Short-term position: Field technicians needed for biological soil crust
restoration project in southern New Mexico
Position Description:
The Barger aridlands ecology lab at the University of Colorado in
Boulder is looking to hire five field technicians on a highly
collaborative biological soil crust restoration project. Biological soil
crusts ('biocrusts') are a community of organisms consisting of
cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses living in the top few centimeters of
the soil surface. Among many other benefits biocrusts are important for
maintaining soil stability, nitrogen fixation and the maintenance of
soil moisture in arid and semi-aridlands. Because biocrusts are highly
sensitive to degradation our research uses different restoration
techniques aimed at facilitating biocrust recovery after disturbance.
Field technicians will assist in all aspects of the implementation and
monitoring of this restoration project. All field work will be based out
of the Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, NM.
Start date: September 7th
End date: Approximately October 2nd
Compensation: $10.00-$12.00 based on experience with both Per diem and
lodging provided. Field technicians will need to arrange travel to Las
Cruces, NM where travel will then be provided.
Examples of Duties:
>Creating biocrust restoration plots through scraping, inoculation and
implementing best delivery methods.
>Completing soil monitoring techniques and biocrust cover observations
(e.g., soil stability and level of biocrust development).
>Seeding native plants.
Desired Skills:
>Previous experience with ecological field work and/or relevant
undergraduate coursework will be given priority.
>Ability to spend long days in the field under highly fluctuating
temperatures and environmental conditions.
>Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
>Strong communication skills and ability to work in small groups.
>High attention to detail.
How to apply:
Email a statement of interest, a current resume, and three professional
references (please provide both email and phone number) to
[email protected].
For full consideration all application materials must be received by
August 5th, 2015.
For more information on our lab and the research we conduct please visit
the lab website:
http://www.colorado.edu/eeb/facultysites/barger/index.html
Akasha Faist
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Colorado, Boulder
Boulder, CO 80309
[email protected]
