Summer botany position at Indiana Dunes National Park

We are seeking an applicant for a summer Botany position at Indiana Dunes National Park, centered around Porter, Indiana. The position runs from June 8, 2023 to August 24, 2023 (dates are firm), with a compensation of approximately $20.75/hour.

The incumbent will be employed by the University of Minnesota, but will work directly with, and report to, the Great Lakes Network of the National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) program. The goals of the I&M program include monitoring key environmental variables so that ecological change can be detected and addressed in a timely manner.

This is largely a field-based position. The incumbent will assist with the sampling of permanent forest monitoring plots at Indiana Dunes National Park around Porter, Indiana. The incumbent will collect extensive data on the herbaceous layer and browse. They will be expected to identify at least 350 herbaceous species, and have considerable experience identifying members of the family Poaceae and genus Carex. Field work will be performed in teams of 2-3 people, and the incumbent will act as a crew leader. The incumbent may also spend approximately 5-10% of time performing computer work.

This position operates on an 8-day on/6-day off schedule. During the 8-day sampling periods, incumbent will be expected to carry field equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. They will be exposed to high temperatures, stinging and biting insects, including thick mosquitoes, and poisonous plants. Hikes to and from plots will be as long as one mile, each direction.

The incumbents are responsible for securing and paying for their own housing in Porter, IN, or the nearby area.

Note on COVID: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment or complete a request for an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, detailed resume (no page limit), professional references, and unofficial transcripts to Suzanne Sanders (suzanne_sanders@nps.gov) by January 22, 2023. Include a phone number and email address that you check regularly. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by telephone in late January or early February. No phone calls or emails, other than applications, please. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

Amphibian Research Technicians Needed

EASTERN ECOLOGICAL SCIENCE CENTER AT PATUXENT WILDLIFE RESEARCH REFUGE AND S.O. CONTE ANADROMOUS FISH RESEARCH LAB (Turners Falls, MA & Laurel, MD)

Only applicants who are current or recent students (graduated no earlier than May 2022) are eligible for these positions.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative in the Northeast region will be hiring 6-8 student or recent graduate contractors as field research technicians in 2023. Field work will be based out of separate duty stations located in Maryland and Massachusetts. The technicians at both duty stations will work as part of a team that surveys for amphibians within National Parks, Refuges, Forests, and other protected areas, including work in the mountains of Shenandoah National Park. Surveys will include wetland-associated amphibians as well as stream salamander and terrestrial salamander populations. Maryland technicians will be hired to work from March-October and conduct surveys primarily in MD, VA, and the District of Columbia. Massachusetts technicians will be hired to work from April-September and conduct surveys primarily throughout the states of MA, NY, NH, VT, CT, and RI.

Applicants must be willing to do 8-10-day long camping trips for amphibian surveys in other parts of the region (which includes ME, NH, VT, NY, CT, RI, PA, DE, VA, WV, NJ) as a part of a range-mapping effort. Camp sites and survey locations could be in locations with limited to no cell service.

Field work involves identifying, catching, measuring, and marking amphibians, as well as collecting water quality and environmental data. All work is outdoors, often under harsh or hot conditions or in rain, sleet, hail, and snow. All field work will be conducted as part of teams of 2-4 people, so a demonstrated ability and desire to work effectively with a group is imperative.

The position requires previous completion of academic coursework or work experience related to wildlife biology, as well as experience working in groups. It is preferred that applicants have prior field experience with amphibians and in the survey techniques involved in this position, including visual encounter surveys, dip-netting, stream transect cover searches, temporary removal sampling, terrestrial cover sampling, and marking animals with visible implant elastomer. The position will require the use of GPS units, pH/conductivity meters, passive integrated transponder (PIT) equipment, and computer software for data entry (e.g., Microsoft Excel, web-based database), and prior experience with these technologies is preferred. Technicians may also be asked to euthanize animals if voucher specimens related to amphibian disease studies are necessary.

The technicians need to be in good physical condition, as the job requires long hours in the field (including some night-time surveys) and hiking with heavy equipment, up to 45 pounds on some occasions. Hiking in mountainous areas will be conducted off-trail in remote areas on rocky, steep terrain and often for extended periods of time (10-12 hours).

