Biological Scientist

This position is with the Data Collection Team of the PNW Research Station’s Forest Monitoring and Assessment (FMA) Program, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) unit. The FIA unit is part of a nationwide program which collects, processes, analyzes, evaluates, and publishes comprehensive information on forest (including urban forests) and other related renewable resources. Administration for this Data Collection team is in Portland, Oregon and field crews are remotely stationed throughout Washington, Oregon, and California.

The incumbent functions as a member of the FIA Quality Assurance staff (QA). The mission of the data collection team is to collect high-quality data on forest, urban forests and non-forest resources in Washington, Oregon, and California, and to work with other FIA units to ensure the quality, completeness, and usefulness of inventory data.

Quality Assurance

Incumbent develops and implements innovative and interactive training for field staff on standardized forest & urban-forest inventory protocols. Ensures data collection activities are consistent with regional and national guidelines. Reviews and provides timely responses to questions regarding data collection protocol, contacting regional and national experts as necessary to ensure national consistency in data collection methods. Evaluates quality of data collected to ensure standardized protocols are used and measurements are repeatable. Provides data collection crews with valuable feedback to enhance overall data quality. Works with information management staff to fix errors with data collection software. Provides recommendations to inventory coordinators to improve data quality. Implements cleanup of inventory data; utilizes logic checks and subject matter expertise to identify errors. Works with FIA researchers and analysts to determine the best data collection methods for pilot studies or new variables. Assists analysts with interpretation of data as needed. Participates on national FIA task teams to develop and implement forest and urban inventory protocols and information management systems and promote data collection consistency. Develops, writes, and edits forest inventory protocols, collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure appropriate methodologies are used. Works with interdisciplinary staff to manage and extract information from complex, local and national databases.

Forest Inventory

Incumbent maintains expert knowledge of PNW regional Forest Inventory and Analysis program field procedures and data collection methods. Serves as a data collection crew member or crew leader on occasion during the field season, ensuring safety, data quality, and efficiency. Locates field sites using written directions, aerial photographs, topographic maps, compass, and GPS. Maintains professional knowledge of local urban forest botany and ecology to collect and inspect data on urban forest inventory attributes. Records all measurements utilizing a personal data recorder.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Duty Station information:

Work area boundaries may fluctuate based on annual workload. Travel outside the assigned work area will be required to assist other field crews meet program objectives. Work sites include forest on industry, private, tribal, state, and federal lands. Field staff must be comfortable with remote work environments and off-trail hiking. The dramatic landscapes (though beautiful) can make access challenging. Long workdays and long drives are unavoidable.