The New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) is a program of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY- ESF). The program’s mission is to collect, analyze, and share scientific information that can be used to preserve native species and ecosystems. NYNHP works in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other state, federal, and private organizations involved in natural resource management, land protection and stewardship, and advancing the conservation of biodiversity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
Serve as a project manager by coordinating the work of several NYNHP staff and contractors working on ecology projects. This position will focus on projects being conducted on state land in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve and in State Forests throughout New York.
Conduct landscape analyses to assess ecological integrity and identify potential inventory sites using remote sensing data, other digital and hard-copy data layers, and information from the scientific literature, government agencies, and knowledgeable individuals.
Conduct field surveys to document and map natural communities using the methods and techniques developed by the Natural Heritage Network and other experts with a focus on forest communities statewide and old growth forests on state land in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains.
Participate in the ongoing development of new tools, methods, processes, and techniques that improve the collection, storage, analysis, interpretation, dissemination, and application of NYNHP information.
Assist the Chief Ecologist in the development of the state ecological community classification by transcribing and updating of high-priority natural community element occurrence records, maintaining natural community element files, and revising community descriptions.
Respond to requests for ecological information from the NYNHP database and provide interpretation, as needed.
Act as a liaison to project sponsors, present project overviews at conferences and meetings, and write progress reports as needed. NYS DEC is the primary sponsor of work in the Adirondack and Catskill landscapes.
Maintain relationships with outside partners, state/local/federal agencies, land managers, private landowners, and the academic community.
Communicate the role of the NYNHP in the conservation of New York’s biodiversity and explain the utility of inventories and landscape analyses to partners and members of the public.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
Graduate degree in ecology, conservation biology, landscape ecology, plant ecology, botany, or forestry or bachelor’s degree and minimum of 3 years of related experience.
Course work or field experience in community ecology and plant species identification.
Experience with GIS analytics and mapping; ideally including ESRI products.
Experience in using common software applications (e.g.; Word, Access, Excel, Web browsers).
Experience analyzing and interpreting scientific data and preparing reports of findings.
Knowledge of regional fauna and flora, natural communities, ecosystems, ecosystem processes, and their conservation needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD in terrestrial plant ecology or closely related field.
Demonstrated experience in ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, and ESRI spatial analytical tools
Project management and administrative experience.
Experience with Northeastern flora.
Knowledge of old-growth forest characteristics in the Northeast.
Experience training individuals and groups.
Experience in natural resource management or conservation.T
Experience with ecological classification systems
Familiarity with aerial imagery interpretation and natural community mapping; hands-on experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Ecologist will travel primarily within Adirondack and Catskill Mountains but may also be expected to conduct fieldwork throughout New York State as needed. The position will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances in isolated settings. Occasional back country camping may be required.
