What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientist - Fire Ecology position at Missouri Department of Conservation?
Requisition Id: 3701
Salary: $56,304.00 - $70,272.00
Salary Grade: S9
Job Location: Commission Headquarters (JEFFE1)
Closing Date: March 5, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor- Elizabeth W Prentice at Ellie.Prentice@mdc.mo.gov or at 573-815-7900 Ext. 2929. We'd love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Conduct and facilitate fire related research and monitoring projects, in coordination with Science, Statewide, and Regional Management Branches to support management objectives across multiple habitat types in Missouri.
Essential Job Duties
- Develop, administer, coordinate projects dealing with long-term ecosystem level fire related research regarding priority issues that support local, regional, and statewide habitat management.
- Assist all Branches as needed for emerging needs such as wildfire suppression, research sampling, implementation of prescribed fire, introduction of fire to varying ecosystems.
- Conduct research on fire ignition, burn-patterns, and species responses for forest and grassland systems. Maintain the accuracy and availability to information in various databases.
- Set direction for applied fire science for the interaction of terrestrial and aquatic species and fire behavior on associated habitats.
- Test, evaluate and implement new or existing sampling gear to assess biological and physical changes to terrestrial habitats.
- Develop measurable objectives and hypotheses, conduct extensive literature review, develop statistically sound study designs and sampling schedules, select appropriate study sites, QA/QC data to defend suggested paths forward for management actions, regulations, and assessment procedures.
- Work in assigned research area to inform species of conservation concern, T&E species, population dynamics, and abundance and distribution of terrestrial and aquatic species and their associated habitat system.
- Create various technical and non-technical presentations and publications for scientific journals, papers, posters, pamphlets, websites, and popular articles.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
- Assist in preparation of cooperative agreements, grant proposals, and budgets and monitor compliance.
- Participate in project reviews and on project review teams for other research projects.
- Provide scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
- Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Master's Degree in Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Biological Sciences, GIS, Environmental Science, or other Natural Resources.
- At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to operate fire equipment, land maintenance equipment, power tools and large trucks pulling trailer.
- Ability to traverse uneven and steep terrain.
- Ability to lead crews during high stress situations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to travel and work varying shifts, as required.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing, fire, and other protection gear.
Physical Abilities
- Remain stationary up to 50% of the time.
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Regularly lift up to 30 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Salary : $56,304 - $70,272
