Title: Scientist (5-Year Term)
Requisition Id: 4227
Salary: $58,116.00 - $72,528.00
Salary Grade: S9
Job Location: Southeast Regional Office (CAPEG1)
Closing Date: February 18, 2026
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Molly J Sobotka at Molly.Sobotka@mdc.mo.gov or at 573-290-5858 Ext. 4483, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Provide science-based programs to maintain the health & prosperity of aquatic communities.
Essential Job Duties
- Serves as the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program-Long Term Resource Monitoring (UMRR-LTRM) water quality component specialist. Provide leadership and coordination while overseeing the UMRR-LTRM water quality component.
- Coordinates and/or leads field crews to collect water quality, invertebrates, and other aquatic organism community data from the Mississippi River using protocols established by the UMRR-LTRM and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
- Procures and maintains field equipment for UMRR-LTRM and Department research projects.
- Enters or supervises the entry, vertification, and transfer of data.
- Creates reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations for stakeholders and partners including state and federal agencies, researchers and students, resource managers, administrators and the public.
- Provides input for project development, design, and data analyses utilizing UMRR-LTRM and Department data. Leads or assists in the preparation of grant proposals to answer research and management questions that explain long-term trends in Mississippi River data.
- Lead or participate in Department priority working groups and program efforts.
- Attends and presents information at intra-and interstate meetings, workshops, and conferences pertinent to large river ecology. Condenses and disseminates scientific information to the public and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.
- Stays current with large river ecological literature including new or improved methods for monitoring these systems.
- Performs other duties as required.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Master’s Degree in Wildlife Science, Fisheries, Biological Sciences, or related.
- At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to operate boats, outboard motors, land maintenance equipment, power tools and large trucks pulling trailer.
- Ability to define a problem, analyze relevant information, develop solutions and solve the problem.
- Ability to travel and work varying shifts, as required.
- Ability to use office equipment, such as copier, phone system, fax, scanner, and computer.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Familiarity with GPS and GIS equipment.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data to identify trends.
- Experience with data management and analysis software such as R or SAS.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Regularly lift up to 30 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Cape Girardeau