Interpretive Research Associate

In cooperation with the USWS Columbia-Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islands Regions (USDOI Regions 9 and 12), Great Basin Institute seeks to recruit and hire a Visual Information Research Associate (RA). The RA will support the USFWS mission “to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing enjoyment of people” and the 67 national wildlife refuges within the region.

The Interpretive Research Associate will provide assistance to the Pacific Region National Wildlife Refuges and Monuments (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Hawai’i, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands). The associate will be a member of the Regional Offices Visitor Services Branch team and will be mentored by the Branch Chief of Visitor Services.

The work of the Division and Visitor Services Branch is focused on welcoming, orienting, educating, and protecting visitors; providing quality wildlife-dependent recreation and education opportunities on Refuge System lands; improving public use infrastructure; facilitating partnerships and cooperative projects; and enhancing overall organizational excellence in visitor services.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Orientation to familiarize Associate with the USFWS, National Wildlife Refuge System, and Pacific Region.
• Develop interpretive matrix for 1-3 Refuges to outline storytelling opportunities for publications, displays, programs, and digital media by connecting tangible resources to intangible meanings.
• Research Refuge purposes and audience (visitors and communities) to develop draft interpretive matrices. This is accomplished using documents such as Comprehensive Conservation plans and social science.
• Develop interpretive plan outline that includes Refuge purposes, audiences, goals and objectives, desired experience, and primary interpretive theme matrices.

Contract Timeline:

• 14 week appointment beginning in April 2024, pending successful completion of DOI Background Investigation.
• Full-time (40hrs./wk)

Location:

Remote position

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $24/hr.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, design, computer science, or related coursework and commensurate field experience;
• Experience with a variety of communication tools to produce materials, including designing and producing written and visual materials;
• Experience with graphic design and Adobe Suite, highly desirable;
• Experience living or working in, and/or knowledge of the region’s ecosystems and natural/cultural resources, desirable;
• Motivated, self-starter who is detail oriented;
• Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities;
• Willingness to commit (pending performance and funding) to the full duration of the project, desired;
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse public in a variety of forums;
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments; and
• Possess valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license.