Technical Assistant Pool - Vegetation Management Research Cooperative

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: 5 days ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 25 Sep 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Job Title Technical Assistant Pool - Vegetation Management Research Cooperative
Appointment Type Student Employee
Job Location Corvallis
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
This recruitment will be used to fill future part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Student Technical Assistant positions as needed with the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management at Oregon State University (OSU).
The Student Technical Assistants will assist with the efforts of the Vegetation Management Research Cooperative (VMRC). The VMRC conducts applied research on the reforestation of young plantations from seedling establishment through crown closure with an emphasis on operational vegetation management. The student will travel to research sites in order to measure tree diameters and heights, identify herbaceous and woody plant species, and maintain the research sites. The employees will also assist with data entry and other routine data management assignments.
The position will be based in Corvallis, Oregon with occasional trips to several research sites throughout Oregon and Washington states.
The approximate hours worked per week will vary depending on the needs of the project, but will not exceed 24 hours per week during academic terms.
Position Duties
90% Field Work:
  • Conduct vegetation surveys for identifying understory (herbaceous and woody) species.
  • Use diameter tape to measure tree diameters.
  • Use calipers to measure tree root collar diameters.
  • Use laser instruments to measure tree heights.
  • Estimate the percent cover of herbaceous and woody plant species.
  • Record data on paper data forms or in handheld data recorders.


10% Office Work:
  • Process and manage field data. Carefully enter data into a computer.
  • Weigh biomass samples.
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
A successful applicant will be organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
  • Experience working in forested conditions.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with other crew members in a professional manner while maintaining a positive and safe work environment.
  • Experience working with Microsoft Excel.
  • A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
  • Ability to identify understory species and identify unknown species through the use of resources such as a dichotomous key.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
The ability to work safely in forested conditions and in unfavorable weather conditions is required.

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P10622SE
Number of Vacancies 5
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 06/10/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 01/10/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 09/25/2024
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 documents:
  • A Resume/Vita
  • A Cover Letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.


For additional information please contact: Emily Von Blon 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.
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

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