Natural Resource Specialist 4 (Lead Scientist)
- Description
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The Department of State Lands (DSL) is currently recruiting for One (1), full-time, PERMANENT position within the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR) located in Charleston, Oregon.This position is represented by Local 2238 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union (AFSCME).
The Department of State Lands (DSL) is the administrative arm of the State Land Board. The agency’s mission is to ensure a Common School Fund legacy through sound management of our trust responsibilities and the protection of waters of the state.DSL manages real property and its mineral and natural resources to generate revenue for the Common School Fund. The agency also manages navigable waterways, including rivers, lakes, estuaries and the territorial sea, for public use. DSL administers Oregon’s removal-fill and wetlands conservation laws, and the state’s unclaimed property and estates programs. The agency is the state host for the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR). All agency revenues are deposited in the state’s Common School Fund, which provides earnings distributions to Oregon school districts twice a year.
The SSNERR was established in 1974 pursuant to an agreement between the State of Oregon and the US Department of Commerce’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management. The Reserve is a special research natural area that encompasses approximately 5,000 acres in the southern portion of the Coos estuary. The site was selected to represent estuaries and coastal watersheds found within a broad region covering approximately 1,000 miles of the Pacific Northwest coastal zone. The Reserve provides a location and facilities for SSNERR researchers, visiting scientists and members of the public to conduct research and monitoring activities designed to improve understanding of the estuaries and coastal watersheds found in this region. The Reserve also provides a wide array of educational science opportunities ranging from a visitor center equipped with interpretive exhibits, aquaria and multi-media displays, to community classes and formal pre-K-12 education programs led by both professional and volunteer naturalists, to teacher trainings and formal school curricula designed for use in the classroom and field. A full description of the goals and objectives of the Reserve are contained in a management plan prepared by SSNERR staff for the SSNERR management commission, a seven member board appointed by the Governor to carry out the mission of the Reserve as outlined by the Oregon state legislature.
- Duties & Responsibilities
- This position serves as SSNERR’s lead scientist by representing the scientific programs of the Reserve in local, regional, national and international forums. With the direction of the SSNERR management Commission and the supervision of the SSNERR manager, this position proposes, develops, leads, and coordinates scientific programs and work undertaken by Reserve personnel and by visiting investigators using the Reserve resources. This involves developing, conducting, and overseeing projects and programs designed to characterize conditions in estuaries and coastal watersheds, testing scientific hypotheses, and describing the effect of human activities and the influence of naturally caused changes occurring in these settings. The position develops plans and goals to advance the scientific programs at the Reserve and develops proposals to support scientific studies conducted by Reserve personnel and partner organizations.
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- Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills
- Minimum Qualifications
Four years of experience in managing scientific research projects and or programs in a natural resource discipline. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program 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 Geography, Biology, Hydrology, Ecology, Geochemistry or related natural resource discipline, or three additional years of related (pertinent) experience.
A Master’s degree in Geography, Biology, Hydrology, Ecology, Geochemistry or related natural resource discipline will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.
A Doctorate degree in Geography, Biology, Hydrology, Ecology, Geochemistry or related natural resource discipline substitute for up to two years of the required experience. The successful candidate will be subject to a Criminal History check.
Preference will be given to those that have:
- A Doctorate degree in a scientific field;
- A published research project or publication;
- Experience with estuaries and coastal systems; and
- Experience in Pacific Northwest estuaries.
Note:
Your application materials must clearly describe how you meet these qualifications. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported in the “Work Experience” section of your Oregon E-Recruit application.
A copy of all transcripts (if education is required to qualify) must be attached at the time of application in order to receive credit for college degrees or coursework. Transcripts must include coursework and indicate that a degree was conferred. Online transcripts are acceptable. Official or original transcripts are not required; however, they may be required to validate education.
- Additional Information
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Important Notice
To improve communication with all applicants the State of Oregon now requires an e-mail address be provided on all applications.
If you do not currently have an e-mail address and do not know where to go to get one, please refer to our Applicant Frequently Asked Questions Web page, scroll down to the ‘How to apply for a job’ section, question #14 to view several links to internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The State of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.
To insure clear communication, please un-filter emails from state.or.us.The selection process will consist of a review of the material provided and an evaluation of experience and training. Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the requirements for this position will be invited to interview.
If you require an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call the Human Resource Office at (503) 986-5223. Please be prepared to leave a message describing the alternate format needed.If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the minimum qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score. To receive veterans’ preference points you MUST attach to your electronic application the following required documentation:A copy of the DD214/215 for the five (5) point preference; OR A copy of the DD214/215; AND a public employment letter from the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the ten (10) point preference.
For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org, and select veterans’ preference.The Department of State Lands is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer, committed to a diverse workforce with equal opportunity programs.Please Consider Joining Us!
