Req #:	178107
Department:	SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOREST SCIENCES
Job Location:	Seattle Campus
Posting Date:	03/23/2020
Closing Info:	Closes On   03/30/2020
Salary:	Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
Shift:	First Shift

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years. 

The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences has an outstanding opportunity for a Forest Research Scientist. This position will assist in forest sector research, development of forestry technology, communication of research activities and management of complex multi-stakeholder projects, the Natural Resource Spatial Informatics Group (NRSIG) seeks to employ an individual familiar with Geographic Information Systems, databases, forest management, computer technology, project management and reporting.

We are a research group within the Precision Forestry Cooperative (PFC) at the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) in the College of the Environment that provides technologies and expertise for analyzing forestry and agricultural issues, specializing in large spatial scales and big data. Our goal is to enable landscape, state, and regional scale analyses while simultaneously using the highest resolution data sets available. Our focus is on applied problems that integrate environmental, social, and economic objectives to consider the sustainability, acceptability, and productivity of management opportunities.

The Forestry Research Scientist will work independently with a small group of dedicated research scientists to support myriad projects researching complex forestry issues and developing advanced forestry technology. This will include: resource project design, design of data collection methodology and management of data collection activities, integration of hundreds of data sources into complex relational databases in support of regional analyses, development and modification of forestry software, construction of complex natural resource models, integration of multi-disciplinary research outputs, development of electronic mapping and spatial analysis capabilities, complex analysis of resource lands, and analysis of remotely sensed data to assess forest conditions and monitor them over time. As with many small research groups, the successful applicant will possess the technical skill to work independently and adaptively as new and different projects come along.

The Research Scientist is expected to understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them; nurture and maintain relationships with internal and external partners to identify and develop new funding sources; present to project partners and identify project opportunities and persuade sponsors to fund them. Currently, NRSIG researchers work collaboratively with graduate students, SEFS faculty, other UW units, forestry professionals, state and federal agency personnel, international partners, and non-industrial forestland owners.

The Research Scientist will lead small projects and/or major project tasks which may last years, and effectively manage them by providing guidance and direction to project staff; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals/objectives; write and present reports and results, and interface with investigator peers. The Forestry Research Scientist will be responsible for making difficult decisions, recommendations and judgements about acquired data and the appropriateness of using that data to examine research questions.

Position Responsibilities:

•Provide technical assistance in database design and management, modeling, software development and analysis to the research team, faculty, staff and constituents associated with PFC, NRSIG and external partners.
•Integrate disparate datasets into a standardized database by developing methods and tools and documenting processes.
•Perform complex natural resource analyses to quantify the ecological, economic and social components of forest lands and document and present methods and results to diverse groups.
•Provide technical support to enhance usefulness of ArcGIS, Safe’s FME and associated software products through custom tool development.
•Develop and support web-based information resources including dynamic web applications and interactive map services.
•Develop forest inventory datasets using models based on remotely sensed data.
•Assist in the creation of presentation and publication quality visualizations (maps, drawings, images, animations, and other cartographic products).
•Assist in assessments of forest management alternatives through the use of growth and yield models in a spatial context.
•Write and present technical reports.
•Attend and present at workshops, informational sessions, and conferences.
•Direct the work of graduate students.
•Participate in training and outreach to forestry professionals.

REQUIREMENTS:

•Bachelor’s degree in environmental or resource sciences or equivalent experience and at least 2 years of related experience.
•Minimum of two years working in environmental resources sciences.
•Project management and organizational skills.
•Knowledge of forest management issues, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
•Strong communication skills (both written and oral).
•High level of skill in GIS software applications (ArcGIS, FME, ERDAS, IDL, etc.).
•High level of skill working with enterprise relational databases (SQL Server, PostgreSQL).
•High level of understanding of remote sensing hardware, software and applications.
•Demonstrated proficiency with various programming languages (Python, C++, R, JavaScript, Visual Basic, PERL, PHP, ASP).
•High level of skill at Windows applications (e.g., Microsoft Office).
•Strong editing and graphic design skills, especially web-based.
•Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders and in a collaborative environment.
•Familiarity with use and construction of temporal, spatial, economic, and environmental functionality models.
•Ability to process LIDAR datasets to develop strata-based field sampling designs
•Ability to develop field data collection protocols and manage field crews.
•Must be highly self-motivated and have the ability to work for long periods of time with little or no supervision.
•Must work well in a team environment
•Knowledge and field experience in forestry fundamentals (e.g. road engineering, forest inventory, harvest planning, silviculture, forest product valuation, and forest policy and regulation).
•Project management experience.
•Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills; demonstrated ability to work and communicate courteously with faculty, staff, and individuals from diverse cultural/ethnic/academic backgrounds.
•Proven analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
•Exceptional organizational skills.
•Strong computer skills, including email, and high proficiency in MS Office software.
•Experience with large sets of data, including experience classifying information in complex databases.
•Experience collecting and post-processing survey-grade GPS data.
•Demonstrated ability to work well individually and as part of a team.
•Superior attention to detail and accuracy.
•Proven ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities; ability to maintain flexibility when dealing with shifting priorities.
•Professional attitude.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.