Summer Field Opportunities in Plant Ecology and Restoration

We are hiring field research assistants to assist with several studies during summer 2015. Assistants will work in teams, collecting data on overstory and understory vegetation as well as environmental conditions. Overnight travel and camping will be required. Field vehicles will be provided. Positions are located throughout western Montana.

For summer 2015, we will be hiring for the following projects:

• Efficacy and Ecological Impacts of Prescribed Burn to Restore Whitebark Pine —A 3-4 person crew will collect data on whitebark pine growth, cone production, and survival after a prescribed burn restoration treatment. Data on key understory plants will also be collected.
• Efficacy and Ecological Impacts of Herbicide Treatments in the Southwest Crown of the Continent –The same 3-4 person crew will collect data on understory plant abundance and fitness (growth, survival, and reproduction) in areas previously treated with herbicide. This project is part of the Southwest Crown of the Continent Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (http://www.swcrown.org/).
• Impacts of Road Decommissioning on Wildlife Habitat and Vegetation – A 2-person crew will collect baseline habitat and vegetation data (shrubs, trees, noxious weeds) along Forest Service roads, and resample sites where roads have been reclaimed. This is also a SWCC CFLRP project and more information about this project can be found here.
• Re-vegetation Monitoring at Milltown Dam Removal Site – A 3-4 person crew will collect vegetation data at the former Milltown Dam site - part of the Milltown Reservoir Sediments Superfund Site - to monitor the efficacy of restoration treatments.

Required Qualifications: Positions are best suited to individuals that: have or are working toward a degree in ecology or a related field. Candidates should have a high aptitude for following complex data collection protocols, solving problems with minimal supervision, and working both independently and in teams. Candidates must have the patience to move through rough terrain with delicate and expensive equipment, be in good physical condition and be able to work long hours in adverse weather. A good driving record is also required.

Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience sampling vegetation and familiarity with flora of the interior Northwest is highly preferred, as are good navigational skills and experience with using a GPS. Experience driving mountainous Forest Service roads, and working and/or recreating in grizzly country is also a plus.

Salary: $12.00‐$16.00/hr, depending upon experience.

Duration and Schedule: June through end of August or mid-September 2015. The work schedule will vary by project, but in general will either be four or eight consecutive 10-hr days, followed by three or six days off, respectively. Some of the field assistants’ time may be spent with data entry in addition to field work.

Application Process: Application review will begin on March 20 and continue on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. To apply, please assemble the following into a single PDF and email to megan.keville@umontana.edu  1) a one-page cover letter describing a) your interests and qualifications for one or more of the positions described above, and b) your dates of availability; 2) a resume or CV; 3) copies of either college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable) or professional work products; and 4) contact information for two references with firsthand knowledge of your work experience and aptitude (please do not send letters of reference). Work-study students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Forestry Field Assistants for Summer 2015 in Baja, Mexico

We are seeking three forestry field technicians to assist with an assessment of post-fire vegetation recovery and dry forest ecosystem resilience to wildfire. Field work will primarily take place in the Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Martir in Baja, Mexico (SSPM). Travel to SSPM and field sites will be provided. In addition to measuring vegetation characteristics, crew members will learn methods for validating remotely sensed imagery (LiDAR), a highly desirable skill for land managers and conservation scientists.

Responsibilities:

• Collecting detailed vegetation data, including measuring forest fuels, surveying trees and regeneration, and estimating abundance of understory plants and substrates.
• Traveling to, camping, and working for 8-day sessions (followed by six days off) in a remote national park on the Baja peninsula of Mexico.
• Spending extensive periods in remote locations without regular access to facilities (e.g., showers) or communications (e.g., cell phone and internet).
• Hiking and collecting data for long hours in rugged terrain and potentially adverse weather conditions.

Qualifications:

• Have or be working towards a degree in forestry, botany, ecology, or related field.
• Have experience collecting vegetation data.
• Be physically and mentally fit for camping, hiking, and working in all kinds of weather in a remote region.
• Be a team player, agreeable, and able to get along with people.
• Demonstrate a dedication to accurate and consistent data collection, and have effective problemsolving skills and a strong work ethic.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and passport.
• For two of the three open positions, preference will be given to individuals who are fluent in Spanish.

Preference may be given to applicants with experience navigating backcountry roads and driving 4WD vehicles.

Salary: $13 - $15/hour, depending on experience.

Dates: Field work will begin in late May or early June and continue through August 2014.

Application Materials: Please combine into a single PDF: 1) a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest, 2) a resume or CV, and 3) email addresses and phone numbers for three references who can speak to your relevant experience and character. Please email these materials to haley.wiggins@umontana.edu. Application review will begin on March 1st and continue until all positions are filled.

For more information, please contact Haley Wiggins at (206)-799-6252 or haley.wiggins@umontana.edu