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Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Research Specialist (National Park Service)

Work Location Springfield Campus

Department Biology

HR Home Department 020713 BIOLOGY

Pay Grade 41

Proposed Salary $17.21 hourly

Sponsorship Information

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees? No, Position is available to all applicants.

Appointment Type Full Time Regular

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

General Function

The Research Specialist carries out specific research objectives or other projects defined by the Principal Investigator. The duties of the Research Specialist will vary in level of responsibility and complexity depending on the grant project.

Description of Primary Duties

This is a grant funded, limited term position with the possibility of extension if funding continues. Current funding is available for 12 months. Extension is contingent upon funding availability.

The successful candidate will participate in collecting field data using standardized and peer-reviewed protocols and contribute to the aquatic resource monitoring of national parks to assess status and trends of resource conditions. This includes:

1) Identification of fish species, aquatic invertebrates, and aquatic plants

2) Measuring abundance or condition of these taxa

3) Collection of physical habitat or water quality data

4) Use of specialized equipment such as flow meters, water quality meters, electrofishing equipment, etc.

5) Equipment calibration, maintenance and repair

6) Travel throughout the Midwest for several consecutive days.

Data entry using Access database software and performing data quality assurance is an important function of this position in order to maintain long-term datasets that provide trend assessments. Successful candidates may also be asked to summarize data using basic statistical functions (such as means and standard errors), create graphs and tables for reports, and contribute to report writing. The Research Specialist may also supervise student workers in the field. The Research Specialist will receive additional on-the-job training as needed for required activities (e.g., safe boat operation, electrofishing techniques, plant, invertebrate and fish identification and sampling)

This position will include extensive travel to multiple national parks for several consecutive days, conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions, and wade in streams, drive canoe and/or drive a boat. The selected candidate should possess a demonstrated ability to accurately and efficiently collect aquatic field data (fish/invertebrates/water quality) both independently and in a team setting and a good understanding of the scientific process and knowledge of freshwater aquatic systems.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree is required; a Bachelor’s degree in a discipline of the hiring college or research center is preferred.

Skills: Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills are required. Must have the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff, as well as to communicate effectively with off-campus collaborators. Proficiency with basic spreadsheet, graphics, and word processing software is required. Other specific requirements depend upon the particular position.

Other: Positions associated with this position classification may be located in facilities requiring the position to be designated “sensitive” as defined by University policy. Positions associated with this position classification may include job duties, responsibilities, or activities that are subject to export control regulations.

Additional Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to accurately and efficiently collect aquatic field data (fish/invertebrates/water quality) both independently and in a team setting is required. A good understanding of the scientific process and knowledge of freshwater aquatic systems is required. Extensive travel to multiple national parks for several consecutive days, ability to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions, and ability to wade in streams, and to canoe and/or drive a boat is required.

Additional requirements include ability to communicate effectively with off-campus collaborators and National Park Service staff.

Link to Job Description https://www.missouristate.edu/human/jobdescriptions/5970-research-specialist.htm

Open Date 07/29/2025

Close Date (If Close Date is blank then the posting is considered open until filled)

Special Instructions to Applicants

First date of consideration will be September 12, 2025. Review of applications will continue until filled.

This is a grant funded, limited term position with the possibility of extension if funding continues. Current funding is available for 12 months. Extension is contingent upon funding availability.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Non-Discrimination Statement

Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, [email protected], 417-836-4252.

Background Check Statement

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.

Posting Detail

Posting Number 20250156FTS

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/82911

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * How did you hear about this vacancy?

+ Indeed

+ Linkedin

+ Missouri State University Website

+ Google

+ Employee Referral

+ Job Alerts

+ HigherEdJobs.com

+ Personal Contacts / Networking

+ Job Board (CareerBuilder.com, Monster, etc.)

+ Other

+ * Please specify the recruitment source where you located this posting. If you selected Employee Referral above, please list the name of the current MSU employee who referred you.

(Open Ended Question)

+ * Do you have a Bachelor's degree?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * What discipline is your Bachelor's degree?

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

+ Unofficial Transcripts - 1

Optional Documents

+ Letter of Recommendation-1 (Non-confidential)

+ Letter of Recommendation-2 (Non-confidential)

+ Other Documents -1

+ Certificate/License-1

+ Unofficial Transcripts -2