Temporary Coral Reef Human Dimensions Technician - Davis College

The West Virginia University Division of Forestry & Natural Resources is currently accepting applications for (3) Temporary Coral Reef Human Dimensions Field Technicians.

The Temporary Coral Reef Human Dimensions Field Technicians will report to the Director of the Division of Forestry & Natural Resources.

About the Opportunity

The Coral Reef Human Dimensions Field Technician will provide assistance with research project collecting socioeconomic data related to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and coral reef ecosystems. Data collection includes, but is not limited to, surveying visitors and users in outdoor recreational settings, assisting with operation of stakeholder workshops, and interacting with recreational outfitters and professionals, researchers, and the public. Responsibilities require professional judgement, communication, and resourcefulness. Duties and tasks have considerable impact on project and grant based outcomes, as well as project relations with agencies, researchers, and the public.

The successful applicant will be essential to the completion of research grant efforts with WVU and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Partners include NOAA, other research Universities, and local recreational partners. The locations of work include the entire Florida Keys region, including the greater Miami-Dade area as well for travel purposes. The Field Technician will conduct both face-to-face interviewers and remote data collection with National Marine Sanctuary visitors as they exit recreation sites. The Technician will travel to a variety of sites within the Florida Keys and work in both indoor and outdoor settings. Shifts vary between morning, afternoon and evening hours and very often occur on weekend days.

PAY GRADE - 10

Assignment Length: Approximately 8 months

What you'll do:

Responsibilities are functional in nature, and performed under direct supervision. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

Field work in Florida:

• Conducting recreation use and activity surveys with visitors in and around National Marine Sanctuary settings in a positive, friendly and respectful manner.
• Checking schedule on the Google Drive weekly/daily basis and planning out survey site drive times and location with GPS and region maps.
• Set up interviewing sites (i.e. sign placement, traffic cone placement, etc.) properly to ensure safety of self and visitors. Place and calibrate pneumatic traffic and infrared trail counters properly to ensure that visitor counts are accurate. Return after 24 hours to obtain counts, take down and/or reset the counting device.
• Place and calibrate trail cameras to capture use on assigned trail and road systems.
• Return weekly to download data from trail cameras and report number of events recorded on the camera to field supervisor.
• Filling out and keeping track of surveys and daily counts in a neat, orderly fashion.
• Compiling weekly reports for field supervisor about site use levels, recreation use and weather conditions at each assigned surveying site.
• Adhering to strict data collection policies and guidelines including proper dress, displaying of safety signage, etc.
• Ability to conduct professional conversations and collect feedback from visitors, businesses, local citizens, and other stakeholders in both formal and informal meeting settings. This may include detailed note-taking, presentation ability, and or question formulation.
• Ability to drive long distances over a variety of road surfaces during early morning and early evening hours.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision from field management at all times.

Education

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  Associate Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field

  
  

Experience

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  A minimum of 0-6 months of previous in-field data collection experience on state, federal or municipal lands is preferred, but not required.

  
  

• Spanish language proficiency is not required but preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid driver's license

• Broad experience with outdoor recreation concepts/issues
• Experience in social survey methodology.
• Ability to communication clearly in written and verbal English language is required,
• Competency in written and oral communication.
• Ability to drive on roads to remote locations
• Ability to keep neat and concise notes and surveys.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.
• Skilled in strategic planning and logistics.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Skilled in critical thinking, including using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Skilled in monitoring/assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take correction.
• Skilled in systems analysis, including determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley - the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU's academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

To learn more about West Virginia University, visit go.wvu.edu. View current career opportunities at careers.wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.