Research Institute Employment

Forester – Western Virginia

The IUP Research Institute is a separate 501c3 affiliate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with the mission to advance the research agenda and educational objectives of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and partner institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and to promote greater collaborations across the system

Background:

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Research Institute, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is looking for a motivated individual to work effectively with private forest landowners and local conservation partners in the Appalachian Mountain region of Virginia. The selected individual will conduct landowner outreach, collect, and review silvics data, draft forest management plans, and prepare stands for project implementation for landowners interested in being part of NRCS’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) partnership to assist in the recovery of the Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA), while also promoting forest health and timber production objectives.

Primary duties:

• Work with NRCS field offices, IUP-RI staff, as well as local partners such as VA Dept. of Forestry, VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources, USFWS, NGOs (American Bird Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, etc.), consulting foresters, and others to:
• Promote forest management that benefits healthy forests and imperiled wildlife to private landowners, consulting foresters and loggers; including helping organize and conduct outreach and training workshops.
• Identify and directly contact private landowners with NRCS-based forest stewardship opportunities intended to benefit forest health and wildlife.
• Conduct site visits to provide technical assistance to interested landowners and advance forest management plan development.
• Work with NRCS field offices, the VA Golden-winged Warbler Coordinator, and other forestry resource professionals to draft and implement management plans according to NRCS practice standards and focal species’ best management practices.
• Assist with the implementation of conservation plans on private lands using established forest management guidelines known to improve forest health, promote desired regeneration, and benefit Golden-winged Warblers and associated wildlife.
• Assist with monitoring and tracking project activities using an electronic database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success, and potentially assist with focal species monitoring.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Forestry is required. A strong understanding of forest stand improvement practices and wildlife conservation in eastern deciduous forests is a must.
• Experience working with private landowners as well as public agencies (NRCS, USFWS, state forestry and wildlife agencies, etc.) strongly desired.
• Professional skills, knowledge, and experience to assess, devise, and apply strategies for forest management to meet desired forestry and wildlife habitat objectives. Experience developing and implementing site-specific forest management plans/practices, and the ability to utilize forest inventory tools/inventory protocol needed.
• Willing and able to travel throughout western Virginia with occasional overnight travel as project area covers 29 counties. Applicant should be prepared to spend as much as 10% of their time away from home. Use of NRCS vehicles for site visits is provided and IUP-RI will cover expenses related to overnight travel.
• Knowledge of NRCS landowner cost-share programs such as EQIP desired.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to be self-motivated, responsible, and solve problems. Applicant must be able to develop and manage their own daily work schedule to achieve results and work independently
• Ability to use GIS, Google Maps, etc. to identify and delineate project boundaries; and Microsoft Excel and Google Drive to manage project information.
• Willing and able to work in physically challenging environment under adverse conditions. IUP-RI provides a GPS unit, cruising vest, prism, flagging, forestry paint, etc. Potential projects are in heavily forest landscapes and often in rugged terrain, so comfort, ability, and desire to navigate environments is required.
• Forester will be required to participate in specific NRCS training programs in order to use NRCS facilities, computers, and equipment. Applicant must have a valid driver's license.
• Though this position is largely field, or home office based, candidates should plan to be located near the NRCS field office in Lexington, VA. The forester will be an IUP-RI employee and represents IUP-RI in its work. The forester will be supervised by the IUP-RI project manager in partnership with VA NRCS staff.

For full consideration, submit cover letter and resume via e-mail to Researchinstitute-2@iup.edu. Please put “Forester – Western Virginia” in subject line. Review will begin immediately. No phone calls please.

The IUP Research Institute does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), disability, age, citizenship status, genetic information, GED rather than high school diploma, use of service animal and relationship or association with a disabled person

Position Summary:

Title:  Science Coordinator

Location: Central Pennsylvania with remote work possible

Supervisor: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute

Application Deadline: Until suitable candidate is found

Term of Position: 2 years with possibility for extension

Background:

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Research Institute, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is looking for a motivated individual to coordinate and facilitate science partnerships in the eastern deciduous forests landscape. The selected individual will work on an interdisciplinary team to identify and address critical science needs related to the delivery of NRCS technical and financial assistance within the priority region, including science needs of the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) partnership.

Primary duties:

Work with NRCS staff, IUP-RI staff, and others to:

• Collect and summarize the scientific literature relevant to NRCS and partner forestry and wildlife conservation programs and practices.
• Synthesize and disseminate existing scientific knowledge to the widest audience possible, including local NRCS offices and the larger conservation partnership groups. Particular attention will be paid to any “lessons learned” that can be immediately incorporated into the NRCS and partner efforts.
• Organize a meeting(s) with conservation partners to facilitate the communication of scientific knowledge across landscape partnerships.
• Create a collaborative approach for higher level identification and prioritization of current and future science needs within the landscape.
• Identify and expedite funding for an initial suite of projects to address critical science needs.
• Develop a partnership approach for facilitating outcome evaluation and reporting that can be implemented during the planning stage of individual conservation actions.
• Improve planning for on-going and emerging challenges and conservation opportunities, including climate smart agriculture and Farm Bill funding cycles.
• Create a communication framework that can be coordinated across the entire partnership including regional, state, and local NRCS staff.
• Explore ways to extend this model to other priority geographies of WLFW and NRCS activity.

Position Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to organize/facilitate/travel to/attend in-person meetings in the northeastern US is required.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results, and meet deadlines is required.
• Proven ability to be self-motivated, responsible, and solve problems is required. Applicant must be able to develop and manage their own daily work schedule to achieve results and work independently, while communicating regularly and effectively with the team.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Forestry or related field is required.
• A strong understanding of forest stand improvement practices and wildlife conservation in eastern deciduous forests is required.
• Professional skills, knowledge, and experience to assess, devise, and apply strategies for forest management to meet desired forestry and wildlife habitat objectives is strongly desired.
• Experience working with private landowners as well as public agencies (NRCS, USFWS, state forestry and wildlife agencies, etc.) is strongly desired.
• Knowledge of NRCS landowner cost-share programs such as EQIP is desired.

Though this position is largely home office based, candidates should plan to be located in the eastern US. Candidates requesting remote work status must have existing reliable internet and telephone service at the proposed remote work site. The Science Coordinator will be an IUP-RI employee and represents IUP-RI in its work. The position will be supervised by the IUP-RI project manager.

Salary:

The salary for this position is $48,000 - $50,000/yr + benefits.

To Apply:

Please send a single PDF document containing 1) cover letter, 2) resume or CV, and 3) names and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Jeff Larkin at Researchinstitute-2@iup.edu. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Jeff by email (larkin@iup.edu).

* The IUP Research Institute does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), disability, age, citizenship status, genetic information, GED rather than high school diploma, use of service animal and relationship or association with a disabled person