Title: Natural Area Preserve Biologist
State Role Title: Scientist II
Hiring Range: $65,000 - $70,000
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Dept Conservation & Recreation
Location:Office
Agency Website:www.dcr.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage (DCR-DNH), seeks a qualified individual to join our Inventory team, a collaborative group of botanists, zoologists, karst scientists, and vegetation ecologists with the programmatic mission of cataloging the plants, animals, unique geological features, and native ecosystems of Virginia, assessing their status and condition, and prioritizing their conservation needs. Field inventories focus on global and state rare species, karst features and caves, and natural communities. This statewide inventory is the foundation of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program, providing the basis for analyses and data products used to set land and biodiversity conservation priorities in Virginia. The Natural Area Preserve Biologist position is part of an integrated team of about 50 full and 20 part-time scientists and natural resource experts.
As part of the Inventory Section, the Natural Area Preserve (NAP) Biologist of DCR-DNH will work closely with the Stewardship Section staff on two primary tasks:
1) The NAP Biologist will conduct field inventories for elements of biodiversity tracked by DCR-DNH (see https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/infoservices#lists) on our state Natural Area Preserve system (https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/), accurately mapping their extent, assessing the condition of and threats to the population, and completing field data for inclusion into the Biotics database.
2) The NAP Biologist will also work with Stewardship staff to identify information needs related to natural heritage resources on NAPs. This may include review of management plans, developing and implementing monitoring projects, reviewing literature and gathering expert input on habitat management questions, etc. This task will require sound project management, communication, and organizational skills.
These tasks will be accomplished through:
• Working closely with Stewardship staff to develop, plan, coordinate, and implement field inventories on NAPs to locate occurrences of rare species, exemplary natural communities, and significant cave/karst features (collectively called 'elements') and identify potential threats to those elements.
• Analyzing and helping to maintain data on the locations, habitats, status, and ecology of elements and their habitats on DCR-DNH NAP system including data submissions to the Biotics database.
• Working closely with Stewardship staff by advising on, researching, and reviewing NAP management plans to best benefit the elements and their habitats by drawing on personal experience and expert advice, data, and other information from conservation science and the conservation community.
• Providing DCR and DNH with taxa expertise and technical consultation to internal and external partners for the conservation and management of NHR.
• Fostering partnerships and collaborations to improve the conservation of VA's NHRs on the NAP system and increase the understanding of DNH's mission by delivering oral presentations, spatial data, and written reports as appropriate and needed.
The Natural Area Preserve (NAP) Biologist position is based out of Richmond, Virginia, but the position has statewide responsibilities, including field work across the state. The field season is particularly heavy from mid-March through October, but certain taxa are best surveyed during other parts of the year. Frequent overnight travel and non-traditional hours will be required Monday-Friday, and sometimes, though rarely, weekend work. The non-field season portion of the year is devoted to synthesizing field data for entry into DCR-DNH's Biotics database, specimen curation and identification, and administrative processes. This position is supervised by the Chief Biologist.
Minimum Qualifications
The NAP Biologist must be capable of conducting all aspects of field work in a variety of habitats, terrain, and weather conditions, and must be equally adept at office tasks such as data entry, report writing, and specimen curation and identifications. The NAP Biologist should possess a broad knowledge of the biodiversity of Virginia/Mid-Atlantic and have more detailed knowledge of at least one group of conservation concern (e.g. vascular plants, insects, amphibians, vegetation communities etc. See https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/infoservices#lists). This position will be expected collaborate with coworkers and partners to lead and/or manage investigations to improve our knowledge of our NAPs and the impacts of the management plans we implement. Minimum qualifications to accomplish this include:
• Thorough understanding of conservation biology and habitat management concepts as applied to protection of rare, threatened, and endangered plants, animals, vegetation communities, and cave/karst species and habitats.
• Strong communication and project management skills including managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate with co-workers, private citizens, and conservation partners to accomplish long-term tasks.
• Professional experience with scientific study design, implementation, and analysis, especially field studies related to rare species/community conservation using various habitat management tools/methods.
• Experience in plant and/or animal taxonomy and ecology, field investigations, and specimen curation.
• Proven experience and familiarity with the flora, fauna, habitats and natural history of Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. Proven ability to identify plant and animal species encountered in the field.
• Skilled at map and aerial photography interpretation, Geographical Information System (GIS, especially ESRI products) and Global Positioning System (GPS) applications, and interpretations of soils and geologic maps.
• Proficiency with standard office software for word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and presentation graphics, preferably Microsoft Office software and Windows based systems.
• Advanced abilities in graphic and oral communications and technical writing.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently and conduct physically demanding work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to independently plan and conduct field work to accomplish data collection goals.
Additional Considerations
• Demonstrated experience applying NatureServe/Natural Heritage methodology; Experience with biodiversity inventory, data management, and conservation planning activities in the context of NatureServe/Natural Heritage Network.
• Experience conducting environmental impact reviews and making conservation recommendations, including recommendations for land acquisitions, management designations, land management activities, and sustainable development.
• Supervisory experience.
• Obtain and maintain certification in CPR and basic first aid.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
A letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile, required and desired position qualifications, and special position requirements.
An example of your technical writing (a project report or publication that you authored).
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency.
DCR is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and the highest ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that our greatest strength lies in the individual differences, experiences, and skillsets that our employees bring to the table. Because of this, we strongly encourage applications from all walks of life, and we welcome all contributions in terms of age, beliefs, color, culture, disability, education, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, language, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran's status.
Selected candidate(s) will need to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.
Submission of an online application is required for this position. DCR does not accept applications, resumes, cover letters, etc. for this vacancy in any other format. When applying for jobs, please ensure your online application or resume is complete with duties and skills associated with your work experience.
Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/T
Contact Information
Name: HR
Phone: N/A
Email: N/A
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
