Research Scientist, Marine Zoologist

~ Founded in 1911, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the nation's oldest and most respected school dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies and building a sustainable future. ~

The ESF main campus is in Syracuse, NY and has regional campuses throughout Central New York and the Adirondack Park. ESF consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Peterson's Guide, The Washington Monthly, Princeton Review and other national college guidebooks.

Position Overview

Background:

The New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) is a program of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY- ESF) whose mission is to facilitate the conservation of New York's biodiversity by providing comprehensive information and scientific expertise on rare species and natural ecosystems.

NYNHP works in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other state, federal, and private organizations involved in natural resource management, land protection and stewardship, and advancing the conservation of biodiversity.

The New York Natural Heritage Program uses an integrated web-enabled platform, Biotics 5, for tabular and spatial data management. Hosted in a shared cloud environment by NatureServe, and used by members of the NatureServe network, Biotics 5 provides built-in support for shared methodology and data standards.

Biotics 5 includes an ArcGIS Server-based mapping platform for spatial data, and an Oracle relational database for tabular data. NYNHP also uses ArcGIS, MS Access, MS Excel, Crystal Reports, the R statistical environment, iMapInvasives, various scripting and programming languages, and customized spatial and database applications for field data collection on Android mobile devices.

Responsibilities

Brief Description of Duties:

• The Marine Zoologist works to conserve New York's biodiversity by working with program partners to refine the list of marine animal species tracked in NYNHP's database and identify the appropriate spatial methodology for mapping occurrences of marine animals.
• Acts as liaison to agency and university faculty and staff and serves as project manager as needed.  Project manager duties could involve overseeing contractors conducting surveys for marine animals. This position will require strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple competing demands.
• Assist state regulators with environmental and permitting reviews.
• May conduct limited field work.
• Leads data storage/database tasks and GIS mapping of marine animal data in collaboration with other NHP and DEC staff.
• Coordinates with other programs in the NatureServe network and NatureServe staff on mapping occurrences of marine animals for conservation planning.
• Maintains knowledge of developments in marine species monitoring, ecology, conservation, and technologies and tools.
• Maintains relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners and the academic community.
• Writes technical reports and designs and delivers presentations on project work.
• Marine representative for NY's invasive species
• DEC technical liaison for Ocean Indicator cruises with Stony Brook University

Qualifications

Required:

• Graduate Degree in zoology, ecology, conservation biology, wildlife management, or marine sciences or Bachelor's Degree and minimum of 3 years of related experience.
• Experience in using common software applications (e.g., Word, Access, Excel, Web browsers, ArcGIS).
• Experience working with other parties to obtain data.
• Experience in collecting, manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets and preparing reports and scientific papers of findings.
• Experience synthesizing, interpreting and communicating scientific information to influence conservation practice.
• Willingness to travel to meetings and for limited field work.

Preferred: 

• Preference will be given to candidates with degrees in the marine sciences and a background in conservation methodology.
• Course work and/or field experience indicating knowledge of a wide range of marine species of New York State, or comparable work in another state, or research experience.
• Creating or assisting in creating and using databases for data entry and report production. GIS mapping and analysis. R for data manipulation and statistical analysis.
• Familiarity with both standard survey methods and animal species identification.
• Marine and/or fisheries survey or field work study design, planning, and implementation including field experience desired.

Compensation: Minimum $60,000 per year (Full time).

The Research Foundation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.