Pre-Notice – Assistant Unit Leader in Wildlife Human Dimensions

The Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Washington will soon invite applications for a Wildlife Human Dimensions Scientist. This scientist will hold a full-time (100% FTE) position as Assistant Unit Leader on a 12-month, multi-year basis, and will also hold the title of either Assistant Professor Without Tenure or Associate Professor Without Tenure in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. The Assistant Unit Leader will serve in a dual capacity, employed and paid by the U.S. Geological Survey, yet holding a separate faculty appointment, without tenure, at a professorial level commensurate with experience, which will be linked to the duration of service as Assistant Unit Leader.

The successful candidate will have: (1) the ability to build an applied research program focused on the human dimensions of wildlife management, including an understanding of how values or risk attitudes of stakeholders vested in wildlife management can be effectively accounted for in the management of wildlife populations and habitats; (2) experience conducting research on stakeholder values, opinions, beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors related to wildlife conservation; (3) expertise in study design, data collection, and qualitative and quantitative analysis relevant to understanding the values and risk attitudes of stakeholders, including assessment of social science data and  development of statistical inference from social science data; (4) the ability to facilitate, advise, and engage in collaborative decision-analytic and conflict-resolution processes with diverse stakeholder groups and policy makers; and (5) experience providing scientific expertise needed to assist agencies with identification and implementation of solutions to diverse types of human-wildlife conflicts, such as management of wildlife in the wildland-urban interface, restoration of forest habitat using silviculture or prescribed fire, establishment of hunting regulations, management of large predators, mitigation of the effects of wildlife on agricultural production, and management of interactions between fisheries and marine mammals. The successful candidate will contribute to the mission of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences by advising graduate and/or postdoctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds and cultures, by teaching one graduate-level course per year in their area of expertise, and by engaging in professional service. Thus, we are seeking candidates whose research, teaching, and/or service have not only prepared them to fulfil our commitment to inclusion, but have also given them the ability to fully engage audiences in higher education from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

Required Qualifications
 Must be a U.S. citizen with Ph.D. by the time of application
 Demonstrated research emphasis in wildlife human dimensions or a closely related area
 Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
 Ability to secure and administer funds to build and support a vibrant research program
 Ability to work collaboratively and productively with stakeholders and outside partners
 Ability to successfully mentor graduate students in applied science
 Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity

Preferred Qualifications
 Post-doctoral, faculty, or agency experience
 Strong publication record in refereed journals
 Successful grant writing experience
 Demonstrated experience in conducting research in an interdisciplinary context to address complex
social-ecological issues confronting wildlife and natural resource management

Program Description

The Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (WACFWRU) was established in 1967. The WACFWRU works to support conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. We undertake managementrelevant research, support decision makers through technical assistance, and train future conservation leaders. The WACFWRU is one of 40 units nationwide in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Research Units Program, and its cooperators include the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Ecology, University of Washington, Washington State University, and the Wildlife Management Institute.

The WACFWRU is supported by two academic units at the University of Washington: the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. This position will be filled in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS). SEFS is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across research, pedagogy, mentorship, and collegial activities. The SEFS diversity and inclusion statement can be read here and activities in support of this statement can be explored here. The UW is also committed to providing and promoting an inclusive and diverse community. It serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. As a recipient of the National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math, the UW offers a wide range of professional development and networking opportunities for faculty.

SEFS was established in 1907 as one of the oldest units on the University of Washington campus—and one of the original natural resource programs in the country. SEFS is dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the sustainable use of their products and services through teaching, research, and outreach. Our vision is to provide world-class, internationally recognized knowledge and leadership for environmental and natural resource issues. The programs at SEFS address the increasingly integrative and interdisciplinary challenges in environmental and natural resources management throughout the world and the need to educate professionals to meet these challenges. From urban to wilderness settings, forests to wetlands, deep soil to tree canopies, natural to social sciences, labs to field sites, our curriculum has a heavy emphasis on field-based, hands-on learning. This is
all supported by the school’s many field sites in the natural laboratory of the Pacific Northwest, including Pack Forest, the Olympic Natural Resources Center, and the UW Botanic Gardens. Our teaching and research programs are fundamentally collaborative, with campus and external partners from nonprofit, industry, and government organizations, as well as tribal communities. Our research has impacts across
Washington, the Pacific Northwest, and globally.

To Apply

This is a U.S. Geological Survey research scientist position, hired at a GS-12 level with potential for advancement. Applicants will need to apply through USAJobs (https://www.usajobs.gov/; posting date to be determined, expected July or August 2020) and meet requirements for federal service. Questions can be directed to Sarah Converse, Unit Leader and Associate Professor, at sconver@uw.edu.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.