Field Ecology Research Assistant

Job Title:

Field Ecology Research Assistant

Job Summary:

Prof. Naupaka Zimmerman in the USF Biology Department is seeking to hire two field ecology research assistants (RAs) for a three-week field work campaign to be conducted during the summer of 2024. This research is part of a National Science Foundation funded project looking at soil carbon dioxide fluxes at National Ecological Observatory Network sites in Wisconsin (University of Notre Dame Field Station), North Dakota (Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge), and Kansas (Konza Prairie). RAs will travel with Prof. Zimmerman to field sites to collect data using infrared gas analyzer instrumentation, spending one week at each of the three sites.

Full Job Description:

• Primary Responsibilities:

  • Assist in collection of soil carbon dioxide flux data from each field site.
  • Assist in transporting and setting up instrumentation at the beginning of each day and transporting it back to lodging at the end of each day.
  • Contribute to driving the rented field vehicle to each site and between sites.

• Additional Expectations:

  • Engage intellectually with the research being done; be inquisitive and ask questions to learn about the approaches and techniques being used.
  • Maintain appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors.

• Qualifications:

  • Applicants should be USF undergraduates with an interest in ecology or the environmental sciences. They should be comfortable working long days in field conditions and willing to learn about how scientific data is collected in different ecosystems.

  • Requirements:

    • Must be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

    • Must be certified or be willing to get certified as an official USF driver prior to job start date.

    • Must be at least 20 years of age by job start date.

    • Must possess a valid driver's license issued from the US or US territories.

    • Must have at least one (1) year of driving experience, either in the US or internationally.

    • Must have no major violations in the last three (3) years. Major violations include, but are not limited to: DUI, vehicular homicide, reckless driving, drugs, leaving the scene.

    • Must complete online driver safety training and submit a certificate of completion.

    • Must be comfortable driving large vehicles (e.g. a large SUV) on unpaved roads.

    • Must have a personal credit card (to be added as an additional driver to the rental vehicle)

    • Additional Information About Being a Student Driver:

      • The University reserves the right to decline authorization of any driver on the basis of an individual’s traffic violation history or accident history. Motor Vehicle Records are reviewed annually. If an authorized driver receives a major violation while driving on USF business, they must inform their supervisor immediately as this may impact driving status. Any violation of these guidelines will be cause for review of one's driving record and/or revocation of University driving privileges. For more detailed information about driving for the University of San Francisco please visit: https://myusf.usfca.edu/risk/driver

• Preferred qualifications:

  • Have taken Ecology or an upper-division field course.

• Time Commitment and Compensation:

  • The three week duration of the field work will be from 5/19/2024 through to 6/9/2024, which will include flying from SFO to Minneapolis, MN. RAs will be paid for 35 hours a week for the three weeks of field work at $18.07 per hour. Round-trip airfare, lodging, and food expenses will be covered for the duration of the field work. Please note all compensation is taxable.

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Part time

Pay Rate:

Hourly

Salary Range :

$18.07/hour