Assistant Research Scientist, Survey Monitoring
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) investigates and documents the biological resources of Illinois and other areas, and acquires and provides natural history information that can be used to promote the common understanding, conservation, and management of these resources. INHS is part of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which is centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.
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The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.
The Illinois Natural History Survey is seeking to hire 2 Assistant Research scientists to administer research activities of the Survey by assisting the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) staff to coordinate and monitor the natural resources survey request program. This position functions within the Illinois Department of Transportation statewide program where a large number of natural resources survey requests are received from district offices, local governments, and other divisions and offices of the department. The incumbent will assist in fulfilling the large number of survey requests in a timely manner, given time constraints and the complexity of the natural resources survey request process. The survey request process requires integration of the many requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related federal (Endangered and Threatened Species Act, Clean Water Act, Wild, and Scenic Rivers Act, etc.)and state (Illinois Interagency Wetland Policy Act, Executive Order on Endangered Species and Natural Areas, Nature Preserve Act, etc.) environmental laws, interagency agreements, and the various regulations, policies, and procedures promulgated by those agencies with which we coordinate (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, etc.) or which have regulatory jurisdiction over certain aspects of project implementation (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. EPA, Illinois EPA, etc.) as well as those promulgated by the Federal Highway Administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation. This position will be located in Champaign, Illinois. Remote or hybrid work options may be available.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with coordinating and monitoring the natural resources survey request program.
- Conduct preliminary assessment of project involvement with natural resources.
- Apply and stay abreast of current requirements of applicable federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Analyze and transmit Natural Resource Survey results to IDOT district and other IDOT department offices, local government highway agencies, and natural resources agencies.
- Combine extensive technical knowledge to analyze project impacts and interact on an equal footing with trained professionals from other agencies and establish professional credibility with representatives from other agencies.
- Prepare specialized environmental reports on projects of limited scope.
- Communicate frequently, both verbally and in writing, with IDOT Bureau staff, district environmental coordinators, district project coordinators as well as other central office personnel. External contacts include local government highway officials, personnel in numerous natural resource and regulatory agencies at the state and federal levels, and the public.
- Transmit responses from natural resources agencies to department and local government offices and maintain records of survey-related activities.
- Initiate coordination with appropriate natural resource agencies.
- Assist in monitoring the natural resources request process.
- Maintain and develop current knowledge pertaining to applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures as they apply to natural resources.
- Attend professional and scientific meetings, conferences, and training sessions to further expertise about natural resources and their regulatory agencies.
- Perform other duties to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.
- Keep abreast of developments of state and federal laws, protections, regulations, policies, procedures as they pertain to natural resources.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, biology, or a related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. Bachelor’s with a minimum of five years of experience or master’s with a minimum of three years of experience in natural resource management or field biology. Experience with organizing and coordinating information from and for multiple sources and experience in natural resource federal and state policy administration and/or government agency work. Valid Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in natural resource management, biology, or related field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to research, format, compose, and present studies and reports. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines of vast importance. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a broad audience. Must be able to apply applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures on a project-by-project basis. Ability to summarize information and prepare brief reports. Working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and how they apply to the potential adverse effects of proposed transportation improvements on protected resources. Must have the ability to stay abreast of current requirements. Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly employed software and databases including mapping software such as GIS and ESRI. Experience reading and interpreting topographic maps, soils information, and other sources of geographic information.
Environmental Demands:
The work of this position takes place in an office setting. The work is sedentary and involves sitting for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions for data entry. Some mobility is required for accessing records and typical copying duties. Periodic travel to field offices is required. Occasional overnight travel may occur.
Proposed Start Date: Negotiable
Salary: The starting salary for this position is $48,000
Appointment Status: This is a regular full-time 12-month academic professional appointment, renewable annually based upon satisfactory progress in the position and continued funding. Eligible for full University benefits package as well as generous vacation and sick leave packages.
To Apply: Please complete your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu/ and upload a cover letter, CV/resume, and the contact information for three professional references by April 1, 2022. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered.
University of Illinois faculty, staff, and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.
University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.