2008 Student Range Ecology Technicians
Juniper Woodland and Shrub Steppe Ecology
Job Title: Range Ecology Technician
Start Date: May-June, 2008
End Date: September, 2008 or earlier if you are returning to school
Location: Eastern Oregon Agricultural
Research Center, Burns, Oregon.
Number of Positions Available: 3
Job Description: Summer techs work with the research scientist. Fieldwork is oriented to ecological studies with emphasis in plant succession, plant community structure and composition, and post-fire ecology. Responsibilities are to assist in the collection of field data (vegetation and soils descriptions). Field work takes up about 85% of the position responsibilities. Work is in rugged and remote areas of southeastern Oregon and southwest Idaho. Office work is mainly data entry. Laboratory work consists of biomass separation and weighing, seed cleaning and weighing, and preparation of soils for analysis.
Research projects include:
(1) Restoration of aspen and shrub steppe communities; southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho.
(2) Climate effects and long-term vegetation dynamics in big sagebrush alliances; eastern Oregon.
(3) Fire ecology in juniper woodlands and sagebrush steppe; southeast Oregon and southwest Idaho.
(4) Influence of fire and grazing on vegetation succession on sagebrush steppe.
(5) Ecological thresholds and seeding restoration following fire and juniper control.
(6) Prescribed Fire applications – September (tentative)
Requirements: Undergraduates in range, soils, wildlife, or other natural resource fields. Students should be familiar with computer spreadsheets. Students must be capable of hiking over steep and rough terrain and camping for up to a week at a time. Must be able to lift/pack up to 50 lbs. and able to squat/kneel for extended periods of time for sample collection. Must have valid driver’s license.
Salary and Housing: $11.00/hr, workweek is typically 40-60 hours. Expect overtime pay from May-July. Workload tapers off in August. A food allowance of $15.00/day is provided when we are staying overnight in the field. Housing and utilities are provided at the research station at no charge.
To Apply: Send or email letter of interest and/or resume to the address below. List any pertinent classes in range science, botany, natural resources, wildlife, and soil science. Oregon State is AA/EOE. Job posting will remain open until all positions are filled.
Dr. Jon Bates
EOARC-Burns67826-A Hwy 205 - Burns OR 97720
Phone: 541/573-8932
E-mail: jon.bates@oregonstate.edu