Technicians must be able to work at least 40 hours per week and have flexibility in their schedules to accommodate longer days when necessary. Applicants must be willing to keep a flexible schedule, as hours will depend on weather, refuge/park access and staff availability, and other factors that may not be known in advance. Technicians are responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the duty station. A valid state driver’s license is required. Government vehicles will be provided, for field work initiated from the duty station. Housing costs are not included, but some housing may be available on the Patuxent Research Refuge. Every attempt will be made to assist technicians in finding affordable housing in the area. Approximate wages are $16.80/hour; overtime rates are not provided but technicians can be compensated for all hours worked.

We encourage applications from members of traditionally under-represented populations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, such as women and minority racial or ethnic groups to apply. The USGS cannot and will not tolerate discrimination and all those who seek to participate in USGS programs, activities, and services will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sex stereotyping, gender identity, gender expression, or transgender status), national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, protected genetic information, status as a parent, marital status, or political affiliation. In addition, the USGS will not tolerate any type of harassment, either sexual or nonsexual.

Principal Duty Stations:

Eastern Ecological Science Center at SO Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab

1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA 01376

Eastern Ecological Science Center at Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge

12100 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. To apply, email the following to Maddie Chartier (mchartier@contractor.usgs.gov) by no later than December 22nd, 2022:

1) Letter of intent (please specify the time period in which you will be able to commit to this position and your duty station [MA or MD] preference)

2) Resume, including previous field experience, list of relevant course-work, contact information, and two or three reference contacts

3) One piece of evidence of current or recent enrollment in degree-seeking program (e.g., unofficial transcript, enrollment verification, a current registration card). Candidates who graduated prior to May 2022 are ineligible.

Evan H. Campbell Grant, PhD

NE Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative: USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center

S.O. Conte Research Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls MA 01376

The Great Basin Institute is hiring crew members and crew leads for a cooperative partnership with National Park Service Klamath Network (KLMN) Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) program. The overall objective is to perform Vegetation Community monitoring in Klamath Network parks. Data collected will contribute to a multi-year dataset aimed at detecting changes in status and trends in park vegetation. Products from this effort are intended to provide decision-makers with data indicating change in status and trends of vegetation communities. The Crew Leads will also assist the KLMN Vegetation Ecologist with implementing the Vegetation Monitoring protocol and provide day-to-day oversight of workflow and data collection. Training and oversight will be provided for all duties. Specific duties include:

Be a member of the KLMN I&M Vegetation Community monitoring field crew;

Participate in preparing for the field season;

Properly identify vascular plant species and utilizes dichotomous keys;

Estimate cover of vascular plants;

Collect and prepares voucher specimens of difficult taxa for later identification;

Collect Tree DBH, Height, Height to Crown data;

Collect dead and down fuel data;

Assists with field data collection, data entry, and QA/QC;

Maintain field equipment and tools;

Participate in GBI or partner-sponsored training opportunities;

Additional Duties for Biotech Crew Lead:

Communicates regularly with supervisor to provide updates, prioritize work, and address issues;

Supports work schedule development and logistics;

Serves as Crew Leader and supervises Biotech Crew Members in the performance of assigned tasks;

Monitors site specific conditions, mitigates risk factors, and reports safety concerns to supervisor.

General field duties include walking long distances over uneven terrain, off-trail, often in dense vegetation; navigating off-trail with map compass and GPS; relocating monitoring sites; collecting vegetation and fuels data using established procedures; taking photos at each site; ensuring the consistency of data quality during the field season; and maintaining safety awareness and practices. The successful applicant must have strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and exhibit strong leadership and organization skills. Office tasks are only about 5% of work but include data organization, processing and QA/QC; and compiling concise field notes. This position will require regular overnight travel and camping during the field season. The field schedule is an 8 day on 6 day off hitch, requiring long hours (10+ hrs a day), including early mornings and some weekends.

The Klamath Network conducts long term monitoring at 6 parks: Crater Lake National Park (Crater Lake), Lava Beds National Monument (Lava Beds), Lassen Volcanic National Monument (Lassen), Oregon Caves National Monument and Reserve (Oregon Caves), Redwood National and State Parks (Redwood), and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (Whiskeytown), located throughout northern California and southern Oregon. The parks span a land area of complex topography in the geologically ancient Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion in the west (containing Redwood, Oregon Caves and Whiskeytown), and the younger, volcanic Cascades-Modoc Ecoregion to the east (containing Crater Lake, Lassen and Lava Beds). Vegetation of the two subregions ranges from temperate rainforests with enormous, world-record-height trees along the coast at Redwood, to barren shrublands on infertile soils and rock in the sagebrush desert of Lava Beds. Elevation extends from sea level at Redwood, to above timberline in Crater Lake and Lassen. Floristically, the parks capture elements of the southern Oregon and northern California Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, and Great Basin, all near the northern end of the California Floristic Province.

