Seasonal Field Research Technician​/Crew Leads

Seasonal Field Research Technician/Crew Leads

Location: US-UT

Category: Research (non-Faculty)

Position Type: Non-benefited (hourly) Full-Time

Job Classification: Non-Benefited

College: Quinney College of Agric & Nat Res

Department: Wildland Resources

Advertised Salary: 16.00/hour for Crew. 18.00/hour for Crew Leads.

The Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI) is hiring 8-12 seasonal positions, including research technicians (crew) and crew leads, to assist with forest & fire ecology research projects across the state of Utah. Based out of Utah State University, UFRI seeks to collaboratively develop and deliver objective science to managers, policymakers, and communities to inform the management of healthy, fire-resilient, and climate-adapted forests and woodlands.

8-10 hour days, up to 40 hours per week. Field work will normally follow a hitch schedule; hitch lengths will vary from 4-8 day hitches, with proportional amounts of days off (4 on, 3 off; 5 on, 2 off; 8 on, 6 off).

The positions are based out of Logan, UT, and university vehicles for transportation to the field sites are provided. All travel, food, and camping costs are covered by UFRI.

Not provided: personal camping equipment (can be provided if necessary), field clothing.

Review of applications will begin 02/11/2026 and continue until all positions are filled.

Crews will work on several projects throughout the summer, including work along the Wasatch front, the Uintas, and southern Utah. Field work will consist of collecting forestry, vegetation, and environmental data, assessing fuel conditions, and doing post-fire monitoring with the possibility of working in remote, steep, and rugged terrain under variable weather conditions.

Crew leads will do all of the field work tasks that crew members do, and will also assist in coordinating day-to-day field schedules, maintain communication with project leads, and help ensure a safe, positive, and inclusive dynamic throughout the season. Crew leads and technicians with good botany skills are eligible for competitive pay. For all positions, comfort working outdoors, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn will be crucial.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in the outdoors (e.g., camping, backpacking, hiking).
• Valid driver's license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials, ability to travel away from Logan overnight for extended hitches.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree, coursework, or experience in forestry, natural resources, environmental science, or related field.
• Previous experience working on field research crews.
• Experience utilizing forestry/ecology measuring tools and techniques (e.g., plot establishment, fuel transects, cover estimates, DBH tapes).
• Experience using navigation tools (GPS, compass).
• Data entry/management.
• Wilderness First Aid/First Responder Certification (WFA, WFR).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Enthusiasm, positive attitude, and willingness to learn.
• Effective communication skills, ability to work in teams, respect for fellow crew members.
• Familiarity with and proficiency in identifying plants found throughout Utah (e.g., Great Basin, mixed-conifer, and pinyon-juniper woodland habitats).

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
• Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application. Please describe your interest in working for UFRI and which position you are applying to (technician or crew lead).

Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

ADA

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Incumbents should have ability & desire to work outdoors in a variety of conditions and carry a 30-lb pack across steep/rugged terrain. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time.

Utah State University is a land-grant, public research university. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders and to address critical societal challenges. USU enrolls thousands of students across multiple campuses.

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