Natural Resource Scientist 2

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

May 13, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

516L-YN_CS_NPS - Natural Resource Scientist 2

Business Title:

Natural Resource Scientist 2

Employee Type:

Classified

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As the Natural Resource Scientist 2 for the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, you carry out specific and limited research objectives focused on issues affecting food‑energy‑water systems in the Pacific Northwest within the agricultural and natural resources domain. You consult with your supervisor, informed by input from internal and external stakeholders, to determine needs, goals, and objectives, and define research projects that respond to those needs. You collaborate with other research teams and partners to conduct research, including data collection, data management, and the synthesis and analysis of existing research results. You cultivate relationships with stakeholder clientele, respond to identified needs, and contribute to future proposal development. Your role includes conducting surveys, developing record‑keeping, analysis, and reporting procedures, and formulating and justifying conclusions and recommendations. You develop and edit scientific figures and communication products that support understanding of current scientific knowledge, and produce project reports, scientific publications, Extension publications, curricula, and other materials in a variety of traditional and non‑traditional formats for dissemination. You conduct literature reviews, analyze and apply related research conducted by others, and provide consultations to agricultural and natural resource managers as needed. Periodic travel within the state, region, and beyond is required.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:

• 70% Research and extension scholarship and outreach

• 25% Program coordination and reporting

• 5% Other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement. 

Monthly Salary: $5,531 to $7,443 | Range 58 Steps A - M | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science. AND Three years-professional research work experience in water and/or sustainable agriculture issues. A Master’s degree will substitute for two years and a Ph.D. degree will substitute for all of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in the specific specialty.

• Knowledge of statistical theory and techniques; logic and grammar, basic methods of problem solving; research methods; the body of knowledge relating to science communications. 

• Ability to: reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; gather and analyze data; participate in conferences and interviews; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

•  Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards. 

• Occasional regional and national travel required, including overnight.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a relevant field.

• Experience working on research, communications and extension related to agriculture, water and/or natural resource issues. 

• Familiarity with and experience working with the diverse agricultural production systems of the Pacific Northwest.

• Record of publications, including journal articles, extension publications, and/or popular media.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with peers, professionals, and the general public.

• Demonstrated interest in, and experience with, working with diverse communities on challenging and cross-cutting systems level issues.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
Department Name: Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Location: Puyallup, WA. Remote/hybrid options may be available within Washington state.

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/