Riparian Ecologist

The incumbent’s primary responsibility will be managing the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) programs for Arctic grayling in Region 3. This duty involves coordinating with agency partners, private landowners, and interest groups, developing site-specific management plans with private landowners, ensuring landowner compliance with site specific plans, and completing reporting and administrative obligations with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as outlined in the CCAA for Big Hole Arctic grayling and CCAA for Centennial Valley Arctic grayling.  Specific emphasis will be placed on completing riparian assessments and developing riparian management plans or modifying site plans by synthesizing collected riparian, discharge, and entrainment data with knowledge of grazing systems, stream process, ecology, and restoration principles. The incumbent is also responsible for coordinating grayling conservation/restoration projects in the Missouri River headwaters, with emphasis on the Big Hole and Red Rock drainages. This includes coordinating with various agencies, private landowners, and the public, pursuing funding, directing MEPA, assisting with NEPA, developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance for conservation plans through the CCAA programs, completing associated stream permitting and wetland delineations, and conducting habitat surveys directed toward conservation and restoration of grayling populations.  The position conceptualizes problems, collects habitat information, prepares reports interpreting results to the public and professional organizations; identifies and implements conservation and restoration strategies to enhance, expand, and protect grayling populations and grayling habitat; and makes management recommendations to the Region 3 Native Fish Program Manager, the Region 3 Native Fish Biologist, and area management biologists. The incumbent develops, implements, and evaluates agreed upon actions with little or no direct supervision, in a collaborative fashion with area FWP management biologists, and is largely responsible for scheduling and coordinating work activities.

Communication skills and people skills are critical. The incumbent must have the ability to communicate with multiple and diverse interests. Training in human dimensions is desirable. Incumbent must have proficient writing skills to produce scientific reports and articles to the public. Considerable knowledge of riparian management and ecology, rangeland ecology and management, development of grazing management plans, stream ecology, geomorphology, and hydrology are important: including understanding ecological interrelationships, research methods, scientific study design, and principles of riparian and range management and stream form, function, and ecology. Must have knowledge of statistical and quantitative analyses of biostatistical data. Must be able to design data entry forms, compile data sets and check programs for errors. Data management requires knowledge of computer programs (such as Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point) and use ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Field Maps, and ArcGIS Survey123 proficiently. Must be able to train subordinates and give clear, concise instructions. In addition, this position oversees a full-time technician. Lastly, this position must establish and maintain effective working relationships with private landowners, fellow employees, other agencies, various interest groups, and the public.