Sagebrush Tech Transfer Specialist

Description

The sagebrush biome of the American West supports one of the most intact native ecosystems globally, yet large-scale threats imperil sagebrush ecological integrity and unique wildlife. Rapid adoption of new science and effective restoration strategies by land managers is essential curtailing these fast-moving threats. As the science hub for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)-led Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW; https://www.wlfw.org/ ) effort in the western U.S., the University of Montana ’s Rangeland and Wildlife Conservation Group works closely with the NRCS to put co-produced science into practice. To expand the reach and impact of this work, we are hiring a Sagebrush Technology Transfer Specialist to provide technology transfer, training, and outreach to NRCS staff and partners to reduce primary threats to sagebrush ecosystems identified in the WLFW Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome .

We seek candidates with a balance of technical proficiency, communication skills and a passion for translating science into conservation action. Working closely with NRCS’ National Sagebrush Ecosystem Specialist and the Western WLFW core team, this position will help accelerate adoption of the ‘Defend the Core’ strategy for threat reduction in core sagebrush areas across the biome. This position is a Letter of Appointment that is renewed annually contingent on performance. Funding for this position has been secured from NRCS through September 2028.

Position Details

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position ranges from $100,000 - $120,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.
• Position is remote with no office space provided. Must be physically located within one of the following states: Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota.
• Travel may be required 5-10 days per month as the employee provides technical assistance and training to partners across the sagebrush biome (travel resources will be provided)
• Duties include technology transfer, training, and outreach
• Desired start date is December 9, 2024
• Position is funded through September 2028 with potential to be expanded

Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. David Naugle, Professor and NRCS Science Advisor ( david.naugle@umontana.edu ) or Jeremy Maestas, NRCS National Sagebrush Ecosystem Specialist ( jeremy.maestas@usda.gov ).

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities for this position include, but aren’t limited to:

• Helping WLFW put science into practice by assisting with technology transfer and training in the sagebrush biome.
• Coordinating and delivering technical training and workshops to reduce threats identified in WLFW Frameworks for Conservation Action.
• Developing technical materials, such as field guides and manuals, to support technical transfer efforts.
• Delivering technical information and assistance to NRCS staff and partners to facilitate reduction of threats, including but not limited to, annual grass invasion, conifer encroachment, riparian and wet meadow degradation.
• Working collaboratively with interagency partners at national, state, and local levels to design and delivery technology transfer.
• Participating as a member of the Western WLFW Team to improve outcomes of conservation delivery in the sagebrush biome.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a field related to wildlife conservation, range conservation or closely related field in combination with at least five (5) years prior experience in conservation and land management or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Technical Expertise:
  1. Demonstrated knowledge of voluntary, incentive-based conservation, Farm Bill conservation programs, and Working Lands for Wildlife
  2. Experience planning and conducting technical transfer for private land conservation in sagebrush ecosystems
  3. Knowledge of sagebrush rangeland ecology and management, particularly related to strategies and practices addressing threats of annual grass invasion, conifer encroachment, riparian and meadow degradation
  4. Ability to use geospatial data to inform strategic conservation planning to reduce threats at landscape and site scales
• Communication and Collaboration:
  1. Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on developing and presenting technical information effectively to broad audiences
  2. Ability to simplify complex scientific data for diverse audiences
  3. Proven ability to work with diverse groups beyond academia (e.g., landowners, public and private land management professionals, conservation non-profits)
  4. Ability to present technical information in various settings, including video conferencing, classroom, and outdoors

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing rapport and working relationships with conservation partner organizations in the sagebrush biome
• Previous knowledge or experience with NRCS Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome
• Experience working with public land management agency partners (e.g., Bureau of Land Management) to deliver landscape-scale conservation across ownership boundaries

Additional Information

Application review will begin on November 21, and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials via 'New Resume/CV' button below.

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume – listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references – names and contact information

The University of Montana is flagship, research-intensive R1 institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

The Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG) is a research laboratory at The University of Montana in Missoula pioneering new approaches for landscape ecological and hydrological analyses. The primary focus of NTSG is to understand how terrestrial vegetation responds to climate variability and influences energy, water, and carbon cycles. NTSG conducts research over a broad range of spatial scales from individual landscape units to basin, continental and global domains. NTSG strongly emphasizes applying ecological theory and environmental analysis using computational process modeling, satellite remote sensing, and GIS. NTSG is a NASA Earth Science Information Partner (ESIP) and is involved with the NASA Earth Observing System as a repository for various global land data products.