Field Tech - Malheur National Forest

Position Information

Job Title
:
Field Tech - Malheur National Forest

Appointment Type
:
Appointment Type Student Employee

Job Location
:
Burns

Position Appointment Percent
: 100

Appointment Basis
: 12

Pay Method
:
Hourly

Pay Period
: 16th - 15th of the following month

Pay Date
:
Last working day of the month

This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Field Technicians for the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU).

This position will support field data collection associated with research and vegetation monitoring studies in dry forest types of eastern Oregon in collaboration with the Malheur National Forest and the Southern Blues Restoration Coalition. The goal of this multi-party monitoring program is to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration treatments, inform adaptive management strategies, and develop social acceptance of restoration strategies in dry forest types of eastern Oregon.

The data from this project is used to evaluate the effects of forest restoration, vegetation management, fuels treatments, prescribed burns, and wildfires on understory plant composition, surface fuels, and overstory structure and composition.

These positions will support ongoing field data collection associated with research and monitoring studies in dry forest types of eastern Oregon. The technicians will assist crew leaders with tree and vegetation measurements, data recording, data management, and plot location.

Transferable Skill Development

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:

Communication, Critical Thinking, and Teamwork.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Two years of college-level courses in forestry, natural resources or closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Must possess good interpersonal skills, be able to work independently for long hours outdoors, and as part of a team.
• Must possess a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders from various backgrounds.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

• Experience with plant identification techniques.
• Experience with forest inventory and tree identification in eastern Oregon, including experience identifying tree mortality agents.
• Experience with the Southern Blues Forest Partnership monitoring protocols or similar monitoring protocols such as the common stand exam.
• Experience with semi-arid forest ecosystems with a history of frequent fire, including the ability to identify relevant understory herbaceous and woody vegetation.
• Experience with field work under strenuous conditions.
• Experience with GPS, aerial photographs, and map navigation.

• These positions require the ability to work long hours outdoors in all weather conditions in a remote forested environment. The ability to traverse steep, rugged, and/or uneven terrain is required. Employees must take care not to substantially damage or influence plants or trees while conducting work.
• The anticipated required work schedule will be 8 days on and 6 days off for 12-14 weeks of the summer.
• L…