Undergrad Student Research Assistant - GIS

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 23 Feb 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Job Title Undergrad Student Research Assistant - GIS
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 one part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Undergraduate Research Assistant position for the College of Forestry at Oregon State University (OSU).
The AIS Lab (FERM, College of Forestry) and the Penaluna Lab (PNW Research Station, USDA Forest Service) are hiring an undergraduate student to work as a Field Research Assistant in the UPstream Regional LiDAR Model of Extent of Trout (UPRLIMET) during Spring term 2024. UPRLIMET is a collaborative project mapping fish-bearing streams in forestlands of western Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. 
The Field Research Assistant will predominantly participate in data collection within western Oregon. The student will work under the direct guidance of experienced field technicians, developing skills for electrofishing, species identification, stream habitat characterization, high-accuracy GPS navigation, and real-time digital data entry, among other valuable tools for a career in fish and wildlife science. 
Position Duties
Stream surveys (80%): The Student Research Assistant will work in a small crew (2-3 people) conducting backpack electrofishing surveys in streams of western Oregon. As the crew moves upstream, the Field Research Assistant will follow the backpack operator (an experienced field technician) using a dip net to temporarily retain and identify stunned fish and amphibian species. The student will also operate a field tablet (Survey123 App) connected to a high-accuracy GPS receiver to fill a data form with species and habitat information.
Travel (20%): Given the extent of the study area and number of sites, crews may spend up to 20% of their work hours on the road. The Student Research Assistant will drive OSU Motorpool vehicles when logistically required. 
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
  • Registered as a student during Spring 2024 in a Fisheries, Wildlife, Forestry, or related program
  • Availability for two contiguous days of fieldwork per week through Spring Term (March through June)
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Able to travel out of Corvallis for up to 2 days at a time
  • Willing to do tough field work and learn new skills
  • Positive attitude, proactive, and enthusiastic about working outdoors
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
  • Field experience, ideally using electrofishing
  • Dexterity with tablets and GPS receivers
  • OSU Motor pool Authorization
  • Interest in contributing to a research project with far-reaching implications for the management of riparian and aquatic habitats in PNW forestlands
Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P10729SE
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 03/04/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date 06/28/2024
Posting Date 02/16/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 02/23/2024
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:
1. A Resume/Vita
2. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position
For additional information please contact: Michael Wing 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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