Natural Resources Job Board

General Description 
The Commission is seeking a skilled quantitative ecologist familiar with modeling and statistical analysis of wildlife and fish populations. The ideal candidate will be experienced with both Bayesian and frequentist statistical modeling, be comfortable writing code for common statistical programs (i.e., R) and be willing to work on both terrestrial and aquatic (freshwater and marine) data sets. This position will work directly with both the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) Division of Marine Fisheries and the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The Quantitative Ecologist will be responsible for leading analytical tasks directed to inform wildlife and fisheries management and conservation for the State of Rhode Island. 

Specific duties include
 1) Use quantitative tools and analyses to assess the performance of various management scenarios for informing fisheries and wildlife management bodies. 
 2) Conduct ecosystem analyses for Rhode Island state waters to inform ecosystem-based fisheries management plans for marine and anadromous species.
 3) Develop analytical tools and conduct data analyses to support terrestrial wildlife management in Rhode Island. 
 4) Develop data-rich and/or data poor stock assessment models for marine resources managed by the State of Rhode Island or through interstate management. 
 5) Design wildlife population and or density estimation models.
 6) Produce reports and peer-reviewed publications which summarize project data and findings.
 7) Present findings at relevant fisheries science, natural resource management, and wildlife conservation forums.
 8) Perform related duties as assigned.

Length of Appointment 
The position is currently a one-year appointment, with the option to amend or extend pursuant to performance, available funding, and at the discretion of RI DEM.

Qualifications 
Applicants must have at least a Master’s degree in a science related field (marine biology, biological science, natural resource science, oceanography, wildlife ecology, or a related field) and 2 years experience with quantitative science and statistical theory. Applicants must have proven analytical skills, as well as excellent writing and oral communication skills. They must have the ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently, general knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Microsoft Suite, R, Python, TMB, ArcGIS), and a valid driver’s license. 

Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in a science related field and 2 years related experience in professional marine/wildlife science, a Doctorate degree in a relevant field, or a similar combination of education and experience. Familiarity with assessment modeling platforms (Age Structured Assessment Program, Woods Hole Assessment Model, Stock Synthesis, Sex-age Kill models) is preferred. Prior experience participating in and conducting stock assessments is desired. Knowledge of local or regional marine, freshwater, and wildlife species and management of those species strongly preferred. Ability to work independently and/or with minimal supervision, manage and prioritize multiple project components, and complete multiple tasks independently with respect to timeline(s) is critical. Experience communicating/working with seafood dealers and fishing industry members, wildlife hunters and trappers is preferred.

Work Environment 
The Quantitative Ecologist will divide their time between the offices of RI DEM’s Division of Marine Fisheries located in Jamestown, Rhode Island, and the RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife in West Kingston, Rhode Island. Flexibility to work out of other RIDEM Facilities (e.g., Providence, Jerusalem) may be permitted based on performance and circumstances. Part-time telework is available up to two days per week. 

This position is not eligible for overtime. Compensatory time and flexible working hours (with supervisory approval) are available under the Commission’s policies; however, the Quantitative Ecologist is a salaried employee, and is expected to work seven (7) hours/day, five (5) days/week.

Supervision
The Quantitative Ecologist reports directly to RI DEM’s Divisions of Marine Fisheries and Fish and Wildlife Supervising Biologists. The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative in addressing the needs of data analysis and other areas of responsibility, with specific guidance from the RI DEM’s fisheries and wildlife biologists.

Application Process 
Please email a resume and cover letter referencing the vacancy number (24-013) to Human Resources, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 1050 N. Highland Street; Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201 (asmfcjobs@asmfc.org) by the closing date of February 7, 2025. The vacancy number (24-013) must be identified in the subject line.

Organization Profile: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) is comprised of the 15 Atlantic coast states under the terms of an interstate compact approved in 1942. The purpose of the Commission, as set forth by Article I of its Compact, is: To promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell, and diadromous, of the Atlantic seaboard by the promotion and protection of such fisheries. As an instrumentality of the 15 Atlantic coastal states, the Commission is employed to coordinate the conservation and management of nearshore migratory fishery resources. 

The Commission is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, sexual preference, disability, or any other legally protected status. ASMFC is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.

 If you have a disability and need assistance applying for this position, you may call the ASMFC Human Resources office at (703) 842-0740 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday. Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.