Research Associate ; Fire Behavior Assessment Team), University of Idaho

Research Associate I (Fire Behavior Assessment Team), University of Idaho

Organization/Grantor: University of Idaho

Position/Title/Fund: Research Associate I (Fire Behavior Assessment Team)

Type/Term: Option for part or full-time

Salary: $20 - $25 per hour

Description: Position is a collaboration between the University of Idaho, the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, and National Forest System Region 5. It coordinates and leads the Fire Behavior Assessment Team (FBAT), which supports National Forest and incident command teams with pre-, active-, and post-fire monitoring on wildfires. FBAT members are on-call professionals from federal agencies and academia. Duties include office and field work, focused on 2026 fire-season monitoring in California’s Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains.

The position is full time or part time (negotiable) based in Bozeman, MT (preferred), or Moscow, , with travel to Redding, CA and wildfire assignments.

Performs research activities and analysis; implements and evaluates research procedures and data. Records observations and measurements then reports results. Responsible for analyzing and preparing results for publication. Works under general supervision with a certain degree of creativity and latitude. May supervise junior research personnel.

• Provide technical support in planning and/or designing of scientific projects, studies, or applications
• Plan and conduct research and analysis of scientific data
• Interpret test results and comparing with determined standards and limits
• Identify and evaluating scientific samples and determining need for further testing
• Develop recommendations and/or providing solutions, standards, and protocol to a wide range of difficult problems
• Plan, design, develop, monitor and/or evaluate portions of a scientific project, study, or application
• Provide scientific evaluations/assessments
• Research, implement, standardize, and evaluate new procedures
• Maintain detailed records of results and prepares written reports acceptable to the Principal Investigator and funding agencies
• Other duties as assigned

• Two years of post-bachelor’s research experience related to the domain of this position
• Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, environmental science, soils, hydrology, zoology, wildlife, resource management, forestry
• Previous or current NWCG Wildland Fire qualifications at FFT2 or above
• Valid US Driver’s License
• Wildland fire qualifications that are either current or can be renewed
• Ability to travel
• Ability to work non-standard business hours

• MSc (strongly preferred) in ecology, environmental science, soils, hydrology, zoology, wildlife, resource management, forestry, etc., with a field research component, or a BSc plus two years of additional experience in one of these fields
• Prior experience conducting statistical data analysis
• Prior experience developing written reports based on monitoring or research data
• Experience with running and developing programs in R
• Experience building electronic surveys using ESRI’s Survey
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• Experience using ArcGIS and Federal datasets and applications such as FACTs, FTEM, FVS, WFDSS, and RMA dashboard
• Facility with electronics, including ability to troubleshoot and repair measurement instruments and devices
• Experience in wildfire and/or prescribed fire operations
• Demonstrated oral, written, or audio-visual communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and within a team
• Familiarity with field-based vegetation and fuels measurements
• Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail while performing repetitive tasks