This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 2: Vegetation Monitoring Technician position, for the Human and Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability Lab at Oregon State University-Cascades.

This position is located in Bend, Oregon.

The Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network (UCBN) monitors ecological vital signs in nine National Park Service units between the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Mountains. UCBN is based in Bend, Oregon, at the Human and Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability (HERS) Lab, a research program at Oregon State University – Cascades that provides expertise in ecological monitoring, restoration, and native plant materials to support evidence-based conservation.

OSU is hiring one BRST-2 to assist the UCBN with long-term monitoring projects, including sagebrush steppe, aspen, limber pine, and pinyon pine. Technicians will also participate in wildfire fuels reduction monitoring, native seed collection and processing, and restoration planting within park units. Although this position will be part of a field team, it is expected that candidates will demonstrate ability to operate independently and with high attention to detail in a field setting.

The duty station for this position is Bend, Oregon. Fieldwork will follow a hitch schedule of 8-days-on, 6-days-off with 10-hour days, tentatively from May 26, 2026, through September 28, 2026. Camping and travel will be required during fieldwork.

Why OSU-Cascades?

Founded in 2001, Oregon State University – Cascades brings higher education to Central Oregon while leveraging the excellence of a land grant and top-tier research university in one of the most dynamic cities in the Pacific Northwest.

Located near downtown Bend and surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades offers small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning in an innovative environment that accelerates opportunities for student, faculty and staff development and advancement.

With a 128-acre campus under development and a goal to grow to 3,000 to 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, OSU-Cascades is delivering on a 40-year grassroots community effort to bring the benefits of a comprehensive university to the region:

Student Body and Alumni
Student and alumni data is as of fall 2024.
• 1,370 undergraduate and graduate students
• 78% from Oregon
• 42% Central Oregonians
• 24% first generation students
• 23% students of color
• 19 students on average per class
• 95% of 2023 graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation
• 5,625 degrees awarded since founding

Academic Majors
A growing portfolio of degree programs at OSU-Cascades is designed to meet regional and state industry workforce and economic needs.

Research
Research underway at OSU-Cascades focuses on challenges in energy, the environment, human wellness, social justice and society. Labs at OSU-Cascades include the FORCE biomechanics lab, the Laboratory for the American Conversation and the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory.

Campus Development
OSU-Cascades’ campus development is driven by an award-winning long range development plan and engineering efforts that are transforming brownfields into a thriving university campus. Sustainability plans include net zero energy, waste and water goals. Initial sustainability efforts are seen in geothermal sourced energy to heat and cool buildings, and native plant landscaping requiring little or no irrigation. In addition to an academic core, campus plans includes a 24-acre innovation district, mid-market affordable housing, and 10-miles of walking/biking trails.

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.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation!

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

3% Native Plant Materials Projects

2% Data Management and Support

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.

Work schedule will primarily follow an 8 days on/6 days off schedule (typically Tuesday- Tuesday) with 10 hr work days.

The technician will be working outdoors in rugged and remote front country and backcountry fieldwork settings. The position will require heavy lifting and carrying packs weighing 30 lbs or more, extended periods of standing, hiking long distances (up to 12 miles) off-trail on very rugged terrain, frequent travel in a government vehicle, and regular car camping.

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).

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.

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:

Matt Shinderman
matt.shinderman@osucascades.edu
541-480-8145

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.