The Minnesota Division of Forestry is seeking a Research Scientist 3 / Forest Modeler for stand yield, stand structure and growth, and distribution modeling. For more information, contact: David Heinzen (218/327-4449 #222) or David.Heinzen@state.mn.us. Apply on-line by accessing the State of Minnesota jobs website, Posting Number: 09DNR000315

Description - This position exists to: 1) plan, design, develop and implement methods and procedures for forest research in the technical areas of spatial and harvest scheduling); 2) provide scientific expertise and support to the Division and the Department to guide and support the proper multiple use management of Minnesota's forest ecosystems; 3) develop and/or assess statistical methods, designs and procedures for forest survey and resource management activities; 4) complete professional statistical, data analysis and modeling work to develop forest growth information; 5) develop, manage and report on selected forestry data bases on computerized retrieval systems so that current and historical data is available; and 6) market products and services available through the Resource Assessment Program.

Required Qualifications - A bachelor of science or masters degree in forest science / management (or a closely related natural science) program accredited by the Society of American Foresters, or a similar accrediting organization, is required. An advanced degree in forest mensuration (or a closely related field of study) is REQUIRED. Two years of DEMONSTRATED operational research and analysis experience in the areas of stand yield, stand structure and growth, and distribution models is required.

The position requires advanced knowledge of general forestry: forest mensuration, including inventory, biometrics/statistics, sampling, and modeling; utilization and marketing resource analysis and computer programming, operation and product generation. The incumbent needs originality, initiative, inventiveness and sound scientific training to analyze, solve and report problems in forest management research and sampling design and resource analysis. The person needs to be able to communicate with clients to market services, assess needs, support proper interpretation and use of provided information and assure the information provided is accurately portrayed in long range planning documents.

Due to the sensitivity and potential financial impact of resource assessments in the areas of environmental monitoring and industrial expansion, this person must be able to retain confidentiality and impartiality during analysis projects. While working alone the majority of the time, the incumbent must be able to plan, supervise and evaluate research projects with work study, temporary help or cooperating scientist involvement. The incumbent must be able to deal with the complex interactions of multi-agency projects and possess the training, teaching and coaching skills to detail quality control procedures for field survey projects and the selling skills to assure the field personnel involved are committed to the implementation.

Desired Qualifications - Working knowledge and operational expertise in the use of RemSoft Spatial Analysis System software; knowledge of other forest management modeling software and concepts; and GIS knowledge and experience. A PhD in forest mensuration with operational research and analysis experience in the areas of stand yield, stand structure and growth, and distribution models is preferred.

This position is located in the beautiful north central lakes region of Minnesota in the city of Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is the home of the Minnesota Division of Forestry Resource Assessment Office and the USFS North Central Forest Experiment Station.