Contract Timeline:

o Start early April 2023

o For 24 weeks

o Full time, 80 hours per pay period

Compensation and Benefits:

o Rate of Pay: $22.50/hour

o Camping per diem: $30.00/night (~4 nights per week during data collection)

o Benefits: Paid health insurance (medical, dental and vision)

o Paid holidays and personal leave

Job Qualifications:

o Undergraduate or Graduate degree in Botany, Ecology, or a closely related field in the biological sciences;

o Coursework in plant taxonomy and/or systematics (transcripts may be requested), botany, or forestry;

o Ability to identify native and non-native plants of the Pacific Northwest and/or Great Basin;

o Familiarity with ecological processes, and flora of the Pacific Northwest and/or Great Basin;

o Experience in performing field work, and applying methodological protocols for collecting data;

o Experience training and leading others in field data collection;

o Experience with data entry and data management;

o Ability to work and camp in extreme and remote areas;

o Experience using hand-held GPS for navigation;

o Experience with tablet data collection and experience with MS Access or other database;

o Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;

o Willingness and ability to work long days (10+hrs), hike long distances (10-12 miles) carrying 30-40 pounds, and lift, carry and use equipment in harsh, variable weather conditions, including in rain, hail, wind, and extreme heat;

o Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;

o Experience working with federal land management agencies, members of the public, or non- profit organizations; and

o Willingness to work a variable schedule, but mostly 8 days on 6 days off, including some

weekends.

Applicant must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation or submit paperwork to National Park Service human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position.

Additional requirements:

o Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;

o Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, particularly with unimproved roads;

o Possess a commitment to personal and team member safety, and communicate perceived safety threats immediately;

o Ability to work independently to accomplish goals;

o Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public;

o Possess good organizational skills;

o Possess a favorably adjudicated background clearance

o Must be motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail oriented in order to balance multiple tasks simultaneously; and

o Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of GBI and the goals of the USFWS.

Full Listing:

https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/Careers.aspx?req=2022-RAP-154&type=JOBDESCR

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

North Biological Monitoring Unit

Brainerd, MN

We are looking for biologists to lead and assist with aquatic biomonitoring surveys on rivers and streams in northern Minnesota, during the summer and early fall of 2023.

Job duties include:

Lead a crew of 1-4 students to sample approximately 50 stream biomonitoring sites for fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, habitat measurements, and water chemistry in order to assess water quality and habitat conditions.

Help maintain field equipment, train students, and keep field records. Enter and manage data on Agency computers

Compile summary data and conduct QA/QC.

Preferred qualifications include:

Field experience sampling fish, invertebrates using MPCA standard operating procedures

Course work in ichthyology, fisheries science, aquatic invertebrates, water chemistry or habitat.

Leadership experience in prior work, civic or school projects

Familiarity with biological indicators of water quality

Experience and/or course work using GPS and GIS equipment and software

The position requires extensive travel across northern Minnesota and the willingness to stay overnight (in hotels) for up to three nights per week. The work may be carried out in remote areas, in inclement weather, and can be physically-demanding at times. Candidates must be able to work well with others in small- and medium-sized field crews.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in water related science or environmental protection, or related field. OR a technical environmental degree (e.g., Natural Resources Technology A.A.S.) AND one year of technical/professional-level environmental protection experience; OR two years of technical/professional-level environmental protection experience. Applicants must pass a fish identification test and possess a valid driver’s license.

Pay rate:

$21.43 /hourly

Motel lodging provided during work week, plus meal expense reimbursement.

Work hours are typically Monday-Thursday 10 hours per day with overnight travel.

Start/End Dates:

May through September, 2023

Location:

The position will be based in Brainerd, but will require extensive travel throughout northern Minnesota (see above for more details regarding work-related travel).  Brainerd is located just north of the geographical center of Minnesota

Full Listing:

https://careers.mn.gov/psc/mnjob/MNCAREERS/HRCR/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U

Applications accepted through January 13, 2023.

