North Dakota State University is offering two technician positions that will contribute to research investigating soil nutrient cycling and plant communities in grasslands under varying land management systems in southwestern North Dakota. The positions can begin between mid-May and early June and extend through August.
Both technicians will work on the soils and vegetation components of the project, but one technician will be more focused on soil sample collection and lab analysis while the other will be more focused on vegetation and pollinator surveys.
Soils work will include, but is not limited to: in-field soil sampling and in-lab soil nutrient analysis. Applicants for the soils component should possess knowledge or interest in soil sampling techniques and soil nutrient analysis; prior experience with nutrient analysis preferred.
Vegetation work will include, but is not limited to: biomass clipping; surface and vegetative canopy composition; visual obstruction readings; pollinator surveys; and forage quality analysis preparation. Applicants for the vegetation component should possess knowledge or interest in vegetation sampling techniques and plant identification; prior experience with Northern Great Plains grassland and forage plants identification is preferred.
These full-time, seasonal positions offer compensation beginning at $12/hour, although applicant experience will be considered in the final offer. Housing at the Hettinger Research Extension Center in Hettinger, North Dakota is provided in addition to all work-related transportation at the Center. Additional travel to the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center in Streeter, ND for vegetation sampling will also be provided along with housing at the Center.
Competitive applicants for both positions will be comfortable with living and working in a rural setting. Hettinger (population ~1,200) is located in southwestern North Dakota and is roughly 70 miles south of Dickinson, ND and 140 miles southeast of Bismarck, ND. The technicians will be required to live and work amicably and near other research staff at the Center. Technicians should be comfortable working in a variety of weather conditions typical of the Northern Great Plains. Evidence of ability to work both cooperatively and independently in the field is required, A valid driver’s license is also required.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter as soon as possible expressing interest and suitability for the position along with a resume to Jonathan Spiess (jonathan.spiess@ndsu.edu), the graduate student supervisor for this project.