Location: Albany, NY Category: Research Foundation Posted On: Tue Jan 14 2025 Job Description: Title: Research Scientist Descriptive Title: Ecologist Department: New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY Salary: $60,000 - $70,000, depending on qualifications PROGRAM BACKGROUNDThe New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) is a program of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY- ESF). The program's mission is to collect, analyze, and share scientific information that can be used to preserve native species and ecosystems. NYNHP works in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other state, federal, and private organizations involved in natural resource management, land protection and stewardship, and advancing the conservation of biodiversity. For more information, please visit www.nynhp.org. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: + Serve as a project manager by coordinating the work of several NYNHP staff and contractors working on ecology projects. This position will focus on projects being conducted on state land in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve and in State Forests throughout New York. + Conduct landscape analyses to assess ecological integrity and identify potential inventory sites using remote sensing data, other digital and hard-copy data layers, and information from the scientific literature, government agencies, and knowledgeable individuals. + Conduct field surveys to document and map natural communities using the methods and techniques developed by the Natural Heritage Network and other experts with a focus on forest communities statewide and old growth forests on state land in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. + Participate in the ongoing development of new tools, methods, processes, and techniques that improve the collection, storage, analysis, interpretation, dissemination, and application of NYNHP information. + Assist the Chief Ecologist in the development of the state ecological community classification by transcribing and updating of high-priority natural community element occurrence records, maintaining natural community element files, and revising community descriptions. + Respond to requests for ecological information from the NYNHP database and provide interpretation, as needed. + Act as a liaison to project sponsors, present project overviews at conferences and meetings, and write progress reports as needed. NYS DEC is the primary sponsor of work in the Adirondack and Catskill landscapes. + Maintain relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners, and the academic community. + Communicate the role of the NYNHP in the conservation of New York's biodiversity and explain the utility of inventories and landscape analyses to partners and members of the public. Job Requirements: Required Qualifications: + Graduate degree in ecology, conservation biology, landscape ecology, plant ecology, botany, or forestry or bachelor's degree and minimum of 3 years of related experience. + Course work or field experience in community ecology and plant species identification. + Experience with GIS analytics and mapping; ideally including ESRI products. + Experience in using common software applications (e.g.; Word, Access, Excel, Web browsers). + Experience analyzing and interpreting scientific data and preparing reports of findings. + Knowledge of regional fauna and flora, natural communities, ecosystems, ecosystem processes, and their conservation needs. + Familiarity with aerial imagery interpretation and natural community mapping. Preferred Qualifications: + PhD in terrestrial plant ecology or closely related field. + Demonstrated experience in ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, and ESRI spatial analytical tools + Project management and administrative experience. + Experience with Northeastern flora. + Knowledge of old-growth forest characteristics in the Northeast. + Experience training individuals and groups. + Experience in natural resource management or conservation.T + Experience with ecological classification systems + Hands-on experience with aerial imagery interpretation and natural community mapping. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: The Ecologist will travel primarily within Adirondack and Catskill Mountains but may also be expected to conduct fieldwork throughout New York State as needed. The position will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances in isolated settings. Occasional back country camping may be required. Additional Information: SUNY-ESF and the Broader Community ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and a Carnegie R2 "High Research Activity" Institution that consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Princeton Review, and other national college guidebooks. With a total enrollment of about 2,200 undergraduates and 400 graduate students, combined with the immediate proximity of Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University, ESF provides an intimate, small-college atmosphere within a vibrant, large-university setting. ESF's extended campuses include more than 25,000 acres of forest properties, both close to Syracuse and across the Adirondack Park, which provide numerous opportunities for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach. Located on the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes region, Syracuse is a small city in a rural region offering a diversity of natural and cultural amenities, a low cost of living, and a high quality of life - ranking among the top 10 percent of "Best Places to Live" in "The Places Rated Almanac." Syracuse is situated with easy access to New York City, the Adirondack Park, Lake Ontario, and many other points of interest in the eastern United States and Canada. In accordance with the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: https://www.esf.edu/safety/annual-security-reports.php https://www.esf.edu/safety/annual-security-reports.php SUNY ESF is a Smoke and Tobacco Free campus and is dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for the entire campus. For more information you can visit our Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy at https://www.esf.edu/employees/policies/policy-smoking.php As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law. The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.