Research Associate (Forest Pest Biologist, 0079222T)

Location : Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number: 2026-00930
Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation System
Division: Army Natural Resources Program on 'Oahu
Opening Date: 05/07/2026
Closing Date: 5/20/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 0079222T

Description
Title: Research Associate (Forest Pest Biologist)

Position Number: 0079222T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Army Natural Resource Program on O'ahu (ANRPO)

Location: Schofield Barracks

Date Posted: May 7, 2026

Closing Date: May 20, 2026 @ 11:59pm

Band: Pay Band B (PBB)

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other 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 Experience

• Possession 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.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and proficiency including but not limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint or other presentation software; software for statistical analysis and graphing; and ArcGIS or other geospatial database software.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of alien invertebrate identification, biology, natural history, ecology, impacts, surveying, monitoring, handling, and control techniques.
• Proficient knowledge of plant pathogen identification methods, management and research.
• Familiarity with pesticide use, handling, regulations, reporting, and related safety protocols.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of natural resource management strategies and techniques, native ecosystems, ecosystem threats, native and invasive flora and fauna, and threat control.
• Knowledge of trial and experimental design principles.
• Established proficiency in terrain navigation utilizing maps, compasses, and GPS.
• Required to complete a Department of Defense (DoD) security check for employment as an Army contractor, including a government security investigation and eligibility verification for access to unclassified information.
• Must possess Certification in First Aid/CPR or be able to obtain the certificate within three (3) months of hire through provided training. Certification must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.
• Must be able to complete helicopter safety courses within six (6) months from date of hire.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain State of Hawai'i Certification for Application of Restricted Use Pesticides within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment.
• Must complete the online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or no later than the employee's initial exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Must complete Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Training within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment.
• If selected for chainsaw use, must be able to complete chainsaw training within twelve (12) months from date of hire.
• Requires a valid U.S. driver's license and the ability to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle in various conditions.
• Ability to hike up to six (6) miles per day with a 35-pound backpack, camp in rugged terrain and in remote areas for up to four (4) days at a time, and conduct work under strenuous outdoor conditions (e.g., mud, extreme weather, steep terrain).
• Required to comply with all applicable RCUH, University of Hawai'i, and business entity policies, procedures, and training as a condition of employment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Education and experience in programs managing rare and endangered species and ecosystems on Army lands in Hawai'i.
• Knowledge of Department of the Army natural resources programs in general and the policies and organizational contexts within which they are managed, especially safety and logistical requirements necessary to plan field operations around Army training schedules.
• Familiarity with integrative techniques used to inventory, assess, and monitor natural resource assets, environmental impacts and their interrelationships.
• Familiarity with biological database application and maintenance.
• Knowledge of forest pests (alien invertebrates and plant pathogens) found in Hawai'i.
• Experience conducting forest pest management in a natural area setting.
• Familiarity with ant, slug, and invasive snail management strategies.
• Familiarity with Experimental Use Permits and Special Local Needs labels for pesticide use.
• Knowledge of plants found in Hawai'i, including both native and invasive taxa.
• Working knowledge of rare and federally listed Hawaiian plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates.
• Familiarity with working under federal and state permitting requirements for endangered species.

To Apply:

Select the "Apply" button in the top right corner of the screen; first-time NeoGov users will need to create an account. Please ensure your application includes the following materials:

• Cover Letter: A letter detailing your interest and how you meet both the minimum and desirable qualifications. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date to be considered.
• Resume/CV: A current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
• Professional References: The names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references.
• Unofficial Transcripts: Copies of unofficial transcripts are required for the application, though official versions must be provided upon hire. Please note that copies of diplomas and academic summaries are not acceptable substitutes.
  • Foreign Credential Evaluation: For degrees earned outside the U.S., you must provide a course-by-course analysis and equivalency statement from a NACES-member agency at your own expense.

Important Note: To protect your privacy, do not include any photos, Social Security Numbers, or dates of birth in your packet. Only the most recent application will be reviewed, and all submitted materials become the property of the University of Hawai'i. Please ensure all documents are complete and legible to be considered by the search committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Inquiries:

Jane Beachy; [click to reveal email address]beachy@hawaii.edu
Jared Char; [click to reveal email address]charjared@gmail.com
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: [click to reveal website link]https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: [click to reveal website link]https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: [click to reveal website link]https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
YOUR JOB BENEFITS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I
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