About Us: The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), a non-profit organization, has been actively engaged in the conservation of native species and habitats through restoration, research, and education for over 20 years. We fill a unique niche in this field by working with a diverse group of partners including federal, state and county agencies and municipalities to accomplish our mission. Our Southwest Office (IAE SW) works in New Mexico and Arizona. We cultivate partnerships to facilitate large-scale, regional conservation projects, develop ecologically appropriate sources of native seed, offer native species education opportunities and materials, provide technical assistance to restoration and management planning and implementation, and conduct on-the ground habitat restoration and applied research

START DATE: April 2023

END DATE: October 2023

LOCATION: Santa Fe, NM

Compensation:

$18.50/hr, plus travel expenses associated with overnight field work (food and lodging). No

additional benefits included. These are full-time temporary positions with paid holidays and sick

leave.

Position Description: Crew members will work with a crew lead for the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Rare Plant Monitoring Initiative, operated by the Institute for Applied Ecology. More information about New Mexico’s rare plants can be found here. The crew will consist of three individuals: two crew members and one crew lead. They will monitor demography of rare plants on BLM lands across NM following established protocols, particularly in areas where multipleuse land management (i.e. energy extraction) impacts on rare plants are expected. Crews will be required to drive to remote areas throughout New Mexico, camp overnight for 2-7 consecutive days, hike up to several miles a day, and return to the office for equipment and data management. While rare plant inventories are the focus, where possible, crews will assist with other plant conservation program projects in progress during the summer. Projects may include native seed collection, pollinator monitoring, floristic diversity surveys and native plant restoration. This is a full-time, temporary position that requires overnight camping and non-traditional work hours inclusive of weekend and evening hours.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Valid US driver’s license and driving record in good standing

● Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after initial

training period; must be capable of performing well in an office setting, as well as the

field

● Willingness to spend multiple days (1-8 days at a time) car-camping in remote areas;

familiarity or willingness to learn and adhere to best practices for field safety and Leave

No Trace principles

● Ability to work in and respond to adverse field conditions which may include extreme

heat and sun exposure, monsoonal rains, flash flooding, lightning, and hazardous wildlife

(i.e. rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears)

● Experience working as part of a small team and ability to work well with others

● Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, in remote areas on

unimproved roads and driving for extended periods of time

● Familiarity with basic plant taxonomy, including major families and botanical vocabulary

Preferred Skills:

● Current CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, or Defensive Driver Training certificates

● 1 to 2 years of experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants to species in the field,

from photos, and from pressed specimens

● Experience with ArcGIS tablet applications (Collector and Survey123)

● Coursework in botany, plant ecology, plant biology, plant systematics, ecology

● Knowledge of New Mexico plant communities

● Experience collecting data for plant and/or animal monitoring programs

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit the following as a single pdf:

o Brief cover letter describing your interest in the position and stating when you would be

available to start work.

o Resume identifying any relevant experience (paid or unpaid)

o Contact information (phone and email) for 2-3 professional references (including past

employers/supervisors).

Email application materials to swjobs@appliedeco.org with subject line “Southwest Rare

Plants-Technician” no later than Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

SMITHSONIAN GRASSLAND BIRD ECOLOGY INTERNSHIP

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is offering internship opportunities with our Northern Great Plains Program based at American Prairie in the grasslands of northeast Montana. Our research program is focused on understanding interactions between grassland keystone species (bison & prairie dogs) and grassland birds of conservation concern.

Work will be focused on two separate projects and interns will primarily work on one of these:

1) Grassland songbird breeding biology and demography on and off Black-tailed Prairie Dog colonies.

2) Using the MOTUS animal tracking system to understand migratory ecology and demography of Sprague’s Pipit.

Interns will also have the opportunity to work on a secondary projects occurring in the same ecosystem: Long-billed Curlew nesting success, behavioral ecology, and movement ecology in relation to Black-tailed Prairie Dog colonies.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for recent BS/BA graduates considering graduate school in wildlife biology or ecology & evolutionary biology. Smithsonian mentors/supervisors can and will spend time assisting interns with navigating the grad school application process and creating an independent research project.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a paid internship opportunity wherein the intern will support research led by Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center staff and fellows.

Through this internship, interns will:

• Learn shorebird and songbird nest-searching techniques.
• Learn songbird handling and Motus tagging techniques.
• Gain experience with grassland bird species native to mixed-grass prairie ecosystems.
• Learn vegetation survey and arthropod sampling techniques.
• Gain experience with behavioral ecology experiments on simulated predator responses.
• Learn to develop a scientifically sound independent research project.
• Gain experience navigating a large, remote landscape with 4×4 vehicles and on foot.
• Learn to collect ecological data and complete tasks efficiently as part of a small team.
• Learn to compile and review ecological data in standard formats.

LOCATION: Phillips & Blaine Counties/American Prairie region in northeastern Montana (nearest town Malta, Montana)

COMPENSATION: $1,600 – $1,800/month

HOUSING: Interns will be housed at no cost in buildings with standard amenities including hot water, full kitchens, and wireless Internet. Interns are responsible for purchase of their own food.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: May 1- August 1. Interns must commit to the entire season, although some flexibility on start date is available for graduating seniors.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Jan 31, 2022

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and CV/resume to Dr. Andy J Boyce at Boycea@SI.edu. Your email subject must include Grassland Bird Internship 2023 or it will not be considered. International candidates are encouraged to apply, but must be responsible for travel expenses.

WORK ETHOS: We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone in the field, and we place a premium on the physical and mental health of all crew members when working in a remote environment. We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to harassment or discrimination.

COVID Compliance: Please note that the Smithsonian Institution has a mandate requiring all employees and interns to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of location or arrangement (e.g., onsite, virtual, remote, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination during onboarding.

Job Description:

Research technicians will work closely under the supervision of a researcher from the Bisbing lab to sample a long-term provenance trial (i.e., baby tree garden) at multiple locations throughout the Sierra Nevada. Duties include: measuring seedling survival and growth, downloading weather station and temperature logger data, weeding or grubbing gardens, and conducting repeated measurements of planting site climatic conditions. The field technician(s) will be responsible for maintaining equipment/tools as well as regularly entering, quality checking, and uploading data. Field work will include hiking long distances with a heavy pack and potentially working during inclement weather.

The field season will run for~16 consecutive weeks from early/mid-April(snowpack dependent) through the end of October. Possibility to extend work through November (weather dependent) exists. Please specify whether you are interested in a technician position ($17/hour) or crew lead ($21/hour). Crew leads should have at least one summer of field technician experience and will be held to a higher standard of leadership, responsibility, and expertise. Housing (i.e., barracks) is provided at few sites, with tent camping necessary at some locations. A field vehicle is provided for on-site work. This crew will continually rotate between locations and should expect to change sites weekly.

Ideal candidates will have a strong ability to solve problems that arise in the field and the constitution to both act independently and work well as part of a field team.

Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications

– Hold a valid driver’s license

– Be comfortable driving a 4WD vehicle on remote forest roads

– Be able to hike long distances while carrying a heavy pack(> 35lbs)

Preferred qualifications

– Previous ecology-related field experience

– Knowledge of tree measurements and forest ecosystem sampling

– Chainsaw experience

– Capacity and eagerness for manual labor (lift, saw, dig, etc.), as needed

How to Apply:

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references compiled into a single PDF to: adaptiveforestmanagement@gmail.com.

Position Description:

We are seeking two motivated individuals to investigate the impacts of restored disturbance regimes plant communities, and invasive grasses (especially Kentucky Bluegrass). The people selected will work with a team of graduate students and other technicians to monitor the plant communities at the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center. Duties will focus on vegetation and soils data collection which includes but is not limited to, collecting data on species composition, water and nutrient cycling, soil health characteristics, and experimental plot setup. Other responsibilities will include data entry and sample preparation in the laboratory.

About Central Grasslands Research Extension Center:

Central Grasslands Research Extension Center is located in south-central North Dakota in the Missouri Coteau. The Center has 10 full-time research scientists and staff studying areas including range science, forage, agronomy, and animal science. The station was created to address the following research priority areas: 1) range ecology and grazing management; 2) forage systems; 3) livestock nutrition, and 4) reproductive efficiency. To accomplish these objectives, the Center manages approximately 1300 beef animals yearly, including 400 to 425 breeding females. The land base for these operations includes 5335 acres, of which the majority is native and improved pasture.

The location of the Research Extension Center offers outstanding opportunities to enjoy a rural lifestyle in a supportive community environment. Outdoor recreational activities in this area include outstanding waterfowl and upland game hunting for sportsmen, easy access to lakes for fishing, white-tailed deer hunting, and an excellent environment for birding, hiking, biking, boating, and other activities

Preferred Qualifications

This includes, but is not limited to the following:

• An interest in range ecology, and/or plant ecology, and/or livestock systems;
• A working knowledge of plant identification is preferred, but not necessary;
• A willingness to learn and work in a variety of environments and field conditions;
• Detail-oriented; tolerance of repetitive and mindless work;
• Experience with data management software, such as Microsoft Excel;
• Capable of working with limited supervision or as a member of a team;
• Valid driver’s license

Pay:

These positions pay between $13-15/hour depending on experience. These positions are 40 hours per week appointments with the opportunity to work overtime. On-site housing is provided.

