Student Technical Assistant-Native Plant Seed Collection

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: about 1 month ago
Location: Bend, TEXAS
Deadline: 22 Mar 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Job Title Student Technical Assistant-Native Plant Seed Collection
Appointment Type Student Employee
Job Location Bend
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
Remote or Hybrid option?
Min Hourly Rate $14.20 (Standard); $13.20 (Non-Urban); $15.45 (Portland Metro)
Max Hourly Rate $21.00 (Standard); $18.50 (Non-Urban); $21.50 (Portland Metro)
Position Summary
The Oregon State University Human and Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability (HERS) Lab is a research institution co-led by OSU Cascades and the National Park Service that delivers expertise in ecological assessment and monitoring, restoration, and native plant materials to support evidence-based conservation for the 21st century. The HERS Lab houses the Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network of the National Park Service (UCBN), [MS1] East Cascades Native Plant Hub (ECNPH), and the Northwestern Bat Hub on the OSU Cascades campus in Bend, OR. The Lab is hiring two student technical assistants to assist the East Cascades Native Plant Hub [MS2] with collecting native plant seed at various locations in Oregon (with some potential collection in Idaho). Seed collection will entail travel to sites on BLM, NPS, and USFS lands, camping overnight in some situations, and may also include restoration planting and greenhouse plant propagation.
 
Field work for this position is diverse and dynamic, well-balanced with hard work and time off, and offers a unique opportunity to get experience in several facets of native plant work: seed collection, plant propagation, and planting with a variety of land management agencies. The technicians hired for this position will be based in Bend, OR, where there is excellent access to hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, and kayaking/rafting opportunities. Typical work weeks will involve 40 hours of work, primarily outdoors, and technicians should be comfortable spending long days outdoors and traversing rough terrain. Technicians will be part of a crew of 2-4 ENCPH staff that frequently collaborates with additional partners. 
Position Duties
70% Native Plant Seed Collection:
·      Assist crew lead with seed collection following Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol (training provided).
·      Confidently and consistently identifying grasses and forbs for target plant specieds (training provided).
·      Hiking long distances (up to 5 mi), on and off trail, over very rugged terrain.
·      Hiking with packs weighting 20+ pounds
·      Collecting location data using tablets and hand-held GPS units.
·      Conducting quality assurance/ control for seed collected, either in the field or in the office.
·      Working independently and collaboratively with a team.
 
30% Native Plant Materials Projects (ECNPH):
·      Seed cleaning.
·      Greenhouse maintenance including plant propagation, watering, and pest management.
·      Field activities including planting for seed increase and restoration projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/stu-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

  • Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
  • Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
  • Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
    • High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
    • Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
    • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
    • Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
    • Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*


*International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.
Additional Required Qualifications
·      Two years of college-level courses in biology, botany, or ecology. 
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
·      Experience with rangeland plant identification.
·      Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for navigation.
·      Willingness and ability to hike off-trail on very rugged terrain with a heavy pack.
·      Willingness and ability to camp and work in variable weather conditions, while always prioritizing safety.
·      Demonstrated ability to work independently, self-direct, and collaborate effectively.
·      Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, both verbal and written.
·      Valid, state-issued driver’s license.
·      First aid/CPR training
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Typical work weeks will involve 40 hours of work, primarily outdoors, and technicians should be comfortable spending long days outdoors and traversing rough terrain. Technicians will be part of a crew of 2-4 ENCPH staff that frequently collaborates with additional partners. 

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P10868SE
Number of Vacancies 2
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 06/17/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date 09/20/2024
Posting Date 03/18/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 03/22/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students
Special Instructions to Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic document:
1) A Resume.
2) Cover Letter
For additional information please contact:
Matt Shinderman 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.
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

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