Company: Colorado State University - Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Title: Aquatic Ecologist

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, or remote

Full job description: https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/153427

Apply by date: 11/21/2024

Salary Range: $51,750 - $74,500

Position Summary:         

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is Colorado’s primary biological conservation information center housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University and is Colorado’s member of the NatureServe Network. CNHP is a key player in Colorado’s conservation of open lands and maintains a centralized conservation database of plants, animals, and natural communities in Colorado. The staff consists of ~40 experienced biologists and information managers with expertise in inventory, research, and monitoring of Colorado’s flora, fauna, plant communities, and conservation. CNHP serves a wide variety of users including federal, state and local agencies, consultants, environmental groups, non-government organizations, private landowners, and the public. CNHP’s annual revenue is ~6 million dollars from contracts, agreements, and gifts through CNHP’s partners and clients. CNHP works on over 50 conservation projects per year. To learn more about CNHP’s mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/.

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000-foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking two Aquatic Ecologists. One will focus on work in Colorado and will be required to work in-person on CSU’s campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. The other will focus on work in Wyoming and will be remote optional. The Aquatic Ecologist(s) will work independently and collaboratively with CNHP staff to carry out stream monitoring projects under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Lotic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Program. The Lotic AIM Field Protocol involves collecting data on stream geomorphology, aquatic biota, water quality soil, and human disturbances.

The position(s) will manage day-to-day activities of CNHP’s multi-year contracts to monitor stream health on BLM land in Colorado and Wyoming using the Lotic AIM protocol. Standard duties will involve interviewing, hiring, and supervising hourly field technicians; planning logistics for multi-day field hitches; assisting with field training; reviewing detailed field forms to check for errors; and communication with project partners. The position involves occasional travel throughout multiple states, camping in remote settings, and long field days. However, field time will be balanced with time in the office for coordination and project management. The position requires experience with field ecology specific to stream environments and experience working with the BLM AIM program. Experience working in the Rocky Mountain and/or Intermountain West is preferred. A valid driver’s license for travel between sites is required, as is the ability to hike and navigate to field sites.

The position may assist with proposal writing, budget management, data analysis, and annual project reporting, as needed. The position requires proficiency in scientific report writing, as well as use of Microsoft Office programs and ESRI ArcGIS programs. This position is supervised by the CNHP Aquatic Ecologist RA III and is a member of CNHP’s Wetland Ecology Team.

CNHP’s home office is located on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins, CO. The position that is in-person in Fort Collins must be able to travel to various locations in Colorado for multiple days at a time. The position that is remote eligible must be able to travel to various locations in Wyoming for multiple days at a time.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of related professional experience; OR recent M.S. degree.
• Knowledge of stream ecology and experience working in these environments.
• Four field seasons (typically April-September) of experience collecting scientific data.
• Two field seasons of experience working with the BLM AIM Program or other data collection programs within the BLM.
• Experience interpreting aerial photography (e.g., Google Earth), navigating with a topographic map, and use of GPS.
• Experience with ArcGIS and associated mapping applications.
• Willingness to initiate contacts with private landowners, State and Federal Agencies and a demeanor that will facilitate this contact.
• Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules, travel during the field season, share living quarters in rustic field housing, bunkhouses, and car camping, and potentially backpack and hike long distances (up to 10 miles / day) while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs).
• Willingness and ability to work with a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, rugged terrain, hot or cold weather (30–110° F), mosquitos, and poisonous plants, all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills; ability to handle complex tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work both independently with guidance and effectively in a team.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; CNHP will not provide visa sponsorship for this position

Employee Benefits:

Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/.

Colorado State University conducts background checks on all final candidates.

CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer.