Quaking Aspen Ecology Crew Lead & Technician – Summer 2020 (Tahoe Basin)

The Bisbing Forest Ecology & Silviculture Lab at UNR is hiring one crew lead and one field technician to sample quaking aspen forests in the East Lake Tahoe Basin, Nevada in summer 2019. Technicians will collect data to support forest ecology, health, and plant defensive compound research. Duties will include, but are not limited to, collecting basic forest ecology, forest health, and local environmental condition data, surveying understory plant communities, and collecting tissue samples for plant defensive compound extraction. Additional responsibilities may include data entry, data quality control, and laboratory plant sample preparation.

Preferred candidates will have previous experience working in the field, knowledge of tree measurements and forest ecosystem sampling, and the ability to live and work well with others for long hours under strenuous field conditions. Technicians should be capable of hiking long distances with a heavy pack, have the ability to work under inclement weather conditions, and be able to work collegially as part of a research team. Crew leads should have at least one summer of field technician experience. All crew members must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving a 4wd truck. Field work will involve driving on backcountry dirt roads and hiking and navigating off-trail.

The field season will run from late May or early June (dependent upon snowpack) through the end of August. Pay is $18/hour for the crew lead and $15/hr for the technician position. Camping on-site is provided as is a field vehicle for on-site work.

To apply, send one pdf document with a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to: Dr. Kellen Nelson at kellennelson@unr.edu. Review of applications will begin February 21 and continue until the positions are filled.

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