Supervisory Research Ecologist, IS-0408-14

Smithsonian Institution•Front Royal, VA

15d•$143,913 - $187,093•Onsite

About The Position

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking a Director for its Working Land & Seascapes Program headquartered in Virginia. The program conducts basic and applied research and innovates, develops, and implements science-based solutions for the conservation, restoration, and management of healthy grasslands and their biodiversity. The program is focused on cutting-edge science and technology to conserve and restore imperiled species and advance our understanding and management of grassland ecosystems; impactful education and outreach to foster the next generation of conservation leaders and practitioners; and effective partnerships that connect land managers and communities with scientists. The Working Land & Seascapes Program is part of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and the Virginia grasslands represent a core site for NZCBI’s growing global grassland conservation network.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that involved at least 30 semester hours of coursework in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
OR Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of biological sciences, statistics, or mathematics, with required coursework as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree that has equipped applicants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
Knowledge and skill in designing, developing, and executing a collaborative research program with multiple projects focused on understanding human-dominated landscapes, including but not limited to biodiversity and habitat restoration, plant and animal community ecology, regenerative agriculture, and human dimensions research.
Demonstrated success in building partnerships landowners, citizen scientists, nonprofit organizations, state and government agencies, and researchers with a range of expertise.
Experience in leading an interdisciplinary team of technicians, scientists, educators and conservation partners to accomplish impactful research and outreach initiatives focused on developing land-use practices that support wildlife and livelihood outcomes.
Experience in sharing research results with conservation partners, stakeholders, and community members through presentations, workshops, and educational materials.
Skill in developing outreach programs that communicate research findings, guide best land use management practices, and promote science-based conservation actions.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
CV/Resume must include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
CV/Resume must include the month and year of all degrees earned; professional and relevant volunteer experience; peer-reviewed publications; competitive funding received; any honors or awards received; memberships in professional societies; presentations given at national/international meetings; and names, addresses, and phone numbers of four persons familiar with your scientific stature, contributions, and recognition.
Earned, academic degrees must be verified with copies of official university transcripts that clearly state the classes taken, degree awarded, the major, and date of conferral.
CV/Resume must clearly identify how you fulfill the SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE to be considered.
A cover letter can be included with the application materials to summarize the applicant’s training, experience, and interest in the position.
Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
Complete a Probationary Period
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side.

Responsibilities

Supervises, directs, coordinates, and oversees the programs, functions, and initiatives performed by a staff of subordinate supervisors or team leaders and professional and technical support staff.
Plans work to be accomplished by the subordinate staff, sets and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities, and prepares timelines and milestones for completion of work.
Assigns work within the organization based on priorities and selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments.
Evaluates work performance of staff and subordinate supervisors and team leaders and furnishes advice to employees on both work and administrative matters.
Interviews candidates for positions and approves or recommends appointment, promotion, and reassignment.
Hears and resolves group grievances and complaints.
Reviews and approves serious disciplinary measures such as hearings, reprimands, suspensions, and demotions.
Identifies developmental and training needs of the subordinate staff and provides or arranges needed development and training.
Finds ways to reduce bottlenecks and barriers to production, and to promote team building and improve business practices.
Ensures equity of performance management and work assignments and responsibilities among subordinate organizational units.
Makes decisions on problems and issues raised by subordinate team leaders.
Approves various expenses, overtime, and travel.
Serves as principal investigator to establish, validate, and standardize novel research projects directed at investigating the ecology and conservation of wildlife populations and communities.
Performs studies that require the formulation of hypotheses and methods for resolving elusive or highly complex issues in the area of wildlife ecology.
Identifies, defines, and selects specific areas for productive investigation.
Develops complicated multi-phased research plans and protocols.
Prepares standard operating procedures for organization direction and execution of research projects through to completion.
Identifies information gaps and research needs, applying scientific methods, planning the approach for study, analyzing the data, interpreting results, and documenting and reporting findings.
Performs research for the purpose of extending knowledge and understanding in ecology for which the characteristics of the research problems are difficult to define in terms of expected outcomes and results.
Conducts and completes broad assignments for creation, maintenance, and operational management of a research program with initiative, critical judgment, and independence, while adhering to the administrative requirements of the Smithsonian and NZCBI.
Assures research quality through proper management of supplies, equipment and personnel resources required for the safe and successful conduct of incumbent’s research program at NZCBI.
Publishes and disseminates research findings that describe new or modified theories and principles, explain phenomena or ecological processes, and improve the understanding of research techniques and ecological processes.
Conceives and creates innovative and competitive research proposals, consistent with NZCBI’s and incumbent’s research objectives, which are awarded to support Smithsonian by an independent competitive review process for grants and contracts from internal and especially extramural sponsors.
Serves as an expert advisor/consultant to personnel within the scientific and professional community, in other federal agencies, universities, laboratories, zoological parks, research facilities, etc. on matters related to areas of responsibility.
Performs special services for the SI/NZCBI by active participation and leadership in fact finding committees, advisory panels, scientific review panels, etc.
Serves as a subject matter expert for the NZCBI in the development of tests and research.
Serves as a reviewer for scientific manuscripts and research proposals.
Provides peer reviews of journal manuscripts, grant proposals; serving on external advisory and review committees and panels for governmental agencies, governmental organizations, and universities/colleges; editorial leadership; and leadership for professional associations.
Provides professional advisory service to the field of research through leadership of and participation in internal and external workshops and conferences for regional, national, and international professional scientists, students, and resource managers regarding emerging issues in ecology.
Active support of public engagement and education programs, including tours, talks and information sharing.
Provide professional service to NZCBI and the SI by serving on committees, participating in pan-institutional workshops, peer-review committees, etc.
Providing mentoring, guidance, and direction to visiting scientists, research fellows, interns and volunteers involved in various program activities, including inviting, evaluating, and sponsoring applications to NZCBI/SI professional training programs.
Support capacity building through development and instruction of curricula, lectures, training materials, and manuals to train students at the graduate and professional level and serve as mentor to students and interns in applied research that addresses current methods and challenges in biodiversity conservation.
Performs other related duties as assigned.