Resource Science Supervisor

The Missouri Department of Conservation has a position available for a Resource Science Supervisor in Columbia, Missouri.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Overview

Terrestrial Systems staff strives to understand plant and animal habitat relationships, monitor population status, and develop harvest and species management recommendations. Personnel in this unit conduct a broad array of research and surveys, often in collaboration with other scientists such as university faculty and U.S. Forest Service Experiment Stations. Staff are regularly involved with specialized projects to monitor wildlife diversity across our state. Projects such as the Flora of Missouri, in cooperation with the Missouri Botanical Garden, are documenting the range and status of the over 3,000 plants found in Missouri. Annual population surveys of reptiles and amphibians, songbirds, mourning doves, wild turkey, white tailed deer, and bats secure the knowledge necessary for regulations and habitat conservation. Studies, such as those currently underway to measure the effects of timber harvest on water quality and the economics of conservation buffers, assist in ensuring that private landowners have the information needed to make land management decisions. Surveys of constituent attitudes, such as Farming Landowner Attitudes towards Deer and Spring Turkey Hunter Attitudes, are an integral part of gauging citizen desires and ensure the development of responsive management actions.

Supervision

Supervises and directs Terrestrial Systems program of the Resource Science Division. The program unit is currently comprised of eight permanent Resource Scientists, one term Resource Science Staff Biologist, one Resource Science Assistant, and temporary personnel (10 15) and various volunteer workers. Administers and coordinates all activities of the unit; administers Department policies; justifies and recommends staffing needed to fulfill responsibilities for assigned projects; recruits and hires professional staff; identifies, coordinates, reviews and approves projects to ensure scientific information needed for management of Missouri's resources is considered; prepares, reviews and approves budgets for projects; assigns manpower and budgets to complete approved projects; establishes deadlines and monitors progress of projects assigned to unit personnel; ensures database, statistical and GIS review and support for projects conducted by other Resource Science programs. Evaluates employee performance, handles disciplinary, and personnel problems and establishes measurable performance standards and objectives for personnel. Recommends training to ensure development of leadership skills of employees.

Information Transfer

Serves as a liaison to Forestry Division so that their needs are incorporated into Resource Science Division planning and activities. Reviews and edits annual reports, final reports and manuscripts for scientific journals; ensures results of investigations are disseminated with emphasis on web based (intra and internet) applications; prepares strategic and operational plans for the Terrestrial Systems Program. Prepares special reports on assigned topics and represents Resource Science Division on various committees and task forces. Oversees preparation of science based regulation recommendations for deer, turkey, furbearers, other upland wildlife, herptofauna, and webless migrants and coordinates these recommendations with other divisions. Assists with the development and presentations of workshops. Promotes the integration of adaptive resource management into science projects and management activities.

Administrative Duties

Performs a variety of administrative tasks including advising and providing information and written responses to requests from the Conservation Commission, Department Administration, Division Leadership, Regulations Committee and other Department staff; serves on committees that assist in planning, setting direction and making recommendations for Department and Division programs and initiatives (for example, Conservationist Review Committee); recommends program and policy changes; reviews and comments on draft policy changes, regulation recommendations and Division and Department programs. Serves on the Resource Science Leadership Team that helps set direction and priorities for the Division, and performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation Biology, Ecological Sciences, Biology, Zoology, or in a related biological science with substantial course work in fisheries, wildlife, forestry, ecology or applicable field of study and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in management or research, three (3) years which must have been in a supervisory and/or administrative capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Compensation

Annually $45,996 - $83,676
Beginning salary will be $45,996 - $54,864, depending on qualifications.

Closing Date

August 27, 2004

To Apply

For an application, please contact:

Missouri Department of Conservation
Human Resources Division
2901 W Truman Blvd
Jefferson City MO  65102

 An Equal Opportunity Employer.