Job Description
JOB Title: Research Associate (Forest Pest Biologist) Position Number: 0079222THiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Army Natural Resource Program on O‘ahu (ANRPO)Location: Schofield BarracksDate Posted: May 7, 2026Closing Date: May 20, 2026 @ 11:59pmBand: Pay Band B (PBB)Salary: salary schedules and placement informationAdditional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experienceFull Time/Part Time: Full TimeTemporary/Permanent: TemporaryOther Conditions: This position is annually renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding.Duties and Responsibilities (NOTE: denotes Essential Functions) Leads the strategic planning, implementation, and adaptive management of ANRPO’s forest pest (alien invertebrates and plant pathogens) management program in alignment with biological opinions, federal consultations, and Army Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs). Coordinates with program managers, coordinators, field supervisors, biologists, and specialists on forest pest program projects, initiatives, management plans, and actions. Ensures actions are scheduled and reviewed with field teams. Oversees the forest pest program logistics, including scheduling, gear and supply inventory, purchasing, facilities maintenance, data collection, and ensuring successful action completion. Designs and directs forest pest program activities. Develops innovative techniques, monitoring protocols, and management strategies. Minimizes potential non-target impacts. Follows best/recommended management practices. Implements, monitors, and provides oversight for fieldwork initiatives focusing on forest pest management, including monitoring, trapping, and pesticide treatment for a diverse array of forest pests, such as slugs, ants, other insects, and pathogens. Directs staff on relevant field actions. Oversees and conducts staff training on critical forest pest management and related rare taxa protection practices and actions. Provides oversight, mentorship, and technical support for field teams, technicians, and temporary staff conducting management activities. Manages and analyzes forest pest management data to monitor program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and ensure data accuracy. Ensures the accuracy, quality, and timeliness of programmatic deliverables, including internal and external reports and presentations, action review, permit review and reporting, pesticide usage documentation, and collaborative agency updates. Manages workflows to meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations. Oversees research, development, and adaptive management initiatives to continually enhance forest pest management. Conducts and manages experimental trials, including development of Experimental Use Permits and Special Local Needs Labels, distributing key findings through publications to inform and improve forest pest management practices. Engages in interagency collaboration and coordination, participating in working groups, consultations, and meetings to inform, innovate, and implement shared conservation strategies related to forest pest management. Leads and supports staff development activities, such as education days and hands-on training in field techniques, native and invasive species identification, recognition of forest pest presence and impact, pesticide use, habitat management, and safety practices.Reviews, revises, and enforces safety practices and standard operating procedures.Conducts operations in UXO-affected areas, supports helicopter missions, and may perform other high-risk tasks while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education and Professional Work ExperiencePossession of a baccalaureate degree in Biological Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with natural resource management of biological resources, including two (2) years of experience in forest pest management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of forest pest (alien invertebrates and plant pathogens) management in island ecosystems, including strategies, monitoring methods, tools, and threat control techniques as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with the Endangered Species Act and environmental laws.