Graduate student studying the vegetation of the White River in western South Dakota seeking field assistant for the 2012 field season.
The White River is one of the country's longest undammed rivers; running from northwestern Nebraska, through the South Dakota Badlands to Chamberlain, South Dakota where it enters the Missouri River at Lake Francis Case. Because of its remote location there has been very little research on the river or its riparian vegetation. Assistant will aid in vegetation sampling and classification of sites located on the river throughout South Dakota. Requirements: BS or current enrollment in university coursework in botany, ecology, forestry, or related field; experience in botanical surveys, including use of a dichotomous key, and ability to identify (or learn to identify) trees and shrubs of the Great Plains; ability to work and camp under arduous conditions in remote locations; driver's license. Preferred: Knowledge of South Dakota/Great Plains flora, experience with GPS, experience working in remote locations, experience with Geographic Information System software. Assistant will be paid $9.38/hour for 40 hours a week. The field season is expected to run from May 21th through mid to late August (maximum of 480 hours or $4500). Housing will be provided over the summer; split between Chamberlain and Cottonwood, South Dakota. The assistant will be funded through the University of South Dakota. Applicants should email a cover letter and a copy of their resume/CV with 3 references to Alex Cahlander-Mooers at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Feel free to email with any questions about the position.