Start dates are ultimately flexible, but ideally, one position would start in mid-to-late April with the other starting in mid-to-late May.

To apply:

Submit one document that includes: 1) a cover letter discussing your qualifications and future goals, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for three professional references to Esben Kjaer (esben.kjaer@ndsu.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and will conclude when positions are filled.

Biodiversity Survey Field Technicians – Oregon State University

DESCRIPTION

Seasonal field technicians are needed late April – August to help collect biodiversity data on the Elliott State Forest near Reedsport, Oregon. The crew will be provided field housing on/near the central Oregon coast and will work a 4-10 schedule Mon.-Thurs., often camping on the forest (camping gear will be provided). Pay is $15.50 hourly plus overtime. This is a great opportunity to learn survey methods for a variety of taxa including invertebrate trapping, baited and unbaited trail cameras, acoustic and ultrasonic recording units, vegetation surveys, tree coring, and soil coring. Technicians will need to drive unimproved forest roads near active logging, camp in backcountry areas, conduct biodiversity surveys in a detail-oriented and accurate manner, communicate and work effectively in a team, use good judgement to complete surveys safely and efficiently, and hike on and off-trail up to 8 miles per day while carrying up to 40 lbs of gear in steep, loose, densely vegetated terrain. No prior experience is necessary as technicians will receive thorough training on methods and safety, but an ability and willingness to do physically and mentally demanding work in a safe manner is required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are the ability to work in the U.S., the physical ability to complete the above tasks, the mental ability to do rigorous work in inclement conditions, and the ability and willingness to work safely and effectively in a crew.

Preferred qualifications are a valid driver’s license and clean driving record, field experience in mountainous terrain and the backcountry, experience following scientific protocols, experience as a member of a crew or team, and education or interest in ecology, biodiversity, or forest management.

TO APPLY

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references in a single PDF named LastName_FirstName_ESRFapplicant2022.pdf to Maggie Hallerud (hallerum@oregonstate.edu)

The Plant Ecology and Molecular Ecology Laboratories at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center conduct an extensive research program on a wide range of topics related to plant ecology.  Most of the projects are based at SERC, which offers a variety of terrestrial and wetlands habitat types to study plant ecological issues. Plant and Molecular Ecology projects typically involve a range of approaches from data gathering from published materials to designing and conducting field and laboratory projects.  Fieldwork typically involves sampling soil, individual plants or setting up plots in which data on plants is collected.  Laboratory experiments typically involve DNA extraction and subsequent archiving.  Plant and soil samples that are collected in the field are typically freeze dried and prepared for molecular analysis. Laboratory techniques typically involve DNA extraction, quantification, PCR amplification, and subsequent analysis using electrophoresis gels, microsatellite analysis, or DNA sequencing. In all cases, careful notes on field and laboratory activities are required.

Internship Project

This specific internship project focuses on understanding the mycorrhizal ecology of orchids and their role in stress tolerance. The project will involve fieldwork in multiple sites and molecular analyses of plant and soil samples. The intern will collect soil and plant samples from multiple sites, conduct herbaceous plant surveys, examine structures of underground plant parts, and perform molecular analyses using the collected plant and soil samples. The main objective is to determine whether there are differences in the function of orchid mycorrhizal fungi in stressful, compared to benign, environments. The intern will also be involved with other related research projects. We anticipate that the intern will divide their time approximately equally between the field and laboratory analysis components.

Learning Objectives of the Internship

The intern will have the opportunity to interact with technicians, postdocs, and senior scientists.

  *   The intern will be taught techniques related to their internship project including study design, field sample and data collection, data entry, data verification, and analysis.

  *   The intern will also learn laboratory techniques for DNA extraction and analysis.

  *   The intern will summarize his/her accomplishments in a seminar at the end of the project period under the supervision of lab scientists.

  *   The intern will gain professional development by attending seminars and journal clubs and interacting with other scientists.

Please provide copy of resume and letter of interest to Dr. Melissa McCormick, mccormickm@si.edu

Weekly stipend of $625 and on-campus housing available

Proposed start date of Feb/March to May 2023

Application deadline is December 15th

For any questions about internship, please contact Dr. Melissa McCormick (McCormickM@si.edu) or Dr. Dennis Whigham (WhighamD@si.edu)

For questions about internships at SERC, please contact Dan Gustafson (GustafsonD@si.edu)