Range Ecology Technician - Juniper Woodland and Steppe Ecology

Number of Positions Available: 5

Job Description: Techs work with the research scientist. Fieldwork is oriented to ecological studies with emphasis in plant succession, plant community structure and composition, and post-fire ecology. Responsibilities are to assist in the collection of field data (vegetation and soils descriptions). Field work takes up about 80% of the position responsibilities. Work is in rugged and remote areas of southeastern Oregon and southwest Idaho. Office work is mainly data entry. Laboratory work consists of biomass separation and weighing, seed cleaning and weighing, and preparation of soils for analysis.

Research projects include:

(1) Restoration of aspen and shrub steppe communities; southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho.
(2) Climate effects and long-term vegetation dynamics in big sagebrush alliances; eastern Oregon.
(3) Fire ecology in juniper woodlands and sagebrush steppe; southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho.
(4) Influence of fire and grazing on vegetation succession on sagebrush steppe.
(5) Ecological thresholds and seeding restoration following fire and juniper control.
(6) Prescribed fire applications – September (tentative)

Requirements: Undergraduates in range, soils, wildlife, or other natural resource fields preferred. Students should be familiar with computer spreadsheets. Students must be capable of hiking over steep and rough terrain and camping for up to a week at a time. Must be able to lift/pack up to 50 lbs. and able to squat/kneel for extended periods of time for sample collection. Must have valid driver’s license.

Salary and Housing: $11.30/hr, workweek is typically 40-60 hours. Overtime pay over 40 hrs. A food allowance of $15.00/day is provided when staying overnight in the field. Housing and utilities are provided at the research station at no charge.