We are seeking an enthusiastic and capable field technician to assist in

research related to American pikas, alpine ecosystems, and landscape

climatology.  The selected technician will work as part of a team to travel

to remote locations across mountains of the western USA to make and record

observations of field conditions (animal presence and abundance), and retrieve,

replace, and re-deploy microclimatic sensors and .  Work will involve

strenuous hiking on rocky talus slopes, in Yellowstone and Grand Teton

National Parks, as well as across the hydrographic Great Basin of Nevada,

Oregon, and California.  Although breathtakingly scenic, accessing these

locations is physically demanding, often requiring sustained hiking

(usually 6-18 miles per day, sometimes without a marked trail) in remote,

rocky, high-elevation locations to elevations >3800 m.  Daily duties

include searching for mammals and their signs, conducting surveys on talus

and scree slopes often in early morning and late evening, identification

and measurements of shrub and tree species, and measurement of slope and

aspect, among other activities.  All field equipment and instruction in

field techniques and safety practices and training will be provided, as

will information on the research questions, rationale, and research to date.

Based in Bozeman, MT, the selected technician will be paid per diem

expenses, plus other benefits (please inquire).  Although the primary

requirement of these positions is for the collection and entry of field

data, there may be opportunities to continue involvement with this and

related research.  Position will start in mid-July, and extend through

early September.

*If interested, please express your interest in such an opportunity by

providing (concatenated into 1 file): 1) a resume or CV, 2) a cover

letter* *addressing

these qualifications and your ‘fit’ to the position, 3) unofficial

undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and 4) contact information for

three or more individuals that can verify your qualifications.*  Please

send the materials, and/or any questions, to project investigator Dr. Erik

Beever (USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center; EBeever@usgs.gov;

(406) 994-7670).  *Applications will be received on a rolling basis until

30 May 2019, after which point a decision will be made shortly. *

*Requirements:*

·   Ability to hike on rockslides with a medium to moderately heavy

backpack in rugged, high-elevation areas.

·   Familiar with navigation by maps, compass, and GPS

·   Comfortable working and camping in remote backcountry locations; solid

decision-making in these contexts

·   Critical-thinking skills, attention to detail, and positive attitude

·   Valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

·   Successfully complete a federal background check

·   Submission of transcripts with application materials

*Desirable qualifications:*

–          Experience in collection of field data, and identification of

western-USA plant species

–          Interest in ecology, wildlife, climate, physical geography, and

scientific research

–          GIS, remote sensing, statistics, wildlife biology

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