Biological Science Research Technician 2: Vegetation Field Ecology Crew Lead

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: 28 days ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 10 Apr 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Department INR-Or Biodvrsty InfoCtr (RNR)
Classification Title Bio Science Research Tech 2
Job Title Biological Science Research Technician 2: Vegetation Field Ecology Crew Lead
Appointment Type Classified Staff
Job Location Corvallis
Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Employment Category Seasonal
Job Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill 8-12 full-time, seasonal (April – August) Biological Science Research Technician 2 positions for the Institute of Natural Resources at Oregon State University (OSU).
Please be sure to enter all relevant employment and volunteer experience in the itemized employment experience section as that is how you will be evaluated for minimum qualifications and salary level.
This posting will be used to hire numerous Vegetation Field Ecology Crew Leads for sampling in the 2024 field season.
The positions are seasonal (~4.5 month) positions to collect Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) data on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) across eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, northern Nevada, and northern California. INR will have numerous crews working across these areas, but the majority of plots will be SE Oregon (about 70%), with the remaining 10% in Washington and 20% in northern California and Nevada. Generally, individuals will be on a crew that is focused in one BLM district for the season, so that they can become familiar with the plants and geography of that area. Sometimes, particularly later in the season, crews may move around depending on project needs.
Data collected using the AIM strategy is used for land health monitoring to document the condition and changes of plant communities in the context of BLM management actions including grazing, burned area rehabilitation, and greater sage-grouse and other wildlife management. These data can be used by land managers to inform future management actions, monitor treatment effectiveness, and observe trends in the condition of public lands. The data also becomes publicly available for download. To learn more about the BLM’s AIM strategy, visit https://www.blm.gov/aim
This work involves following standardized protocols for vegetation sampling, plant identification, and digging and describing soil pits. Knowledge of native plants, sagebrush steppe, and field sampling methods are needed for crew lead positions. The crew leads need to manage the daily activities of a two-person crew while they complete the assigned plots. This includes ensuring that all of the data has been collected on the plot, managing datasheets and digital survey forms, and managing unknown plants. Each two-person crew meets every night with another two-person crew on a two-crew team. The more experienced crew lead acts as the team lead with ultimate decision-making responsibility but both crew leads need to work together and coordinate on logistics and hitch plans. For the team lead, and crew member positions, please see the associated BSRT 3 and 1 positions.
The position is entirely field based, with crews working a Wednesday-Wednesday hitch schedule (hitch 1 will be May 1-8) following a week-long mandatory training at the beginning of the season (April 18-19 online and April 22-26 in-person in Prineville, OR). On the first and last days of the hitch, crew members drive from their homes to the field sites in OSU vehicles. This allows crew members some flexibility in where they can live, but crews must be based within a reasonable driving distance of the sampling areas. In past seasons, crews have been based in western Oregon (such as Corvallis, Portland, and Eugene), central Oregon (such as Redmond or Bend), or central Washington (for crews based in Washington). Housing is not provided for this position, but a generous per diem is provided for food and camping while on hitch.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
65% – Collect BLM Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) program soils and vegetation data using AIM protocols in the field and lead one crew in collecting this data.
15% – Work with INR Data Management Staff to ensure the AIM data gets needed QA-QC and is incorporated into needed databases and provided to the BLM.
10% – Drive throughout field area and navigate with maps and GPS to unique or typical habitats or preselected points.
10% – Hike to off-road sites, identify plants and plant communities.
What We Require

Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
What You Will Need
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
What We Would Like You to Have
  • Coursework in botany, ecology, range science, field methods, soil science or plant identification classes or enrollment in a degree program in the biological sciences.
  • Familiarity with computers, tablets, and software. Specifically, knowledge of ArcGIS Field Maps, Collector, Survey123, or other database management software is desired, with the ability to learn essential.
  • Knowledge of survey and monitoring methods, such as line point intercept (LPI), species inventories, etc.
  • Knowledge and experience using dichotomous keys to identify plants.
  • Experience working in sagebrush steppe, grassland, and juniper woodland ecosystems.
  • Experience classifying and describing soils.
  • Experience dry camping or backpacking, especially in areas without access to water or facilities.
  • Experience navigating backcountry terrain using a map, compass, and GPS for driving and hiking.
  • Experience driving 4WD vehicles on dirt and gravel roads and hiking on and off-trail through rugged terrain in remote locations to set up and monitor sampling locations.
  • Experience working in inclement conditions including, but not limited to: sun exposure with limited shade, thunderstorms, smoky conditions (not to exceed OSU’s maximum particulate exposure), rainy, windy, wintery mix, cold, and hot weather conditions
  • Experience working in remote areas without cell service, working independently and as a team.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to complete tasks on time.
  • Outdoor leadership experience and/or experience supervising field research technicians.
  • Willingness and ability to mentor and train members of your team and crew.
  • Wilderness first aid or higher certification.
  • Knowledge of Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly principles.
  • Experience working and/or living with people or groups from differing backgrounds.
  • Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
  • Must work 10-hour days for 8 days at a time Wednesday to Wednesday followed by 6 days off in between.
  • Typical workday starts at 7:00 am but may be adjusted earlier or later on a day-to-day basis for reasons including, but not limited to, avoiding afternoon thunderstorms, and working in cooler temperatures.
  • Ability to work in a variety of harsh and quickly changing weather and environmental conditions including hot weather with limited shade, and smoky conditions.
  • Will be working and camping outside in remote field study areas.
  • Involves spending a lot of time in a vehicle and must have a valid driver’s license.
  • Routinely hike off trail across uneven/rugged terrain while carrying a backpack with research equipment and personal gear for up to 6 miles in a day (research plots are typically no more than 3 miles from a road, many are less than 3 miles).
  • Regularly requires squatting, kneeling, and standing for extended periods of time.
  • Requires lifting and moving around research equipment and gear (coolers, 7-gallon water jugs, etc.) in and out of work vehicles.
  • Routinely dig 70 cm (2.3 ft) deep soil pits by hand with a sharpshooter shovel.
Pay Method Hourly
Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Min Salary $15.59
Max Salary $22.62
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/88884

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P04602CT
Number of Vacancies 8-12
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 04/10/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date 08/25/2024
Posting Date 01/19/2024
Full Consideration Date 01/31/2024
Closing Date 04/10/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by January 31, 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.
Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted on the employment profile with education and work history along with any other requested documentation i.e. posting specific question responses, transcripts, etc. Your profile MUST clearly show how you meet the minimum/required qualifications for the position. Resumes are NOT accepted at the application stage for this position.
Please note that for the supplemental questions asking about prior experiences you are welcome to use and discuss experiences and examples from outside professional work experience such as volunteering, community service, transferable skills, workshops, conferences, lived experience, etc.
Please keep your statements concise. If you do not have any applicable experience for a question, please answer with “N/A”
Equivalent required experience is based on full-time equivalent (40 hours per week).
PLEASE NOTE: If you have volunteer experience relevant to this position, please include in the Employment History section and note length of time, average number of hours per week and major duties.
Typically, the starting salary is at the lower end of the salary range.
For additional information please contact: Caitlin Lawrence at [email protected]
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [email protected] .

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