Research Technician in Invasive Plant Ecology

The USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Northern Plains Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney, MT is seeking an enthusiastic and hard-working individual to assist in restoration ecology research. Our research primarily focuses on restoration of native rangelands with an emphasis on increasing rangeland resistance to woody plant and weedy invaders. The diverse work duties will include community plant composition assessment for restored riparian areas, native rangeland, and pipelines, plant clipping and sorting for biomass estimation, greenhouse experiments on invasion-resistant plant traits, and potentially insect sampling and identification in restored riparian ecosystems.  Overnight travel to other states may be required, with government vehicles provided. Candidates will gain hands on experience with diverse field sampling and experimental methods, as well as insect and plant identification techniques, while working in a team oriented research environment.

Salary: Full time, $12.21-$13.32 per hour dependent on experience and education. The candidate will receive overtime pay when working more than 40 hours per week.

Dates: June through the end of August, depending on a candidate’s availability.

Qualifications: The candidate should be able to walk rapidly over rangeland, be physically fit, lift up to 50lbs, and able to spend long hours in difficult field conditions (hot weather, biting insects). Preference will be given to candidates with strong plant identification skills. Willingness to work long days and weekends when necessary is a must. Valid driver’s license required. Undergraduate course work in plant identification and plant monitoring methods, and previous field research experience in plant community sampling is preferred, but not required. Must be a US citizen.

Application process: Please send a cover letter describing relevant experience or coursework, resume (including major, relevant experience/coursework, technical skills, and prior employment), and names and contact information of two references (electronically) to John Gaskin (john.gaskin@usda.gov) or Nikki Dahl (nikki.dahl@usda.gov).  Be sure to include available start and end dates.

Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information on the research program visit:  www.ars.usda.gov/pa/nparl or contact us directly.