Field Technician, Native Seed and Grassland Restoration

Location: BLM lands surrounding the Fort Belknap Indian Community, Montana

Principal Investigator: Dr. Cristina Eisenberg

Affiliation: Oregon State University; Society for Ecological Restoration; funded by BLM

Job Description: This position involves working in a mixed grass prairie on the Northern Plains in Montana, to implement BLM Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Protocol, and Seeds of Success (SOS) Protocol, with tribal and BLM-designated focal species, using Traditional Ecological Knowledge to highlight plants with strong ecocultural relevance to the Fort Belknap Indian Community (FBIC). These data will be used to assess and restore wildlife habitat, using native seeds. Additional key project objectives are to implement the FBIC Community Fellows Program, to train tribal young adults in natural-resources work. Will be supervised in the field by an ecologist and will be working in a group at all times. Housing will be in a research house on the Reservation, in a shared room. In addition to fieldwork, this position includes doing GIS work remotely before fielding to help plan data collection and identify data gaps and species occurrences. Project will follow all COVID-19 federal, state, and tribal guidelines.

Qualifications: Seeking one experienced field technician with a background in grassland and forestry vegetation sampling methods. Only persons with previous paid field technician experience will be considered for this position. Must have a BSc or be in the final stages of completing a BSc in Rangeland, Botany, or Forestry. Must have ArcMap GIS skills. Must be in excellent physical condition, with no back, knee, or other injuries. Must be able to comfortably carry a 40 lb. pack in and out of the sampling sites (max. 10 miles round trip per day), assist with soil sampling, and deal calmly with hazards, such as rattlesnakes and heat. Must have excellent people skills. Must be attentive to details and able to follow directions exactly. Must be respectful of and able to interact well with Native American people. Must be able to bring own vehicle to the job, although fieldwork will take place using a vehicle owned by the project.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send CV, college transcripts, two letters of reference from persons who have supervised you doing fieldwork, and a cover letter explaining what you hope to gain from this position and why you would be a good fit for it. Please send all materials as e-mail attachments. Applications accepted between April 21 – May 22, 2020

Compensation: $15 USD per hour.

Work Dates: mid-June 2020-mid-August 2020

Contact: Dr. Cristina Eisenberg
E-mail:cristina.eisenberg@oregonstate.edu