Biological Sciences Research Technician 3
Oregon State University
Oregon, USA · Corvallis, OR, USA
USD 19.36-28.75 / hour
Posted on Feb 3, 2026
Position Information
| Department | INR-Or Biodvrsty InfoCtr (RNR) |
|---|---|
| Classification Title | Bio Science Research Tech 3 |
| Job Title | Biological Sciences Research Technician 3 |
| Appointment Type | Classified Staff |
| Job Location | Various Locations |
| Benefits Eligible | Full-Time, benefits eligible |
| Remote or Hybrid option? | |
| Employment Category | Seasonal |
| Job Summary | This recruitment will be used to fill seven full-time, seasonal (March – December) Biological Science Research Technician 3 positions for the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University (OSU). These positions will be located in Oregon and Washington. Please be sure to enter all relevant employment and volunteer experience in the itemized employment experience section as that is how you will be evaluated for minimum qualifications and salary level. This posting will be used to hire numerous forest ecology field crew members for sampling in the 2026 field season. The positions are seasonal (~7 months) positions to collect Forest Inventory and Assessment (FIA) data on forested land across Oregon, Washington, and northern California. INR will have multiple crews working across these areas, but the majority of plots will be near Grants Pass, Eugene, and La Grande, Oregon and Olympia and Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Generally, individuals will be on a crew that is focused in one Forest Service duty station, so that they can become familiar with the forests and geography of that area. Sometimes, crews will make sampling hitches in other areas around the region depending on program needs. Data collected as a part of the FIA program is used for forest health monitoring to document the condition and changes of forest communities on forest lands under any ownership. These data can be used by land managers to inform future management actions, monitor stand productivity, and observe trends in the condition of America’s forests. The data also become publicly available for download. To learn more about the US Forest Service FIA program, visit https://research.fs.usda.gov/programs/fia. This work involves following standardized protocols for monitoring tree growth and condition, plant community characterization, and quantifying fuel loading. Knowledge of tree and other plant identification, common forest pathogens and insect pests, forest ecology, and field sampling methods are needed for successful FIA implementation. Ensuring that all of the data has been collected on the plot, managing datasheets and digital survey forms, and managing unknown plants are also essential. Field techs will work with US Forest Service personnel based out of one of several potential US Forest Service duty stations on a two or more person crew while they complete the assigned plots. The majority of the work will be in the field, sampling the plots, but each plot requires some office work to complete data processing. The schedule will depend on the duty station and the particular plots that need to be sampled and could be 5 to 8-day sampling hitches with camping or hotel lodging, or daily trips out of the duty station. Due to the extensive travel involved with the work and the far-flung duty stations, we are somewhat flexible about the living situation of crew members. We hope that the crew members can live near the duty station of the forest service crew they are working with, but we also budget for a reasonable amount of travel between crew members homes and the assigned duty station at the beginning and end of each work hitch. Duty stations will likely be in Eugene, Gants Pass, and La Grande, Oregon and Olympia and Sedro-Woolley, Washington. In past seasons, crews have been based in western Oregon (such as Corvallis, Portland, and Eugene), central Oregon (such as Redmond or Bend), or central Washington (for crews based in Washington). Housing is not provided for this position, but a generous per diem is provided for food and camping and hotel accommodation expenses will be reimbursed while on hitch. |
| Why OSU? | Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all. FACTS: • Top 1.4% university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color • 217k+ alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about Locations: Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances. Total Rewards Package: Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. • Retirement savings paid by the university. • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program. • Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life. Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. |
| Key Responsibilities | 60% – Collect forest monitoring data using FIA protocols in the field. 15% – Work with USFS Staff to ensure the FIA data gets needed QA-QC and is incorporated into appropriate USFS databases. 15% – Drive throughout field area and navigate with maps and GPS to unique or typical habitats or preselected points. 10% – Hike to off-road sites, identify plants and plant communities. |
| What We Require | A Bachelor’s degree in (specific area of biological science) and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level. Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree. |
| What You Will Need | A bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, botany, soil sciences, environmental science or rangeland sciences and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level. Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree. Additional:
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030. |
| What We Would Like You to Have |
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| Working Conditions / Work Schedule |
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| Pay Method | Hourly |
| Pay Period | 16th - 15th of the following month |
| Pay Date | Last working day of the month |
| Min Salary | $19.36 |
| Max Salary | $28.75 |
| Link to Position Description |
Posting Detail Information
| Posting Number | P05544CT |
|---|---|
| Number of Vacancies | 7 |
| Anticipated Appointment Begin Date | 03/27/2026 |
| Anticipated Appointment End Date | 12/15/2026 |
| Posting Date | 02/02/2026 |
| Full Consideration Date | 02/11/2026 |
| Closing Date | 03/27/2026 |
| Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search | Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants |
| Special Instructions to Applicants | To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by February 11, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants. Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted on the employment profile with education and work history along with any other requested documentation i.e. posting specific question responses, transcripts, etc. Your profile MUST clearly show how you meet the minimum/required qualifications for the position. Resumes are NOT accepted at the application stage for this position. You will be required to answer 4 supplemental questions (one is optional) within the application. For the questions asking about prior experiences you are welcome to use and discuss experiences and examples from outside professional work experience such as volunteering, community service, transferable skills, workshops, conferences, lived experience, etc. Please keep your statements concise. If you do not have any applicable experience for a question, please answer with “N/A” Equivalent required experience is based on full-time equivalent (40 hours per week). PLEASE NOTE: If you have volunteer experience relevant to this position, please include in the Employment History section and note length of time, average number of hours per week and major duties. Typically, the starting salary is at the lower end of the salary range. For additional information please contact: Michael Russell at Michael.Russell@oregonstate.edu or 541-602-4940. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools. The online application system will allow you to attach your transcripts if the PDF file is 9MB or less. Transcripts must be received by the closing date. If you have trouble uploading your transcripts, reach out to the contact listed. |