Vegetation Ecologist

Vegetation Ecologist Job Classification Ecologist II (Grade S-25) Natural Resources Branch Fairfax County Park Authority The Fairfax County Park Authority, located in Northern Virginia outside Washington D.C., seeks an experienced Vegetation Ecologist to conduct Natural Vegetation Community Classification (NVCC) and other duties on Fairfax County parkland. The position is part-time, not to exceed 1,560 hours per calendar year (approximately 30 hours/week). This position is eligible for County-sponsored medical plans (employee is responsible for bi-weekly premiums), but paid leave and retirement benefits are not included. Agency vehicles will be available for use; however, site visits may occasionally require the use of a personal vehicle when the agency fleet is unavailable. The vegetation ecologist will work within the Natural Resources Branch to conduct Natural Vegetation Community Classification (NVCC) in parks countywide using a standardized methodology and support other stewardship and resources management activities within the Natural Resources Branch as well as requests from other divisions within Fairfax County Park Authority. The NVCC survey product is a planning-level geographic dataset of natural vegetation communities (vegetation map). This data provides the Fairfax County Park Authority and partner agencies much needed information on its natural resources that will be used to preserve, protect, manage, and restore parks, and will inform natural resources and development planning decisions made by the agency. The vegetation ecologist will spend most of the growing season (April-October) in the field collecting vegetation data, with occasional office days for data management as necessary or during inclement weather. Data management work will be conducted during the dormant season or on a periodic basis following longer periods of field data collection. Field data collection will utilize iPads and be designed to integrate with ArcGIS online. Editing proficiency using ArcGIS is required as is the ability to identify Virginia’s plant species efficiently and preserve plant samples for identification in a lab settling. This position is expected to work independently in the field with minimal direction and oversight following an initial training period. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree is required in ecology, biology, botany, forestry, geography, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field. Ability to proficiently identify the plant species of the Mid-Atlantic Region Prior experience with vegetation ecology, natural community classification, forest stand delineation, and/or vegetation mapping (ideally, inventory-based). Familiarity with the Natural Communities of Virginia Classification of Ecological Community Groups (Third Approximation, Version 3.3) and/or the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC). Experience collecting, organizing, and managing large quantities of data. Database management experience is a plus. Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Work, PowerPoint, and Excel), ArcGIS, and mobile GPS is required. Ability to communicate technical and semi-technical issues effectively, both orally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences is required. Ability to perform field work alone under potentially adverse conditions, including exposure to heat, humidity, steep and wet terrain, and insects is required. Able to work well with others; this is a team project involving multiple ecologists, an agency data manager, and the project supervisor. A valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle is required. Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree preferred in ecology, biology, botany, geography, natural resources, environmental science, or related field. Proficiency in GIS database management. At least two years of experience inventorying natural communities using the Natural Vegetation Community Classification system. To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and answers to the following questions via email to David Lawlor at dave.lawlor@fairfaxcounty.gov. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. Start date TBD (August/Sept. 2022). Fairfax County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable Accommodation upon request Questions: Please indicate all major(s) minor(s) for your completed degree(s)? Biology Ecology Environmental Science Wildlife Biology Other related field How many years of experience do you have conducting vegetation surveys? Less than one year One to two years Three to five years Five years or more How many years of experience do you have with, natural community classification, forest stand delineation, and/or vegetation mapping? Less than one year One to two years Three to five years Five years or more How many years of survey experience do you have using National Vegetation Community Classification system? None Less than one year One to less than two years Two to less than three years Three to less than four years Four to less than five years Five to less than six Six years or more How many years of experience do you have using mobile GPS devices for field data collection? None Less than one year One to less than two years Two to less than three years Three to less than four years Four to less than five years Five to less than six Six years or more How many years of experience do you have managing and editing GIS geographic databases for natural resources data? None Less than one year One to less than two years Two to less than three years Three to less than four years Four to less than five years Five to less than six Six years or more