Natural Heritage Database Specialist

Requisition Id: 3470 

Salary: $56,304.00 - $70,272.00  

Salary Grade: S9 

Job Location:  Commission Headquarters (JEFFE1) 

Closing Date: November 18, 2024

 

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- Kelly M Rezac at Kelly.Rezac@mdc.mo.gov or at573 5224115x3151.  We'd love to hear from you! 

Summary/Objective

Oversee the statewide Missouri Natural Heritage Program and manage the associated Natural Heritage Database (NHD) – an information management system that provides a comprehensive compilation of geospatial records of locations of Species and Natural Communities of Conservation Concern (SOCC) occurring in Missouri and associated biological information. This Program is essential to understanding trends in Missouri’s biodiversity and species distribution over time and is a vital resource used by MDC staff and partners to inform targeted, strategic conservation planning efforts. The NHD is also shared with dozens of conservation partners including State and Federal agencies, NGOs, and other Heritage Programs to inform the conservation and protection of SOCC statewide, regionally and nationally.

Essential Job Duties

• Oversee the statewide Missouri Natural Heritage Program and manage the associated Natural Heritage Database (NHD) in coordination with department personnel.
• Direct all data entry and quality control/manipulation of data in existing Natural Heritage database and data mapping. Supervise data entry by hourly employees. Ensure the program meets national standards; assist in the development of data standards and methods at the national level.
• Maintain database functionality in coordination with NatureServe and Natural Heritage Programs in other States.
• Provide Natural Heritage data to MDC staff through regular updates to MDC servers and websites, including the Environmental Review Tool, and to conservation partners by negotiating and managing Natural Heritage data sharing licenses and developing customized products or exported geodatabases.
• Provide training and technical support on use of the Natural Heritage Database to MDC staff and partners and assist with interpretation and application of the NHD including development of specialized products such as maps, graphics and reports. Manage and provide technical assistance for the Natural Heritage Survey123 mobile application solution for collecting and updating records in the field.
• Serve as MDC’s primary liaison to NatureServe and represent MDC on the U.S. Council of Natural Heritage Programs.
• Annually update and produce the Species and Natural Communities of Conservation Concern (SOCC) Checklist.

Ancillary Job Duties

• Oversee data retention including record scanning and archiving of original records.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise hourly employees to map and enter data and perform quality control of that data.
• Participate in research, monitoring, or survey project teams requiring Natural Heritage Data and provide expertise in data use, interpretation and data collection.
• Organize, facilitate, and chair semi-annual meetings for MDC and data-sharing partners.
• Facilitate data integration to assist with the development of reports, program measures, and models for internal and external websites.