Summer Field Technician in Western Old-Growth Forests - Utah State University

Overview:

The Western Forest Initiative (WFI) seeks 4 field crew members to join our team of graduate students and scientists. These positions involve examining old growth forests for growth, mortality and recruitment, mapping down woody debris, measuring fuels, and surveying seedlings and herbaceous plants. Work begins in the Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot (Yosemite National Park, California), continues to Wind River Forest Dynamics Plot (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington), and finishes in the Utah Forest Dynamics Plot (Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah). Two lab trucks will carry gear and any technicians who do not have or do not want to bring a personal vehicle.

 

We provide campground and field station accommodations (camping at Yosemite and Cedar Breaks, field station in Wind River), and we provide work food and all group cooking gear.

 

DURATION: mid May through mid August 2023 

 

For additional information, please visit http://yfdp.org, http://wfdp.org, http://ufdp.org or contact Jim Lutz (james.lutz@usu.edu) and Soren Struckman (soren.struckman@usu.edu)

Responsibilities:

Examining old growth forests for growth, mortality and recruitment, mapping down woody debris, measuring fuels, and surveying seedlings and herbaceous plants.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualification:

• Knowledge of western flora, tree pathogens, and forest insects
• Valid Utah driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials (no recent DUI or reckless driving)

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience with outdoor living
• Experience taking vegetation data
• Experience following complex protocols

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”. Please limit resume to one or two pages.
2. Unofficial transcript(s) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
3. Contact information for three references. Please include names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
4. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.  Describe your reasons for applying and specific dates of availability including any planned mid summer absences, or a statement that you plan none. Your stated first available day should be the day you can be in Yosemite National Park.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary:$17.00 to $19.00 per hourADA:

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.  

College/Department Highlights:

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with almost $11M in research funding annually, 61 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

 

The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov