State Lands Ecologist
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (State) | https://www.dnr.wa.gov/
Details
Application Deadline:
05/06/2025
Published:
04/16/2025
Starting Date:
after 6/2/2025
Hours per Week:
40
Salary:
$55,584 to $74,724 per year
Education Required:
none
Experience Required:
at least 3 years
Locations:
Forks, Washington
Port Angeles, Washington
Port Angeles, Washington
Description
State Lands Ecologist, Natural Resource Scientist 2 (NRSci2)
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $4,632.00 - $6,227.00 Monthly
Relocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $4,632.00 - $6,227.00 Monthly
Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 4/22/25. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.
Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Olympic Region. The State Lands Ecologist will serve as a science consultant to the Olympic Region Uplands program regarding element occurrences (rare plant and rare/high-quality ecosystem locations) which may occur in areas managed for revenue, such as timber sales. As a part of this effort, the incumbent will coordinate and implement ecological integrity assessments (EIA) and other methods across selected DNR trust lands to document potential impacts on ecosystem condition. The position will also coordinate with the Lead Botanist regarding rare plant locations, including conducting rare plant surveys and collecting and reporting data to the Lead Botanist. The position may represent the Region on technical workgroups associated with this multi-agency work. The position also serves as a science consultant to other agencies and organizations. The position is responsible for promoting the use of research and scientific information in land management and land-use decision-making.
Responsibilities:
- In close coordination with the Lead Natural Heritage Vegetation Ecologist, uses a vegetation key to assist DNR staff in identifying vegetation types occurring on state trust lands.
- Review and assess the presence of existing or potential new element occurrences (rare plant and rare/high-quality ecosystem locations).
- Describes vegetation composition and structure, disturbance history, environmental features, and landscape setting of sites and each ecosystem within the state.
- Evaluates viability, ecological condition, size, and landscape context of ecosystems/communities. Maps the extent of ecosystems in GIS, on orthophotos, or quad maps
- Coordinates with the Lead Natural Heritage Vegetation Ecologist to refine, calibrate, and apply assessments to plant communities/ecosystems to determine whether a location meets element occurrence criteria and/or to estimate how proposed activities may impact plant communities.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree with a major study in natural science AND three years of professional experience. Relevant experience includes professional work experience in botany, vegetation ecology, ecosystem analysis, forestry, range science, environmental science, or other closely related fields;
OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. - Experience identifying plant species using technical keys.
- Experience with ecological and rare plant field inventory methods, assessing ecosystem characteristics, and vegetation/ecological monitoring techniques.
- Knowledge of existing vegetation/ecosystem classification schemes.
- Ability to communicate clearly to land managers (and other decision makers) the biological and ecological information important to their decision making.
- Ability to provide leadership on projects, including those involving formal teams as well as those involving informal work groups.
- Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
Contact
DNR Recruiting
contact via the web posting is preferred (see Details section)