Overview
The Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University is hiring field crew members for sagebrush steppe sampling during the 2024 field season. Work begins in April and will continue to August. The job involves vegetation and soil sampling using assessment inventory monitoring (AIM) protocols throughout Oregon, Washington, and Northeast California.
We are looking for people who are familiar with identifying plants, who can handle the hard work of digging soil pits and vegetation sampling in the sage steppe environment, and are excited by extensive camping in remote, beautiful areas.
Field work entails 8-day sampling hitches where we will be camping in the areas we will be working. A full 8 day hitch consits of a total of around 80 hours of work. Crews have 6 days off between hitches. Crew members travel in work vehicles between their homes and the remote and widespread sample plots on the first and last days of the work hitch. There are typically 8 hitches during the season in addition to our training that starts in April. Our season runs mid April until the end of August.
Many crew members live in western and central Oregon as well as more dispersed places throughout the sampling region. In general, there is flexibility on where you can choose to live on the off hitches, provided it is logistically feasible.
In this position you will be conducting detailed monitoring using the Bureau of Land Management AIM protocols which includes digging a 70 cm soil pit, describing soil horizons, soil stability test, plant species inventories, line-point intercept, and gap intercept methods. You will be identifying plants with the help of crew and team leads, and assisting with data entry.
This job does involve a great deal of driving both on and off paved roads, as well as hiking with a pack full of your personal gear needed for the day and monitoring equipment. You will be working and living outside while on hitch in a wide variety of weather conditions which sometimes can quickly change.
Pay range for this position is $16.19 – $20.61 per hour
In addition to your hourly pay we also provide a per diem rate of around $77.18 a day which covers food and wear and tear on your camping gear. For a full 8-day 80 hour hitch you will receive an estimated $617.50 per hitch.
Qualifications:
- BA/BS degree in biology, botany, environmental science, or a related field.
- Coursework in botany, ecology, range science, field methods, or soil science
-Experience working and/or living with people or groups from differing backgrounds
-Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity
Required Skills:
- Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science); OR an equivalent combination of training and experience
- Must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence
Preferred Skills:
-Familiarity using ArcGIS Field Maps, Collector, Survey123, or related software
-Knowledge and experience using dichotomous keys to identify plants
-Experience working in sagebrush steppe, and grasslands
-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
-Wilderness first aid or higher certification
-Knowledge of Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly principles
About Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University
The Institute for Natural Resources (ORS 352.808) works to deliver management-relevant information that informs discussions and decisions about the long-term stewardship of Oregon's natural resources, and works to advance centralized, science-based natural resource information for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. INR is located at Oregon State University and Portland State University.
