Job Description

A natural resources specialist with a passion for social-ecological science is sought for a 2.5 year study on the socio-ecological benefits and impacts of haying, grazing and silvopasture on Conservation Reserve Program lands in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. The specialist will be directly supervised by Dr. Sarah Karpanty (ecologist) but this is a collaborative, interdisciplinary project and thus this position will be co-mentored by Karpanty and Drs. Ashley Dayer (social scientist), Ben Tracy (agroecologist), Elizabeth Hunter (ecologist), Carola Haas (ecologist), and John Fike (forage extension specialist) at Virginia Tech. The project team also includes Drs. Houston Chandler (Orianne Society) and Kevin Loope (conservation scientist) and a full-time post-doctoral associate. The university values diversity and continually strives to maintain and promote an inclusive learning and research environment that embrace all students, faculty, and staff. We are particularly interested in applications from persons identifying with groups currently underrepresented in natural resources fields, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, people of color, people with disabilities, and underrepresented genders. This would include cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and those who are otherwise marginalized.

The research project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. The project objectives are 1) to summarize existing scientific knowledge on the benefits and impacts of haying, grazing and silvopasture on ecosystem services across the United States, 2) to study landowner interests, needs and constraints for grazing and silvopasture on CRP lands in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern US, and 3) to use the existing knowledge and landowner needs to design a robust field study to quantify the benefits and impacts of realistic applications of haying, grazing and silvopasture on CRP lands in this same region, with particular attention given to the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service's Working Lands for Wildlife priority species for conservation.

The natural resource specialist will act as a research technician on this project and conduct the following activities: 1) Assist the post-doctoral associate in coordinating project logistics and team activities; 2) Assist in conducting the literature review and surveys of landowners; 3) Travel with post-doctoral associate and PIs to meet with landowners throughout the Southeastern US and assess site suitability for study objectives; 4) Manage data and assist in report-writing; 6) Assist in preparation of presentations for meetings with USDA partners and at national conferences; 8) Assist in preparing and possibly coauthor peer-reviewed articles; and 9) Be an active member of the research community at Virginia Tech.

The position requires travel to meet landowners and assess site suitability in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and for partner meetings and conferences in the US and possibly internationally

Required Qualifications

- Knowledge of social science (e.g., psychology, sociology) and ecological science concepts, principles, and methods as applied to wildlife, agroecosystem or other natural resource management sufficient to assist in project activities.
- Demonstrated skills in collaborating with others on teams to accomplish shared objectives.
- Excellent communication skills and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- B.S. or higher in natural resources; agricultural sciences; social-ecological sciences; or social sciences related to conservation, natural resources, agroecosystems and/or wildlife management; or ecological science.
- Experience communicating scientific results and methods to agricultural landowners and agricultural and conservation professionals.
- Experience interacting with private landowners, agricultural producers, or forest landowners.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Knowledge of socio-ecological benefits and impacts of grazing, haying and silvopasture

Pay Band

3

Appointment Type

Restricted

Review Date

12/15/23

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.