Research Associate
Northern Arizona University
Special Information
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.
About the Department/College
The Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) serves diverse audiences with objective science and implementation strategies that support ecological restoration and climate adaptation on Western forest landscapes.
About the Position
The Research Associate who will implement the ERI's forest operations and biomass utilization projects in accordance with the ERI and NAU strategic plans and annual work plans set out by the organization. The successful candidate will work collaboratively to develop new research projects, manage ongoing research activities, support the ERI's outreach programs on federal, state, tribal, and private lands, and assist in the development of forest products industry and wood utilization innovation strategies. S/he will work within the guidelines, policies, and mission of the ERI and NAU.
Responsibilities Include
30% - Research
• Carrying out the Transaction Evidence Appraisal (TEA) project for forest operation feasibility, which includes selecting appropriate analysis procedures, setting up data for analysis, and producing written reports on the result of the analysis.
• Writing reports, peer reviewed publications, and outreach materials.
• Presentation of project results to internal and external parties at professional conferences, seminars, and workshops.
25% - Scholarly Activities
• Planning and designing new research projects, establishing priorities, and recommending work schedules and costs.
• Identify and develop grant proposals for new research projects.
20% - Collaboration and Partnerships
• Coordinate the efforts of implementing forest operations and biomass utilization projects between the USDA Forest Service collaborators, university extensions, and forest products companies in the Southwest.
• Liaisons with other NAU departments to ensure success of project.
15% - Technology Management
• Effectively use forest operation-cost tools with new forest technology to improve business management and in-woods forest operations.
5% - Professional Support
• Provide assistance to other research project teams and administrative staff members at Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) as needed.
5% - Other
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
• Master's degree in relevant discipline.
• 4 years of research support experience.
*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Forest Operations/Economics and work experience pertinent to this position.
• Work experience with the natural resource management, and timber sale contracting on Southwestern National Forests.
• Work experience with the forest products industry in the US Southwest.
• Familiarity with the USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy (WCS).
• Familiarity and experience with the economic and logistical challenges associated with forest restoration thinning treatments.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge
• Demonstrated knowledge and research experience in a wide range of forest restoration and fuel reduction thinning treatments on national forests.
• Demonstrated knowledge of timber sale analysis on national forests in the context of ecological restoration in partnership with professional staff and external collaborators.
• Knowledge of the ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests typical of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of relevant research practices.
• Knowledge of research methods, protocols, data collection, and analysis.
• Developing knowledge of relevant research discipline.
• Knowledge of proper safety and compliance practices related to the conduct of research.
• Familiarity with wood and biomass utilization and the forest products industry in the US Southwest.
Skills
• Technical understanding and proficiency related to conducting relevant research procedures.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and other data management tools such as R, Python, or ArcGIS.
• Must have excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Technical experience performing statistical analysis on forest restoration thinning treatments and cost data.
Abilities
• Ability to follow standard principles and guidelines under a team research work environment.
• Balances competing priorities and tasks.
• Communicates effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.
• Work with research partners working in universities and USDA Forest Service.
• Able to communicate what the ERI does and what it needs to be successful to a wide spectrum of interests.
Compensation
Salary range begins at $58,882. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.
Pre-Employment Check
Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.
This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.
Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report
Each year Northern Arizona University releases an https://in.nau.edu/police-department/annual-security-and-fire-safety-reports/. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the https://in.nau.edu/police-department/annual-security-and-fire-safety-reports/ is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.
Immigration Support/Sponsorship
NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.
To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6372337
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