- Core benefits
Medical, vision and dental insurance
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for the employee and qualified family members
- $5,000 in employee basic life insurance
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)
- Employer paid defined benefit and defined contribution programs
**Effective November 1, 2016, SEIU represented employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95%. Upon becoming a PERS participating member, SEIU employees pay the employee 6% contribution to PERS.Paid leaves and other benefits
- Sick leave earned at the rate of 8 hours per a month with no maximum accumulation
- Vacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month with accrual rate increases at 5-year increments
- 24 hours personal leave earned each fiscal year
- Ten paid holidays a year
The state also provides access to an innovative Employee Assistance Program that offers work-life counseling, along with homeowner, legal and family resources.
Optional benefits
- Term life (employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependents
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Flexible spending accounts
- Option to enroll in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program offering a wide variety of investment options.
The following information describes typical benefits available for employees. Actual benefits received may differ by position or branch of government or be prorated for other than full time work.
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01Which of the following best describes your highest related level of education?
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Some College Coursework, No Degree Received
- Associate’s Degree
- Associate’s Degree and additional coursework
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree and additional coursework
- Master’s Degree
- Master’s Degree and additional coursework
- Doctorate Degree
- Doctorate Degree and additional coursework
- None of the Above
02If you selected “Some College Coursework, No Degree Received” or “degree and additional coursework” in question 1, how many upper division (300 level or higher) credit hours have you completed? Select the Quarter/Semester hours that best describe your completed coursework?- Did not answer
- 4 Quarter hours/3 Semester hours
- 8 Quarter hours/5 Semester hours
- 12 Quarter hours/8 Semester hours
- 16 Quarter hours/11 Semester hours
- 20 Quarter hours/13 Semester hours
- 24 Quarter hours/16 Semester hours
- 28 Quarter hours/19 Semester hours
- 32 Quarter hours/21 Semester hours
- 36 Quarter hours/24 Semester hours
- 40 Quarter hours/27 Semester hours
- 44 Quarter hours/29 Semester hours
- 45-68 Quarter hours /30-45 Semester hours
- 69-95 Quarter hours /46-63 Semester hours
- 96-143 Quarter hours /64-95 Semester hours
- 144-191 Quarter hours /96-127 Semester hours
- 192-239 Quarter hours /128-159 Semester hours
- 240 or more Quarter hours /160 or more Semester hours
03If you selected “Some College Coursework, No Degree Received” or “degree with additional coursework” in question 1, please identify the focus of your upper division (300 or higher) coursework. If you did not, enter N/A.04Which of the following best describes the focus of your degree?- Biology
- Geochemistry
- Geography
- Hydrology
- Other Related Natural Resource Science
- None of the Above
05If you selected “Other Related Education” in question 4, please identify the focus of your degree. If you did not, enter N/A.06Which of the following best describes your level of experience in working on scientific research projects or programs?- less than 6 months
- 6 to 11 months
- 12 to 17 months
- 18 to 23 months
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years
- 6 years
- 7 years
- 8 years
- 9 years
- 10 years or above
- None of the above
07Related to your answer on question 6, which of the following best describes your level of experience in technical or professional level performing activities in a natural resource program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities?- less than 6 months
- 6 to 11 months
- 12 to 17 months
- 18 to 23 months
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years
- 6 years
- 7 years
- 8 years
- 9 years
- 10 years or above
- None of the above
08Which of the following best describes your experience in leading the work of others?- Less than 6 months
- 6 to 11 months
- 1 to 2 years
- 3 to 5 years
- More than 5 years
09Please describe an experience developing and managing a scientific research project and /or program that included the coordination of multiple disciplines.10Have you published a research paper or project?- Yes, I have published research paper(s) or project(s)
- No, I do not have published research paper(s) or project(s)
11Related to your answer on question 10, please list your published scientific work.12Please describe your knowledge of and/or experience with estuaries and coastal systems.13Do you have a current and valid driver’s license?- Yes, I have a current and valid OREGON driver’s license.
- Yes, I have a current and valid driver’s license issued by ANOTHER state.
- No, I do NOT have a current and valid driver’s license.
14Transcripts: If you are using education (a degree or coursework) to qualify for this position, transcripts must be submitted for all required or related courses. Transcripts can be official or unofficial at time of application. If you are using your education to meet the minimum qualifications and do not attach your transcripts your application may be removed from consideration.Veteran’s Preference Points: If you are requesting Veteran’s Preference points, you must attach the necessary documentation to receive the credits. If you do not, points will not be provided.
Work Experience: Your application must verify your responses to the above questions in order to be considered. If your answers are not reflected in the work experience section, your application may be removed from consideration.
Have you demonstrated your work history in your answers and attached all necessary documents?
- Yes
- No
Required Question
- Agency
- State of Oregon
- Address
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NOTE: Locations vary by Agency/Department
Salem, Oregon, 97301.
- Phone
- Agency/Department Contact Information