Invasive Species Program Coordinator

The Alaska Center for Conservation Science (ACCS) is seeking a Research Professional 4 to manage and grow its Invasive and Harmful Species program. This is a full-time, externally funded position at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

As part of this position, the Invasive Species Program Lead will build on existing relationships with agency partners, manage and coordinate the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)funded regional Invasion Hotspot Pilot Project; conduct geospatial/landscape ecological analyses; write grants, technical reports or scientific manuscripts; present information to partners and the public; and work alongside database managers to manage core invasive and harmful species information. Core datasets include species range maps, occurrence records, invasiveness ranks, and taxonomic checklists. Invasive and harmful species addressed includes terrestrial plants and animals, aquatic plants and animals, and marine invasive invertebrates and harmful algae. Secondary duties will involve fieldwork in Alaska.

The selectee will work closely with other members of the ACCS Botany and Aquatic Ecology programs, ACCS’s Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and will collaborate with agencies and organizations including USFWS, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, regional Soil and Water Conservation Districts, other federal and state agencies, NatureServe, and other Natural Heritage Programs.

Funding for this position will largely come from USFWS through an investment by Department of the Interior’s “National Early Detection Rapid Response Framework” in Southcentral Alaska as well as five other designated Invasion Hotspot locations nationally. The two-year project in Alaska will among other things, develop early detection monitoring for specific taxa (such as dreissenid mussels); conduct multitaxon surveillance of priority waterbodies and landscapes; support field validation of environmental DNA methods; provide trainings for invasive species identification; and provide data management and data interface enhancements.

Applicants should possess knowledge of invasive species ecology and management. Have the ability to manage grants and to secure funds from a variety of sources. Strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate and coordinate with teams from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and academic institutions. Strong geospatial analytical skills with large datasets, landscape ecological skills which may include species distributional modeling. Strong writing skills; ability to conduct literature reviews and synthesize research, and write proposals, reports, and scientific manuscripts. Having knowledge of Alaskan habitats and systems and the ability to work in diverse environments is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience with tracking project deliverables, timelines, budgets, and supervision of junior staff. Experience with public outreach or scientific presentations to broad audiences. Experience and interest in collaborating with Indigenous or rural communities is preferred.
Must have a Master’s degree in Biology, Wildlife, or related field plus 4 years of relevant, postgraduate experience or equivalent combination of training and experience (e.g., Ph.D. + 0 years).

Demonstrated experience developing and managing projects in conservation science.
Demonstrated experience in invasive species ecology or management.
Demonstrated capacity for securing extramural funding.

Position Details:

This position may be located in either Anchorage, AK or Homer, AK and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, term-funded, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 81, based on education and experience.

Please upload the following documents with your application:

• CV
• Cover Letter

Applications will be accepted for review on 2/12/25, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE (02/11/2025).

This position is a term-funded position through 12/31/25 and is reviewed for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Matt Carlson, Director, ACCS at at mlcarlson@alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.