Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Employment Announcement

Classification: LTE - NAT RES RESEARCH SCIENTIST – SENIOR

Working Title: Research Scientist and Spatial Analyst

Contact: Dr. Amy Shipley

Location: 2801 Progress Road, Madison, WI 53716

Telephone Number: (608) 530-2000

Website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/research/wildliferesearch.html 

Email:  amy.shipley@wisconsin.gov

Hourly Rate: $25.32

Anticipated Start Date: 7/2/2023

Deadline to Apply: June 7th, 2023 at 11:59pm Central Time

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Office of Applied Science is hiring a dual LTE (Limited Term Employee) - Research Scientist and Spatial Analyst to work in the Waterfowl and Wetland Research Program at our Science Operations Center in Madison, Wisconsin. This dual LTE appointment is comprised of two 20-hour positions for an expected work schedule of 40 hours per week. The intention is to hire one candidate on both positions. Applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in wildlife or waterfowl research are encouraged to apply. The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Current projects within the Waterfowl and Wetland Research Program include:

• Improving spatial decision support tools (DSTs) to guide waterfowl habitat conservation
• Validating waterfowl distribution-based DSTs by incorporating information on habitat selection, productivity, and survival
• Evaluating impacts of waterfowl herbivory on wild rice restoration and conservation; assessing mitigation strategies
• Using stable isotope methods to determine origins of waterfowl harvested in Wisconsin

Job Description:  Spatial Analyst

The successful applicant will work directly with the Waterfowl Research Scientist to manage and edit various state-wide spatial layers that are used to inform waterfowl habitat conservation in Wisconsin. This position will also contribute to communication of research products, including preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.

Description of goals/duties:

55% Manage Spatial and Remote Sensing Layers

• Manage and edit statewide spatial layers that inform waterfowl and wetland conservation
• Manipulate spatial layers and extract data for landscape analyses
• Produce maps for research planning and communication
• Manage satellite telemetry data from marked waterfowl

40%  Research Communication

• Lead in development of annual reports for technical and lay audiences
• Develop and deliver presentations for various audiences
• Contribute to writing and development of peer-reviewed manuscripts and reports

5% - Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications

• Strong skills in spatial data manipulation and management using ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, or preferably Program R
• Proficiency with writing scientific reports and giving research presentations to a variety of lay and technical audiences
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with a variety of partner and stakeholder groups and the public
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to respectfully give and receive constructive criticism
• Commitment to DEI values

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in wildlife ecology or a related field
• Detail oriented and commitment to data quality, transparency, and reproducibility
• Proficiency with data visualization using Shiny apps and/or RMarkdown and developing R packages
• First author or co-author on peer-reviewed publication(s)
• Experience managing eBird data and animal tracking data in MoveBank

Job Description:  Research Scientist - Senior

The successful applicant will work directly with the Waterfowl Research Scientist to organize data from multiple projects and collaboratively and independently conduct statistical analyses for diverse waterfowl and habitat data. Additional duties include managing data collection for waterfowl and wetland research projects.

Description of goals/duties:

50% Data Summary and Analysis

• Analyze waterfowl and habitat data using a range of models, i.e. spatial capture-recapture, 
  survival analyses, occupancy models, habitat selection, abundance models, integrated population models, generalized linear mixed models
• Summarize data and develop figures and tables for reports and publications

45% Coordinate and Manage Data Collection

• Contribute to field season planning and preparation
• Coordinate seasonal field data collection and field technicians
• Collect data in the field
• Create/manage databases

5% Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications

• Knowledge of wildlife ecology and management, strong data management skills, and demonstrated quantitative analytical experience
• Proficiency with data management and analysis using Program R
• Experience with avian ecology field techniques
• Positive leadership skills and ability to cooperate with others to accomplish a shared goal
• Commitment to DEI values
• Willingness to conduct field work in unfavorable conditions

Preferred qualifications

• M.S. degree in wildlife ecology or a related field
• Experience with both frequentist and Bayesian analytical approaches
• Experience with database management and development of metadata
• Experience with project management and publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Knowledge of waterfowl and wetland ecology and management and field techniques

Questions about the position should be directed to Amy Shipley (amy.shipley@wisconsin.gov)