Senior Natural Resources Scientist

~ The wildest place in Oregon. The 64-acre Oregon Zoo is located in Portland, a city and surrounding metropolitan area of 2.26 million people. Annual attendance exceeds 1.6 million. With ongoing renovations to existing facilities and with every new exhibit or system, the zoo aims to be a model of sustainable conservation of natural resources. ~

Position Summary

Metro is seeking a thoughtful, dedicated and energetic individual to contribute to the Conservation Program Science Team in planning and implementing ecological restoration and park access projects within our 18,000+ acres and growing portfolio of nature parks, natural areas and developed parks, and to represent Metro in regional conservation-oriented collaborative efforts. 
 
The successful applicant will have strong technical and project management skills, an equally strong public service ethic, have a demonstrated commitment to working with historically marginalized communities and an understanding of racial equity issues in environmental science. The ideal candidate is collaborative and comfortable in a fast-paced work setting restoring natural areas to improve water quality, wildlife habitat and the visitor experience.   
 
There are three levels to the Natural Resources Scientist classification at Metro with advancing responsibility: Assistant, Associate and Senior Scientist. This opening is targeting a Senior level position, but Associate and Senior level duties are described here for clarity.

Duties Common to Senior and Associate Level:

• Natural Areas Associate (NAAS) and Senior Scientists plan, develop, implement and report on ecological restoration, monitoring and research projects within Metro's natural areas and parks portfolio.
• They lead junior staff, volunteers and contractors in the field and help develop scopes of work for contracts, and to integrate Metro's Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion plan concepts into the work.
• Metro Scientists are expected to collaborate with peers in the Natural Areas Land Management, Parks Planning and Park Operations teams, as well as represent Metro in regional working groups and other external partnerships.
• The NAAS position is managed by the Science and Stewardship Division Manager, but works in close partnership and under the leadership of Metro Senior Natural Resources Scientists for some projects.
• Over time, the NAAS may assume leadership of a greater percentage of specific projects or sites as their system knowledge and familiarity with Metro procedures develop.

Duties Specific to Senior Level:

• The Senior Natural Resource Scientist (SNRS) is distinguished from the associate level by the breadth and depth of experience and knowledge working in local habitat types and with local partners, familiarity with Metro and other agency procedures, including state and federal permitting and the ability to apply conservation biology concepts to real world situations and communicate those ideas to diverse audiences.
• The SNRS positions are further distinguished by independent responsibility for design and implementation of complex projects, day-to-day program responsibility and frequency leading other staff. The SNRS works on major or complex projects and programs that have significant potential impact or require complex analyses, evaluation, or measurement techniques and is expected to have working familiarity with all major regional habitat types.
• Examples include river side-channel construction or reconnection, wetland restoration (especially involving hydro-modification) and multi-year forest, prairie or savanna projects; especially those involving multiple public and private stakeholders and partners.
• SNRS positions are frequently regarded as an expert resource for supervisors, peers and subordinates in the program area and for regional partnerships and working groups. The SNRS will be expected to model Metro values and actively participate or lead work related to Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion Efforts.

Note: At Metro, we hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employee.

Essential Job Duties

An employee in this position must be able to perform all the essential job duties listed below with or without reasonable accommodation; however, this list is not intended to include all of the specific tasks which an employee in this position may be expected to perform.
 
Duties Common to Associate and Senior Level Positions:

• Implementation of restoration projects in the field in a variety of natural habitat types via directing the work of Metro Conservation Program technical staff, contractors, youth crews, volunteers and partners.
• Developing Project Proposals, Site Conservation Plans and Project Implementation Plans related to Metro Natural Areas.
• Providing lead or back-up representation in regional partnerships including: Cooperative Weed Management Areas, Watershed Councils and species, habitat or other regional working groups depending on specific expertise.
• Meeting with partners or community organizations to discuss potential partnerships, projects or the status of current projects, especially as portfolio knowledge and expertise develop.
• Integrating racial equity and environmental justice principles into nature science practices
• Collecting, analyzing and interpreting monitoring data.
• Drafting project completion and other reports for professional and lay audiences.
• Lead projects and management of Metro sites depending on areas of specific expertise.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Duties Unique to Senior Level:

• Experience leading work in all major habitat types of the region or demonstrated ability to quickly learn new systems.
• Leads teams of lower level professional and technical staff. Serves as technical advisor to them.
• Serves in a program or subject expert staff role to senior leadership, Metro Council and advisory committees.
• Represents the agency at meetings to give information about specific projects or natural resource concerns. As authorized, may make commitments for a specific program.
• Develops, oversees and conducts studies on complex issues and their effects on the program.
• Proposes research, scope, content, schedules and budgets for studies.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing work of professional services contractors.
• Assists in development of program policies and procedures.
• Organizes or leads regional working groups.

Note: This position is represented by AFSCME 3580 and is classified as a Senior Natural Resource Scientist (click to read the full classification). Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• The Associate level requires a Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, botany or a closely aligned field; two years' experience in restoration practice or other natural resources project management; or any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform assigned duties and a valid driver's license. 

Senior Level Position:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, botany or a closely aligned field,
• Three years' experience in restoration practice or other natural resources project management; or any combination of experience and education that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and ability to perform assigned duties.
• A valid driver's license. 

Preferred Senior Level Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in environmental science, biology, botany, ecology or a closely aligned field.
• Five years' experience serving in a leadership role managing multiple simultaneous field projects and experience implementing projects in multiple habitat types.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities, Associate and Senior level:

• Knowledge of the basic principles of conservation and restoration biology including fundamentals of ecological monitoring.
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest ecosystems composition, structure and function or proven ability to quickly learn new systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in at least one specific ecological subject area (e.g. botany, avian ecology, entomology, geomorphology, river ecology).
• Demonstrated ability to execute field projects, manage budgets and maintain detailed project records.
• Proven ability to collaborate and work independently.
• Familiarity with basic principles of GIS.
• Proven ability to oversee field work, such as managing reforestation crews or stream or wetland construction projects.
• Demonstrated technical writing competency.
• Knowledge of techniques for selectively controlling non-native and invasive plant populations, including the use of herbicides.
• Ability to be culturally competent and comfortable working with diverse communities. Multiple language skills are a plus.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of environmental justice best practices
• Competency in basic office software including word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint or other communication software and ability to learn and use databases.
• Ability to fulfill Metro's employee values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.

In Addition - Senior Level:

• Advanced knowledge of principles of conservation and restoration biology including ecological monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas to audiences of different experience levels and backgrounds.
• Proven ability to develop and lead complex projects/programs that have significant potential impact or risk, or require complex analyses, evaluation or measurement techniques.
• Demonstrated skill in technical writing, including significant grant writing experience.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple simultaneous projects, meeting budgets and project deadlines.
• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with partners from different technical or social backgrounds.

Additional Information

• Working conditions: Duties are performed in an office environment and in the field. This position frequently requires walking on uneven or rough terrain and ability to spend extended time outside in all weather conditions. This position requires talking in person and over the phone, sitting, repetitive motions of the hands/wrists and good general hearing and vision ability. It may also require the ability to lift or carry up to 40 pounds. Incumbents in this position are required to attend offsite meetings during and after normal work hours.
• Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
• Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources at 503-797-1570.
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
• Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process. 

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer