[UM]

The CENTER FOR INTEGRATED RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENT (CIRE) invites applications for a RAPID RESPONSE FIELD BIOLOGIST (RRFB).  The RRFB will serve as the supervisor on a team completing a joint project between the Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) and the US Navy. The RRFB will support the daily activities of the team at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in 29 Palms, California. This position requires work on active military training ranges with potential risk for unexploded ordnance and other related hazards.

The Marine Corps Air Ground Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, is the Marine Corps’ largest combined-arms, live-fire training facility, encompassing 1,102 square miles of mostly public lands in the Mojave Desert, California. The Combat Center is divided into 27 range training area management units, each of which may contain training areas, landing fields, targetry, main supply routes, fixed ranges, support areas, expeditionary areas, and safety buffer zones. Armed forces use the Combat Center to train troops and test equipment. MCAGCC annually provides training to one-third of the Fleet Marine Force and Reserves Units. This position is dedicated to support and direct the Natural Resources Rapid Response Program operating on the MCAGCC.

MAJOR DUTIES INCLUDE:

• Implement the Wildlife Rapid Response Program by ensuring timely response to on-base calls of injured, trapped, or dangerous wildlife (e.g., snakes, desert tortoises, birds, etc.). Remove wildlife and transport to on- of off- base veterinarian, or otherwise follow base-developed protocols. Ensure on-base military personnel and contractors are made aware of and follow protocols by developing educational and interpretive materials, as necessary, and conduct outreach to on-base and contractor personnel
• Implement the desert tortoise clearance survey program for rapid-response tortoise clearance surveys of facilities and training operation areas. These rapid-response surveys require on-call personnel for routine 1 to 3-day clearance efforts to detect desert tortoise sign, burrows, and individuals, and flag any active tortoise burrows and remove any individuals likely to be impacted by base activities
• Conduct any additional rapid reconnaissance as it relates to wildlife management on base (e.g., rare animal/plant sightings and verification and post-rain event wildlife monitoring)
• Maintain GIS layers and conduct data management for the rapid response program and ensure GIS layers are integrated into MCAGCC’s GIS Natural Resources database
• Complete monthly reports to be sent to the CIRE office and produce annual reports synthesizing all data and analyses stemming from the year’s activities, ensuring that all deliverable requirements for this project are met

POSITION DETAILS

• The successful applicant will be employed full-time by the University of Montana on a 12-month Letter of Appointment, which is renewable annually based on performance and funding, and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program. 
• Position requires an alternative work schedule due to environmental fieldwork.  Schedule can be determined with on-site personnel and the CIRE Management Team.
• Salary for this position is $61,000-$68,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.

Required Skills

• Ability to interact with individuals and special interest groups with diverse and potentially conflicting viewpoints regarding natural and cultural resource management priorities.

Minimum Required Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, natural resources management, ecology, or similar field of study
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office word processing, Excel spreadsheets, and presentation software and ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in highly structured organizations, such as governmental agencies, the military or corporations, with established lines of authority, procedures and protocols.
• Master's Degree in Biology
• Experience in wildlife biology
• Desert Tortoise handling experience. Applicants without this experience will attend training and accumulate hours in the field with staff biologists, contractors, and cooperators until they reach the USFWS threshold for obtaining Authorized Biologist status
• Demonstrated ability to obtain Authorized Biologist status from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for clearance surveys and handling/moving of Agassiz’s desert tortoise
• Military experience
• Experience with ArcGIS, GPS mapping and compiling field data

ABOUT CIRE, UM AND MISSOULA

The mission of the Center for Integrated Research on the Environment (CIRE) is to promote the development of Montana’s science and technology resources at the University of Montana in Natural Resource Management and Ecology and Cultural Resource Management and Human Affairs.  It is specifically designed to work with federal, state and tribal administrations and agencies to collect, analyze, and apply environmental and cultural resource data, as well as to implement land rehabilitation and maintenance for management of public lands within a nationwide capacity.  CIRE applies best practices for sustainable use of land and water resources, innovative technologies, effective monitoring, education and training. CIRE is a center designed to handle large Cooperative Agreements (CA) with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with research tasks encompassing natural and cultural resource issues around the world. 

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five PRIORITIES FOR ACTION: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, MISSOULA, AND THE STATE OF MONTANA, PLEASE VISIT THE LINKS BELOW.

University of Montana

• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights

City of Missoula

• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

The State of Montana

• Visit Montana

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2019

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY THIS DATE WILL BE GUARANTEED CONSIDERATION.  APPLICATION REVIEW WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2019 AND CONTINUE UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below.

A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

1. LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position.
2. DETAILED RESUME – listing education and describing work experience.
3. PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Required Skills Required Experience