Mitigation Researcher

Degree and area of specialization:

BS required; MS preferred. Preferred area of specialization in biology, ecology, hydrology, botany, soil science or environmental engineering.

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:

At least two years of field experience in the area of wetland mitigation required. Experience in natural resources regulation, fisheries and wildlife habitat management preferred. Familiarity with Wisconsin’s mitigation rules and guidelines required. Must have excellent communication and organizational skills, including advanced reporting skills. Knowledge of wetland restoration and enhancement practices and challenges and experience reviewing wetland compensatory mitigation site plans preferred. The ability to locate geospacial information available on wetlands, watershet boundaries, land cover and soals required. Must have excellent internet research skills. Experience working with GPS, ArcGIS 9 and MS Access preferred.

Principal duties:

The Mitigation Researcher will serve as an expert on wetland compensatory mitigation policy and will work with University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel to develop new guidance and training for improved mitigation statewide. The Mitigation Researcher will have a strong background in wetland restoration science in order to assist with review of mitigation procedures. The Mitigation Researcher will serve as a key member of an interagency team, with a special emphasis on providing science-based recommendations.

The Mitigation Researcher will analyze available information about wetland mitigation approval decisions. Mitigation rules and guidance will be reviewed, including the new federal mitigation rules and Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (DOT) technical guidelines for mitigation banking, and inconsistencies among these documents will be resolved. Proposed changes to mitigation rules will be developed where necessary. Databases will be coordinated so that the same information is being tracked and shared for analysis and reporting. The Mitigation Researcher will be responsible for developing a comprehensive report detailing how best to improve Wisconsin’s wetland compensatory mitigation program by enhancing coordination of different mitigation programs. The report will provide recommendations for new guidance for prospective mitigation bankers and will be submitted for addition to the DNR website. Recommendations will be developed and tested for training DNR, DOT and Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) staff to provide more consistent review of mitigation proposals.

Specific responsibilities include:
Evaluate state mitigation program activities and improve mitigation activity tracking
–Prepare and submit biennial mitigation reports evaluating program activities, process time and success patterns
–Maintain current information on wetland compensatory mitigation activities on the DNR website
–Evaluate mitigation databases of different programs and develop recommendations on information tracking and data sharing
–Assist with the review of new mitigation proposals
— Maintain mitigation GIS resources and keep available geospatial data on mitigation sites current
–Incorporate geospatial data with the mitigation database

Assist coordination of the compensatory mitigation Interagency Mitigation Bank Review Team (MBRT) and MBRT activities
–Arrange and host MBRT meetings as needed
–Set meeting agendas
–Take meeting minutes and distribute to meeting members
–Follow up on issues raised during meetings
–Actively participate in MBRT meetings and activities

Draft new guidance and guidelines for the wetland compensatory mitigation program in consultation with the MBRT and key DNR staff
–Produce updated Wisconsin mitigation guidelines for all state mitigation activities that are consistent with the new federal mitigation rules
–Complete new guidance for DNR staff to coordinate review of mitigation bank site proposals
–Complete new guidance for prospective bankers to clarify the steps for getting a new bank approved
–Complete guidance for mitigation database development and data sharing
–Recommend state rule revisions if necessary

Publicize results of project and provide training
–Develop a final report summarizing research findings and recommendations
–Develop presentations and handouts to help train agency staff with the review of mitigation proposals
–Update DNR website with links to guidelines, guidance, training materials and key report findings
–Serve as expert contact to central office and field staff and resource managers on wetland mitigation policy issue

NOTE: The majority of work for this position will take place at the WI Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921. Some work will also take place at the UW Arboretum.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email your resume and cover letter including contact information (name, phone, email) for three references, referring to Position Vacancy Listing #66264, to: