This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 1 position for the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU). This position is located in Coos Bay, Oregon.

This position will support field data collection associated with a graduate research project focused on the effects of forest edges on Marbled Murrelet nesting habitat at the Elliott State Research Forest in the Central Coast Range of Oregon. The project PI is Meg Krawchuk, and the project team includes a diverse team of scientists. The position will join the Department of Forest Ecosystems & Society, in the College of Forestry. The goal of this project is to evaluate the effects of different forest edge types on various indicators of habitat quality in potential Marbled Murrelet stands. These indicators include canopy microclimate, nest predator abundance (such as ravens and jays), and epiphyte community characteristics. The results from this study aim to inform future management of Marbled Murrelet habitat in Oregon and present a better understanding of edge effects on the species.

The position will assist a graduate student by providing ground support for tree climbers, taking tree and vegetation measurements, and deploying and maintaining autonomous recording units (ARUs) at field sites. Field conditions for this project include steep terrain and can include navigation through challenging vegetation.

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.

25% – Assisting with ground support for tree climber(s), including but not limited to: assisting with transporting climbing gear from work vehicle to field sites, helping keep ropes untangled on the ground, fastening field equipment and tools to climbing rope for climber to use in the canopy (including the tying of several basic knots and hitches), and alerting tree climber of any hazards during climbing.

25% – Programming and deploying autonomous recording units (ARUs) at various field sites in the project area. This includes ensuring each unit has fully charged batteries and correct recording settings before deployment and performing maintenance checks when necessary.

30% - Performing inventories of understory composition (e.g. as a percentage of fruiting ground plants in a 10-meter radius circular plot at transect locations).

20% – Data recording using paper datasheets, following established protocols.

Field work requires driving between field site locations.

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.

This position requires the ability to work long hours outdoors in in all weather conditions in a remote forested environment. The ability to traverse steep, rugged, and/or uneven terrain is required.

The anticipated required work schedule will be 4 days on and 3 days off, with workdays typically lasting 10 hours. There may be some degree of variability. The field season starts in early-April and concludes in early to mid-September.

Lodging during fieldwork for the first part of the field season (early April into May) will be in hotels or Airbnb’s near the Elliott State Research Forest (likely in Reedsport or Coos Bay). However, some overnight camping will be required later in the field season, which we will do at one of several dedicated camping sites in the forest (there are no facilities, so we will bring our own water, food, and toiletries for a given work week).

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.

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:
Meg Krawchuk
meg.krawchuk@oregonstate.edu

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.