Research Associate

Position Details
Position Information

Announcement Number	STAFF - VA - 24344
For questions regarding this position, please contact:	Jeff Mosley [email protected] 406-994-5601
Classification Title	Research Professional
Working Title	Research Associate
Brief Position Overview	This research associate position with Montana State University will work closely with the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership (SMSP) to implement innovative rangeland management practices and evaluate their ecological and socioeconomic outcomes. SMSP is a network of partners—including federal and state resource managers, nonprofits, local businesses, and landowners—dedicated to the responsible stewardship of southwestern Montana’s sagebrush ecosystems. SMSP works throughout the High Divide Region of southwestern Montana in the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Red Rock, and Ruby River Watersheds spanning more than 4.8 million acres. This is a full-time position for up to 3 years. Renewal of position will be evaluated annually. The starting salary is $54,000 per year plus benefits, and all work-related travel costs are covered. The office location is either Bozeman or Dillon, Montana.
Position Number	4C2201
Department	Animal & Range Sciences
Division	College of Agriculture/MAES
Appointment Type	Professional
Contract Term	Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA	Non-Exempt
Union Affiliation	Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE	1.0
Benefits Eligible	Eligible
Salary	$54,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type	LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type	Open

Position Details

General Statement	Abundant and diverse wildlife populations are a defining feature of southwestern Montana’s landscape, and almost all of the region’s wildlife depends upon working rangeland landscapes for its survival. The region is home to more livestock than people, and almost all of these livestock are raised in rangeland-based ranching systems. Range livestock agriculture is the dominant land use in the region and critically important to the region’s economy and culture. Thus, southwestern Montana’s economy, culture, and its wildlife all depend upon ranching that is ecologically sustainable, socially responsible, and economically viable. Southwestern Montana’s wildlife has flourished in large part due to the collaborative conservation ethic embodied by the region’s citizens. This ethic strives to integrate wildlife, ranching, recreation and other uses while respecting the health of the land and the people who rely on the land. Montana State University has a long and distinguished history of working with ranchers, conservation organizations, state and federal resource management agencies, and others to help people find common ground and devise collaborative solutions to rangeland management challenges. Southwestern Montana’s sagebrush country is a vast, vibrant place, where sagebrush habitat captures precious snowpack delivered to the headwater tributaries of the Missouri River and provides habitat and migratory corridors for a diverse array of wildlife species, including grizzly bear, pronghorn, elk, sage-grouse, and Arctic grayling. Across the West, 50% of historic sagebrush habitat has been lost and another 1.3 million acres continues to be lost every year. However, southwestern Montana encompasses some of the most intact, diverse, and productive sagebrush steppe remaining in the American West and therefore the world. Current SMSP rangeland restoration projects needing more robust measurement of ecological and socioeconomic outcomes include efforts to suppress conifer expansion, suppress invasive annual grasses, and using low-tech tools for riparian and stream restoration. New restoration efforts are underway to apply improved livestock grazing management strategies to more than 250,000 acres. This research associate position will develop and implement monitoring plans to match each of these restoration strategies for application across private and public lands.
Duties and Responsibilities	Develop and implement monitoring plans at multiple spatial scales to evaluate ecological and socioeconomic outcomes resulting from rangeland restoration practices. Work collaboratively with varied partners, including ranchers; conservation organizations; local, state and federal resource management agencies; and others. Build strong interpersonal relationships and promote coordination, collaboration, and communication among team members, partner organizations, and other stakeholders. Exhibit flexibility, organization, innovation, and a positive attitude amidst logistical and other challenges. Project management, including tracking work progress and maintaining detailed and organized record keeping. Data acquisition, organization, and management which will require proficiency with statistical software and languages such as R (preferred) to manage data, conduct analyses, produce standardized maps and reporting documents. Coordinate, prepare, and disseminate results in clear, concise, and informative written documents. Attend conferences/meetings/events and present results in public settings and other outreach events.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills	Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic preparation in rangeland ecology and management or closely related field. Demonstrated knowledge of western U.S. rangeland monitoring methods and their application. Ability to identify rangeland flora of southwestern Montana in field settings. Experience working outdoors, under varied and inclement weather conditions, in remote areas with rugged terrain. Effective computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and Geographic Information Systems. Demonstrated record of project organization and experience with data acquisition and management. Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of hire and mut be able to comply and adhere to applicable state and university rules, laws, standards, and policies. Ability to travel frequently throughout Montana to conduct field work and attend meetings and conferences, often during inclement weather. Experience operating pickups and 4-wheelers and diagnosing mechanical issues.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills	Master of Science degree in range science or closely related field. Demonstrated knowledge of beef cattle production systems on private and public rangelands of the western U.S. Demonstrated experience using Program R to organize and manage large, complex datasets and conduct data analysis. Demonstrated experience using camera trapping to monitor wildlife. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with western U.S. beef cattle ranchers. Demonstrated ability to interact collegially and collaboratively in a team environment, within and across scientific disciplines. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in remote landscapes inhabited by grizzly bears. Experience and desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment with ranchers, state and federal natural resource managers, university research and Extension personnel, and NGO partners. Familiarity with sagebrush steppe biomes of the northern USA. Familiarity with working landscapes for conservation. Experience conducting outreach, public speaking, and/or science communications.
The Successful Candidate Will	Have excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Be committed to achieving project goals and objectives. Be honest, polite, and respectful of others. Be highly self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision. Take initiative in identifying and solving problems and resolving conflicts.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information	This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands	To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?	No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date	Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:	Screening of applications will begin on May 24, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Diversity Statement	Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html