Biologist – Elliott State Research Forest

Are you an experienced Biologist interested in working at a world-class research forest? Apply to be our Biologist (Natural Resource Specialist 4) for the Elliott State Research Forest by November 4th, 2024! This position is eligible for a hybrid remote schedule and available as a Job Rotation for existing state employees. Non-state employees are encouraged to apply; the position is currently a Limited Duration position and is expected to become permanent.

Make a Difference for Oregon. The Department of State Lands (DSL) manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As the Elliott State Research Forest Biologist, you will too.

At the State Land Board’s direction, DSL has been advancing a collaborative effort to transition the Elliott State Forest to a research forest and an internationally important center for forest science and management. We are now hiring a team of staff who will work with current DSL staff as well as external partners to stand up this new program for operational management of the Elliott State Research Forest.

The successful candidate for this position will advance wildlife and habitat management and conservation of the Elliott, under direction of the forest’s Manager, DSL Director, Board of Directors, and State Land Board.

This is a limited duration appointment and is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position is supported by existing limited duration legislative funding and is expected to become permanent.

We invite you to join us for an informational session to learn more about the Biologist position and the Elliott State Research Forest.

Here are the details for the information session:

• When: Monday, October 28th, 2024
• Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (PST)
• Format: Virtual session via Microsoft Teams (see details below)
• Purpose: This session is designed for individuals interested in learning more about the Forester role. The information session provides an opportunity to interact with our local staff, hiring manager, and recruiters as well as ask questions.

Please note that this session is not part of the interview process and is open to the public.

To join the session via your computer, mobile app, or room device, simply click on the link below:

Microsoft Teams  LINK Need help?

Meeting ID: 260 712 689 950       

Passcode: b2z6DL                           

We look forward to having you join us and to providing valuable information about this exciting opportunity. Thank you for your interest!

What’s in it for you?

• Serve as the lead Biologist as a central part of the new team to manage, research and report on fish and wildlife management and conservation in the Elliott.
• Receive 1-on-1 mentoring and support from natural resource experts.
• Join an organization with smart, driven, co-workers who care about Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities, and their co-workers.
• Gain full benefits with 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums paid by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
• Accrue 8 hours of sick leave and at least 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
• Receive 11 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 3 personal business days and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• Automatically enroll into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after 6 months of full-time service.
• Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at $5,746 – $8,831 for employees new to DSL; as a current PERS participating member, start at $6,143-$9,444.
• This position will receive a 6.55% Cost of Living Adjustment in early 2025.

This position will be located at our Shutter Creek Facility in North Bend and is eligible for hybrid remote work. The successful candidate is expected to be in office an average of three days per week, and able to telecommute two days per week. Offices are located at the Shutter Creek Facility in North Bend that is poised for transformation into a 49-acre operations hub for the Elliott State Research Forest, including laboratory, classroom, dormitory and office spaces in partnerships with local and Tribal entities. Preference may be given to applicants already located or willing to relocate within Coos or Douglas county.

Working Conditions:

Much of the work is in a hybrid office setting; fieldwork is a common and required part of the job, and occasional travel is an essential function of the position. DSL provides agency-maintained vehicles, reimbursement for field gear, and travel expenses for authorized, on-the-job travel and fieldwork. Overnight stays and/or extended work hours can be expected along with exposure to inclement weather and road conditions.

What you will be doing:

As the Biologist for the Elliott, you will advance forest management consistent with the forest’s foundational documents and Forest Management Plan, including the mission and management policies adopted by the State Land Board and the Habitat jobshiringnearme.org Plan. You will have the opportunity to:

• Develop, plan, and advance forest management, monitoring, habitat conservation and research activities consistent with the Elliott’s fish and wildlife conservation policies and commitments.
• Support contract administration for fish and wildlife-related forest management services.
• Collaborate with other staff in the development of or advancement of decisions on timber sales, road system management, reforestation and plantings, restoration projects, emergency response, and general forest management of public uses including potential closures.
• Represent agency as the forest’s fish and wildlife lead to the public and in working groups or meetings associated with creation and advancement of the Elliott.
• Engage in implementation and adaptive management decision-making and related committees associated with the Habitat jobshiringnearme.org Plan, Forest Management Plan, and other efforts.
• Act as the Department’s lead for advancing fish and wildlife-related monitoring efforts and commitments, habitat restoration, reporting, and partnership engagement in fish and wildlife monitoring, management, habitat restoration, and research.
• Develop, enter, and oversee interagency or other partner agreements with entities related to fish and wildlife and/or habitat management, conservation, or habitat restoration.
• Participate in program staff meetings, outreach activities and public meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- to be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and/or experience

:

Four (4) years of experience in fish, wildlife, forest, or other natural resource management, at least one year must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations or coordinating and monitoring project activities;

AND

A bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife science, conservation, forestry, forest management, environmental science, natural resource management or another related field.

OR

Three (3) additional years of related experience.

NOTE: A master’s degree in wildlife science or a closely related field will substitute for up to one year of the required experience and a doctorate degree in wildlife science or a closely related field will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Applicants who have obtained a master’s degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The master’s degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately, and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES- tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials:

• Working knowledge of the life histories and habitat needs of a variety of fish and wildlife species relevant to the forest’s landscape and recommended best management practices. This includes experience identifying habitat types, vegetation, aquatic and terrestrial animal species.
• Knowledge or experience relevant to any of the following:  habitat restoration practices, carbon sequestration practices, species and/or habitat monitoring, or research.
• Knowledge of grant writing and preparation, contracting processes and budget management.
• General knowledge of land use regulations, hazardous waste rules and property development.
• Excellent verbal and written skills including working with operators, landowners, and the public in communicating technical information related to biology, habitat, and management.
• Experience or education in using GIS to create project maps, especially use of ArcPro or ArcGIS Online.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software to communicate information and technical data.
• Ability to work in an outdoor environment for an extended time and traverse uneven terrain.
• Skill in researching information from all relevant sources to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Experience handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Skill in using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Ability to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

How to apply:

• Complete the following required steps:
  • Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer, and any relevant volunteer and/or internship experience.
  • Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “Desired Attributes” section above.
    • Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
    • Please address your cover letter to Chris Castelli, Deputy Director of the Land Management Division.
    • Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “Desired Attributes” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.
    • You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.
  • Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application. If you are applying as an existing state employee for the Job Rotation option, please upload permission from your current supervisor.
• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians.

Additional Information:

• We’re recruiting multiple positions for the Elliott – please check out our current openings on our website and sign up for job alerts via Workday.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future positions.
• This position may be contingent upon the outcome of a driving records check.
• For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, visit the Oregon job opportunities website.
• DSL complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.
• For questions, assistance, or if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact tricarico.schwartz@dsl.oregon.gov.