

Note: For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/telework.html.

Qualifications

Key Requirements

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. Selectee must provide a valid drivers license and safe driving record. Selectee required to complete a pre-employment physical.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications in full description and Other Information.

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

• GS-12 Salary: $72,168 (Step 01) to $93,821 (Step 10);
• GS-13 Salary: $85,816 (Step 01) to $111,560 (Step 10);
• NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
• This position closes on 1/30/2017
• Job Announcement Number: DEN-2017-0201
• This position is being advertised concurrently with the following announcements: Open to current or former Federal employees: DEN-2017-0202.

Click here for a full description and to apply.