Working/Functional Title

Aquatic Zoologist

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.  

POSITION SUMMARY

As part of MSU Extension (MSUE), the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI) and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI), this position will collect, analyze, and communicate information about Michigan's rare, declining, and invasive aquatic animal species, help maintain Michigan’s Natural Heritage Database, assist with the development of a statewide mussel database, and work cooperatively with other MNFI personnel, public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to inform and guide decisions that impact biodiversity conservation.

The mission of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory is to guide the conservation of Michigan’s biodiversity by providing the highest quality scientific expertise and information. MNFI’s vision is to be the authoritative source of information on biodiversity that is widely used to conserve Michigan’s unique natural heritage for current and future generations. MNFI maintains the statewide Natural Heritage Database documenting the occurrences and status of exemplary natural communities and rare species. This core function is an essential component of many MNFI projects. The database is required by partner agencies who perform legally mandated regulatory functions, allowing them to complete tasks, perform regulatory reviews, produce products, and meet deadlines. This ongoing research is used by federal, state, and local agencies and private organizations to guide land management, development, and conservation decisions. The database forms the foundation for providing information to decision makers.

In this position, you will assist with an array of projects requiring expertise in identification of aquatic fauna, survey design, habitat evaluation, and threat assessment. Target taxa include unionid mussels, gastropods, fish, and insects and other macroinvertebrates. Field surveys will occur within inland lakes and streams and nearshore parts of the Great Lakes. Applying for external funding and serving as principal investigator on MNFI projects will be a regular part of this position. The proportion of time devoted to primary tasks will vary annually according to project requirements and individual interests but will generally consist of substantial data collection during the field season (30-50% of year), data management and analysis (15-25% of year), scientific writing (25-35% of year), and outreach/education activities (5-15% of year).

Although negotiable, this position will have statewide responsibilities and will be housed at the MNFI Office in Lansing, Michigan.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from the MNFI office in Lansing. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual’s position and office location drive the ability and amount of work- location flexibility.

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct field surveys, monitoring, and research of rare, declining, and invasive aquatic animal species.
• Collect, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate information about rare and declining aquatic animals and manage data within multiple databases.
• Assist with the maintenance and expansion of Michigan’s Natural Heritage Database regarding rare mussel and fish occurrences and support other heritage programming.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally, including with natural resource managers, researchers, other partners, and stakeholders through collaborations and consultations.
• Create and promote positive public relations for MSU Extension, the Community, Food, and Environment Institute, and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
• Communicate and interact with formal and informal professional networks to evaluate the needs of the conservation community.
• Prepare grant proposals, both independently and as part of teams with internal and external collaborators, to fund new projects that meet MNFI’s mission.
• Provide technical assistance and training to communicate current and timely information, research results, and relevant updates on Michigan’s rare and declining aquatic species, invasive species, ecological restoration, and biodiversity stewardship to staff within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, other state, federal, Tribal, and local agencies, and conservation organizations.
• Disseminate information about aquatic animal species through project reports, publications, scientific presentations, and other written and oral communications.
• Assist with and/or lead project development, management, and implementation, including the preparation of proposals to obtain funding for projects that further MNFI’s mission.
• Engage in outreach activities with the public, community groups, and scientific community.
• Serve on internal and external project teams, committees, and working groups.
• Recruit, train, and direct seasonal staff.
• Participate in MSU health and safety monitoring programs.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• Understand and support the Community, Food and Environment Institute’s efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion, and Civil Rights, with a special emphasis on removing barriers from participation and reaching diverse populations, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status, socio-economic class, and other human differences in rural, suburban, and urban communities.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Aquatic zoology, fisheries and wildlife, natural resource management

Desired Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to aquatic zoology, fisheries and wildlife, natural resource management, or closely related field must be earned by date of hire.
• Knowledge of the aquatic ecosystems and species of Michigan and/or the Upper Great Lakes.
• Demonstrated record of obtaining extramural funding.
• Demonstrated commitment to the conservation of biological diversity.
• Experience implementing field-based aquatic studies, especially those involving unionid mussels, macroinvertebrates, and/or fish.
• Knowledge of and experience implementing standard methods for sampling unionid mussels, macroinvertebrates, and/or fish.
• Ability to independently conduct long days of strenuous fieldwork under adverse conditions for prolonged periods of time throughout the State of Michigan.
• Ability to navigate in remote areas, including experience using a compass, maps, and  GPS technology.
• Experience and comfort with use of watercraft and navigation within rivers, inland lakes, and nearshore zones of the Great Lakes.
• Experience using ESRI GIS software.
• Experience working with large databases and familiarity with standard data management and quality control techniques.
• Proficiency in use of technology (e.g., web research, Zoom, Qualtrics, Microsoft Office Suite, Survey123/Field Maps, email/calendaring, distance technology, etc.) for day-to-day work, record keeping, reporting, team-based communications, and overall management.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, good organizational and time- management abilities, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new skills and procedures.
• Self-motivated and curious with the demonstrated ability to work independently without daily supervision and/or coaching.
• Ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams within a participatory workplace culture.
• Ability to work in an office or virtual environment and serve in both leadership and contributory roles.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse network of constituents and community members across race, gender, socioeconomic class, disabilities, and other differences.
• Ability to travel in local and surrounding communities and long distances, including weekends and for extended periods.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of this position.

Desired Qualifications

• Ph.D. in relevant field.
• Experience developing and designing research projects focused on unionid mussel, macroinvertebrate, and/or fish species in the Great Lakes/Midwest regions.
• Experience identifying macroinvertebrates to genus level.
• Experience developing and implementing monitoring protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly identify unionid mussel and fish species typical of Michigan.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in aquatic ecosystem restoration and management, aquatic invasive species control, and habitat assessments for aquatic animal species.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities and experience with statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS, or SYSTAT).
• Knowledge of NatureServe's natural heritage methodology and Biotics software.

Required Application Materials

Current resume/CV.

Cover letter.

Four (4) professional references including two (2) current or previous supervisors.

Special Instructions

This position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment, renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.

Starting salary $56,100/year, commensurate with education and experience.

Website

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.