Senior Scientific Specialist, Aquatic Ecology - Illinois Natural History Survey/PRI

Duties & Responsibilities

• Research – Field Work/Data Collection
  ◦ Oversee and coordinate field work related to Great Lakes nearshore reefs to collect data needed to meet contract deliverables.
  ◦ Coordinate the deployment of acoustic telemetry equipment (receivers, acoustic tags) to address management needs for sportfish throughout the Great Lakes.
  ◦ Maintain a reference collection of lower trophic level aquatic invertebrates to assist in understanding trophic dynamics in the Great Lakes.
  ◦ Conduct and assist with other research projects on aquatic ecology and/or fisheries at the Lake Michigan Biological Station.
  ◦ Ensure the safety of staff and assist with equipment upkeep and maintenance.
  ◦ Maintain compliance with university animal care protocols (IACUC) and SOPs as related to project needs.
• Research – Data Analysis/Interpretation
  ◦ Assess data on biota associated with nearshore reefs in the Great Lakes to identify new research needs and project opportunities.
  ◦ Utilize fish movement data to understand and visualize habitat use patterns of target sportfish species in the Great Lakes.
  ◦ Conduct data verification and analysis to disseminate research findings through presentations at professional meetings, technical reports, and publishing in peer-reviewed publications.
  ◦ Provide technical guidance and assistance to interested municipal, state, and federal management agencies involved in coastal resilience in Illinois and across the Great Lakes.
  ◦ Contribute efforts towards obtaining externally funded research projects by preparing data summaries, assisting with cost estimates, and compiling relevant primary literature.
• Engagement
  ◦ Supervise and lead hourly workers to achieve success and foster a culture of innovation and high-level performance at both individual and organizational levels. This includes task assignments, scheduling, and ongoing performance management with coaching and feedback.
  ◦ Train hourly workers on aquatic invertebrate identification techniques. This includes providing relevant background, supervising training, and overseeing progress as new protocols are introduced.
  ◦ Organize and participate in scientific/technical meetings, conferences, and workshops, and participate in professional organizations.
  ◦ Respond to requests for information about aquatic ecology and provide technical expertise to the Illinois Natural History Survey staff, government agencies, academia, industry, and the general public. Responses include written memorandum reports, public presentations, telephone conversations, literature and data searches, and occasional fieldwork.
  ◦ Communicate results of studies as presentations and lectures to a wide variety of audiences in a variety of venues including public lectures and meetings, educational settings, field trips, professional organization conferences and meetings, and academic or research seminars.
  ◦ Participate in activities of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources related to the restoration and management of natural resources along the Lake Michigan coast.
• Outreach and Other
  ◦ Contribute in the areas of education, outreach, and/or service to the Illinois Natural History Survey, PRI, the University of Illinois, and the state of Illinois.
  ◦ Enhance the reputation of the Illinois Natural History Survey and PRI at the state, national, and international levels.
  ◦ Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.
  ◦ Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of PRI.