USGS looking for lead scientist for California Delta

Overview

The U.S. Geological Survey and the California Delta Stewardship Council are seeking an internationally recognized aquatic or ecosystem scientist to become the next Lead Scientist of the Delta Science Program. The position closes on June 17th.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of the Delta Science Program according to its mission and objectives. In carrying out that responsibility, the Lead Scientist develops science agendas for the Science Program and regularly consults with the agencies participating in the program.


• Serve as the principal liaison between the Science Program, the Delta Independent Science Board and the Delta Stewardship Council (Council).


• Serve as the principal science advisor to the Council and actively participate in providing high-level technical advice on complex and controversial Bay-Delta ecosystem issues.


• Oversees the independent scientific review of key scientific issues relevant to state, federal and stakeholder proposals for activities in the Delta. Work with regional partners to identify opportunities for the Science Program to coordinate scientific reviews.


• Synthesize and summarize research related to the Bay-Delta.


• Prepare scientific papers, memorandums and reports on complex and controversial technical issues in the Bay-Delta for science-based management.


• Promotes the use of integrated science in long range Bay-Delta planning and restoration to top level state and regional federal staff and legislators.


• Plans and directs the Science Programs’ research grant and fellowship programs.

Context

The California Delta (part of the San Francisco Estuary) and the Delta Science Program are, in my mind, “ground zero” for social-ecological investigations and solutions. To get a taste for this you can visit the website of the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC).

I think the concept of resilience is very relevant in this system. It does show up here and there in the long-term, comprehensive “Delta Plan” that’s now under development by the DSC (see the website), but in my opinion it deserves much more scientific attention and public discussion and consideration, as do most social and many ecological aspects of the social-ecological system that is the California Delta. It is my personal hope that the next Delta Lead Scientist will take a leading role in this.

A progress report released last year (pdf) by the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) discusses resilience and a regime shift which may have recently occurred in the Delta.