Project summary:

This position will support field data collection associated with a graduate research project focused on assessing understory shrub responses to fuel treatments on the Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon. The project co-PI’s are Meg Krawchuk and Harold Zald, and the project is a collaboration between Oregon State University and the US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station. The position will join the Department of Forest Ecosystems & Society, in the College of Forestry. The goal of this project is to quantify and compare shrub characteristics in the understory of forests treated with thinning and prescribed burning across a number of temporal, geographic, and ecological gradients. The shrub characteristics of interest include species abundance, species richness, maximum height, average height, and cover. These characteristics will be measured in stands comprising a range of treatment histories, canopy conditions, and topographic and ecological contexts. The results from this study aim to inform future management of dry forests east of the Cascades by presenting a more nuanced understanding of shrub responses to fuel treatments.

The position will assist a graduate student by conducting surveys of shrubs, stand conditions, and site characteristics, navigating to and assessing suitable sampling locations, and collecting high resolution GPS measurements of plot locations using surveying equipment. Field conditions for this project include hiking with equipment across rugged and uneven terrain, navigation through challenging vegetation, and working in potentially hot and exposed locations.

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.

30% – Performing field surveys of shrub physical characteristics and community composition, including visually estimating shrub cover by species and collecting measurements of maximum and average shrub height within a circular plot.

30% – Locating and determining the suitability of potential sampling locations, including but not limited to: navigating to GPS coordinates using Avenza (or other mapping software), assessing forest structural characteristics, and collecting high resolution GPS points using surveying equipment.

20% – Conducting surveys of forest and site characteristics (e.g. determining the slope, aspect, general soil type, dominant tree species, and canopy density at a given site).

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 with equipment 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-July and concludes in early to mid-September.

Lodging during fieldwork for the duration of the field season will be in dedicated Forest Service housing at the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest. However, some overnight camping may be advantageous throughout the field season to minimize

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.