Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, a science center of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), will hire two STEP (Student Temporary Employment Program) Biological Science Technicians to work on an invasive plant species research project. This research will be done in three National Park Service (NPS) units that have active prescribed fire management programs: Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Devils Tower National Monument, all in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. In the second year of the study (summer 2011), growing-season pre-burn and post-burn data will be collected. The project is a cooperative effort between Northern Prairie and the NPS Northern Great Plains Fire Management Office. The technicians will be based in the latter office at Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD. To qualify you must be a degree-seeking student that will be taking classes in the Fall 2011 semester.
MAJOR DUTIES: The technicians will work on research study investigating the relationship between prescribed burning in ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills, various environmental factors, and target invasive plant species. Primary responsibilities include: hiking to, finding, and setting up plots; determining the frequency and categorical abundance of approximately 15 target invasive species; measuring forest structure, canopy density, dead & down fuel loading, and fine fuel mass; using FFI computer program for data input and storage. WAGES: Approximately $13.41/hr LENGTH OF SEASON: Mid-May until mid-August HOUSING: Park housing may be available for rent. AREA INFORMATION: Wind Cave National Park is located in the southern Black Hills of southwest South Dakota, approximately 5 ½ hours north of Denver, CO. Medical and dental services, shopping, restaurants, and churches of most faiths are available in Hot Springs (12 miles) and Custer (20 miles). The full service community of Rapid City, SD, population 60,000, is 60 miles away. HOW TO APPLY: If you are interested in this position, please send complete transcripts (unofficial OK) and a resume to Amy Symstad at [email protected]. Please distribute this outreach notice widely and encourage interested candidates to contact Amy Symstad (Research Ecologist) at 605-745-1191 with any additional questions. For more information about Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, go to http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/index.htm. For more information about the Northern Great Plains Fire Ecology program, go to http://www.nps.gov/ngpfire/ecology.htm. The U.S. Geological Survey is an equal opportunity employer. ******************************************** Amy Symstad U.S. Geological Survey Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Black Hills Station Wind Cave National Park 26611 U.S. Highway 385 Hot Springs, SD 57747 Phone: 605-745-1191 Email: [email protected] ******************************************************
