Temporary Field & Data Manager - Davis College, School of Natural Resources and the Environment

The School of Natural Resources and the Environment is currently accepting applications for a Remote Temporary Research Associate (Field and data manager) at West Virginia University. Assistance with different research projects such as the National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Counting Process (NMS-COUNT) partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

The NMS-COUNT Field Interviewer position will be essential to the completion of data collection within the Great Lakes region, Hawaii, and in southern California. The Field Lead will work with interviewers who will conduct face-to-face interviewers with recreation visitors as they exit recreation sites. Interviewers will travel to a variety of national marine sanctuary sites. Shifts vary between morning, afternoon and evening hours and very often occur on weekend days.

What You'll Do

Responsibilities are functional in nature, and performed under direct supervision. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

Work Tasks

• Supervising recreation use surveys with visitors on NMS waters/coasts in a positive, friendly and respectful manner.
• Conducting recreation use surveys.
• Checking schedule on the Google Drive weekly/daily basis and planning out survey site drive times and location with GPS and forest maps.
• Filling out and keeping track of surveys and daily counts in a neat, orderly fashion.
• Compiling weekly reports for field supervisor about site use levels, recreation use and weather conditions at each assigned surveying site.
• Adhering to strict data collection policies and guidelines including proper dress, displaying of safety signage, etc.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision from field management at all times.
  
  Physical Demands
  Requires the ability to stand for long periods, walk, sit, stoop, bend at waist, have manual dexterity and feel, grasp, reach, talk, and hear. Activities are predominantly non-manual. Employee will be required to travel on a frequent basis. It will be necessary for the incumbent to be able to lift/carry equipment and/or supplies up to 25 lbs. Activities require manual skill to provide and/or alter services and/or products.
  
  Work Environment
  Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment available. Traveling through rural terrain with some remote sites via during winter, spring, summer and fall seasons to different site types in a variety of weather conditions. The incumbent is responsible to know and comply with all safety procedures.

Pay Grade: 13
Length of Assignment: 8.5 Months
Work Hours: 37.5 Hours per week

• Requires business, secretarial or technical training related to the position to which assigned, obtained through a formal training program of over eighteen (18) months and up to three (3) years beyond high school
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience involving:
  • Previous in-field data collection experience on state, federal or municipal lands is required.
  • Broad experience with outdoor recreation concepts/issues
  • Experience in social survey methodology
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

• Competency in written and oral communication.
• Ability to drive to remote locations
• Ability to keep neat and concise notes and surveys.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.
• Skilled in effective communication.
• Skilled in strategic planning and logistics.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Skilled in critical thinking, including using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Skilled in monitoring/assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take correction.

• Skilled in systems analysis, including determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.
  
  Behavioral Competencies

• Technical skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; pursues training and development opportunities; assesses strengths, weaknesses, and shares expertise with others.
• Problem solving - Gathers and analyzes information, identifies problems, develops alternatives, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics and works well in groups and resolves matters timely.
• Internal & External Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional matters with objectivity and openness; responds promptly to needs and requests for service and assistance; meets commitments and dates, notifies others if change occurs; provides, solicits and applies feedback; and builds goodwill through balanced contributions, positive approaches, and demonstrating respect and support of others.
• Communications - Demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings, listens and gets clarification, is responsive and speaks clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations. Writes and edits clearly and informatively, varies style to meet needs, presents numerical data effectively, and is able to read and interpret written information.
• Organizational Support - Aligns work and develops strategies to meet organizational goals; seeks to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; and upholds organizational expectations and values.
• Self-Management - Responds to management direction; resourcefully adapts to changes in work environment and circumstances; responds well under pressure and manages competing demands; takes calculated risks, asks for and offers help
  when needed; exercises discretion and sound judgment; is tactful and responsible for own actions. Adheres to work schedule and complies with leave management responsibilities.

• Valid driver's license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.