January 21st 2025
Tagged: Environmental Science and Sustainability
ROLE TITLE: Assistant Research Scientist Watershed Conservation Research Center
POSITION REPORTS TO: WCRC Research Scientist
—
Summary of Position
Allegheny College, a small selective national liberal arts college, invites applications for the position of Assistant Research Scientist for the Watershed Conservation and Research Center at Allegheny. This is a grant-funded, 12 month (15 February 2025 to February 15 2026) hourly wage appointment, with subsequent appointment contingent upon performance reviews and external funding. The assistant research scientist reports directly to the Research Scientist of the Watershed Conservation Research Center. Our mission is to engage in strategic conservation activities and train future watershed stewards to protect, restore and enhance our land and water resources for future generations in the upper Allegheny River basin, focusing on the French Creek Watershed.
—
As the Assistant Scientist, you will:
- Provide support of College and WCRC strategic goals
- Support ongoing WCRC programs and projects
- Assist with the aquatic and terrestrial field data collection, compilation and entry of ecological data
- Assist with educational outreach events and research symposium organization
- Manage and maintain lab and field equipment
- Develop and maintain collaborative student research project
—
Experience and Qualifications
Required Skills & Knowledge
- Knowledge of applied ecology and conservation, recent and foundational scientific literature, and contemporary field and lab methods is required
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access
- Ability to prepare, organize, and maintain field and lab equipment
- Required abilities include taking initiative, self-motivation, strong organizational and time management skills
- A valid driver’s license and ability to drive 15 passenger vehicles
- Ability to work flexible hours, requiring early morning and evening work, and some weekend work.
- Ability to use dichotomous keys to identify macroinvertebrate species
- Experience and willingness to learn GIS and dichotomous keys for fish and macroinvertebrate identification is preferred but not mandatory
Education
- A B.S. or B.A. in environmental science, biology, ecology, applied conservation or a closely related field is required.
- College level courses work with labs such as Ecology (Terrestrial or Aquatic), Conservation Biology, or Natural Resource Management with 1 year of experience required working as part of a lab involved in restoration, aquatic research and/or conservation, or wildlife and fisheries ecology (terrestrial or aquatic). Experience with environmental education or outreach is encouraged.
- Position requires the ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time both in the laboratory and during extensive fieldwork. Position requires frequent manual dexterity and the ability to swim, use fingers, hands, and arms to feel, handle, and reach. Position requires frequent hiking, wading through streams and uneven terrain, stooping, crouching, bending, and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds. Working conditions are both indoor and outdoor in all weather conditions.
—
YOUR COMPENSATION
New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.
This is a non-exempt position and the starting range rate for this position is $18.00 per hour.
—
THE HIRING PROCESS
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and provide contact information for three references to the Office of Human Resources, Allegheny College, by e-mail to employment@allegheny.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
—
ALLEGHENY COLLEGE
Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation’s oldest and most innovative four-year colleges where multidisciplinary learning breaks the conventional mold. It is one of the few colleges in the United States with a unique requirement to choose both a major and minor for graduation, to provide students with a cross-disciplinary path in the sciences and humanities for educational depth and intellectual growth. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College is one of 44 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives.” In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country’s 100 top national liberal arts colleges — and including in the top 25 Undergraduate Teaching, Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects, First-Year Experience, and Senior Capstone.
Allegheny’s undergraduate residential education prepares students for successful, meaningful lives by promoting students’ intellectual, moral, and social development and encouraging personal and civic responsibility. Allegheny’s faculty and staff combine high academic standards and a commitment to the exchange of knowledge with a supportive approach to learning. Graduates are equipped to think critically and creatively, write clearly, speak persuasively, and meet challenges in a diverse, interconnected world. Allegheny College is deeply committed to creating an inclusive community that actively challenges racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of bias (see Allegheny College Statement of Community).
Allegheny College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The College does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, creed, national/ethnic origin, ancestry, veterans, handicap or disability as those terms are defined under applicable law, or members of other underrepresented groups.
Allegheny College is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Director of Human Resources
Visit the Allegheny College Web Site at www.allegheny.edu
Visit Watershed Conservation Research Center
posted 1/21/2025
