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Rangeland Restoration Research Assistant Summer 2021

by Ivara J. Roth on February 1, 2021

Summer Research Assistant: Rangeland restoration and invasive plant ecology (eastern MT and western ND)

Dates: mid to late May – late August 2021 (~13-week appointment). Please specify your available start and end dates in your application.

Job Description/Duties: The USDA, Agriculture Research Service, Northern Plains Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney, Montana is seeking an enthusiastic and hard-working individual to serve as a biological science aide 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. The successful candidate 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, $12.33 (GS-2) or $13.45 (GS-3) per hour depending on experience and education. The candidate will receive overtime pay when working more than 40 hours a week. Housing is not covered.

Qualifications: The candidate must be a US citizen, with a valid driver’s license.  Additionally, the candidate should be physically fit, and comfortable spending time outside in uncomfortable field conditions (hot, biting insects etc.). Willingness to work long days and weekends when necessary is a must. Undergraduate course work in ecology or botany, and previous field and lab work experience is preferred but not required. Preference will be given to candidates with plant identification skills.

Application process: Please send cover letter outlining relevant experience/skills, resume (including relevant coursework and prior employment), and names and contact information of two references (electronically) in a single file to Fraser Watson (fraser.watson@usda.gov). Be sure to include available start and end dates.

Open Period: Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information on our research program visit our website at https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/sidney-mt/northern-plains-agricultural-research-laboratory/ or contact Fraser Watson directly.

Title: Biological Science Aide

Series: 0404 Grade: GS2 or GS3

Vacancy Announcement Number: Seasonal L/A 

Location: USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Lab, Sidney, Montana  

USDA is an equal opportunity employer.         

Reasonable Accommodation:  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, or have questions regarding reasonable accommodation and/or accessibility for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Disability Program Manager on 202-720-6161 or through the DC Relay Service on 202-855-1234 (TDD).

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