Visiting Wildlife/Forestry Biology Specialist

Visiting Wildlife/Forestry Biology Specialist

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) seeks three 12-month, 100%-time visiting academic professionals to conduct natural resources management and prescribed burns at Fort Polk, Louisiana with the goal of improving natural habitats for endangered species. This position may become non-visiting in the future dependent upon funding and programmatic needs. 

Responsibilities:

·       Conduct systematic monitoring of vegetation and bird communities.

·       Collect and analyze monitoring data; create and maintain databases.

·       Make independent, informed decisions in the field regarding natural resources management.

·       Be creative in addressing novel issues with the ultimate goal of creating and maintaining high-quality habitat, as well as understanding the monitoring protocol and the need for experimental and control plots.

·       Determine and strategically remove invasive plant species, identify and selectively cut trees to improve forest conditions, and create fire breaks.

·       Conduct wildland fire operations which include ignition, control, mop-up, suppression, preparation of fire lines, maintaining equipment, and monitoring. 

·       Collect vegetation data related to fuel loads.

·       Manage Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, maintain appropriate habitat via prescribed burns, and monitor woodpecker populations.

·       Monitor other endangered species for research on the population dynamics of endangered species.

·       Collect and archive field data using basic field equipment (e.g. GPS).

·       Produce reports on the status of endangered species and the effects of prescribed burns.

·       Operate equipment required to perform routine maintenance of natural resources (e.g. backhoe, tractor, chainsaws, ATVs, etc.). 

Qualifications:

Required:  Bachelor’s degree in NRES or related field.  Two years of experience that includes prescribed burns, monitoring wildlife, operating equipment associated with natural resource management (chain saws, ATVs), and organizing data for analysis.  Must obtain a CDL, a red card, and fulfill the physical/medical requirements necessary for Federal Interagency Wildland Fire Fighter Medical Qualification Standards within 90 days of being employed.

Preferred:  Knowledge of Fort Polk, Louisiana wildlife and vegetation, and the ability to identify local vegetation and bird species (by both sight and sound).

Salary and Starting Date: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Starting date is as soon as possible after closing date.

Closing Date: For full consideration all requested information must be received by October 5, 2014.

Application Procedure: Please create your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload your cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references. For further information regarding application procedures, you may contact Carol Preston at preston1@illinois.edu. For more information about the Department of NRES, please see our website at http://nres.illinois.edu/.

Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).