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 surveys.

Soils work will include, but is not limited to: in-field soil sampling,

litter decomposition bags, 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; 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.

Jonathan Spiess

PhD Student – Natural Resource Management

North Dakota State University

jonathan.spiess@ndsu.edu

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