Summer Field Positions in Idaho The lab of Dr. Andrew Nelson in the Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire Sciences at the University of Idaho is seeking qualified applicants for 1 crew leader ($12-13/hour) and 2-3 technicians ($9-10/hour) for 40 hours per week during summer 2017. In general, the Nelson lab focuses on silviculture and applied forest ecology. Our research explores the effects of forest management on stand dynamics and tree growth, specifically forests of the Inland Empire (northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and western Montana) and the greater Northern Rockies and Inland Northwest.
Expected start date May 22, 2017 and expected end date August 18, 2017. Employee will be responsible for arranging their own housing in Moscow, Idaho or surrounding area during the term of employment. Technician Qualifications: • Knowledge of Inland Northwest vegetation or ability to learn quickly • Knowledge of forest measurements and tools • Be able to work in the field in all weather conditions • Be able to camp as needed (applicants must provide their own supplies) • Be able to hike in rugged terrain • Be able to carry 50 lbs • Pass a criminal background check • Possess a valid driver’s license • Be able to drive University of Idaho vehicles (cannot have suspended license in the past three years, cannot have alcohol or drug- related offense) Crew Leader Qualifications: • All the qualifications for the technician positions, plus: o At least one year experience as a field technician o Ability to communicate with forest managers and coordinate field activities Interested applicants should submit a resume or CV, brief statement of interest and experience, and contact information (name, affiliation, phone number, and email) for 2 professional or academic references in a single PDF document to Dr. Andrew Nelson ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin immediately. Deadline for application is January 31, 2017. Brief Project Overview 1. Western Larch Thinning and Understory Vegetation • Location: Private and state forestland throughout northern Idaho and northeastern Washington – camping required • Long-term study of young, nearly pure western larch stands managed with three thinning densities (unthinned, 12 ft spacing, and 16ft spacing) and two understory management treatments (complete removal, no removal) • Duties include installing new trial sites and measuring treatment effects on tree growth, canopy structure, understory diversity, and soil moisture 2. Western Larch Genetics × Environment Interactions • Location: Private forestland in northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and northeastern Oregon – camping required • Long-term study to examine the performance of superior western larch clones in response to non-tree competition across a climatic gradient in the Inland Empire. 7 superior larch families in pure family blocks plus a standard orchard bulk seed mix block with and without complete control of non-tree vegetation. • Duties include assisting with greenhouse measurements of seedlings, locating study sites, and laying out planting blocks in the field in cooperation with forest managers. 3. Douglas-fir and Western Larch Competition Thresholds • Location: Private and state forestland throughout northern Idaho, northeastern Montana, and northeastern Oregon – camping required • Study will examine the amount of non-tree competition surrounding Douglas-fir and western seedlings required to cause a substantial decline in growth and survival across a climate gradient in the Inland Empire. Experiment will consist of two tree species with different areas of non-tree vegetation control around each seedling (no control, 1 ft control, 3 ft control, 5 ft control). • Duties include locating field sites, applying treatments, and initial seedling measurements. 4. Western White Pine and Douglas-fir Responses to Site Preparation • Location: Priest River Experimental Forest in the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho – housing provided • Study will examine the long-term effects (32 years post- planting) of site preparation treatments (no management, scalping, bedding, bedding + non-tree vegetation control) on the diameter and height growth, and growth efficiency of western white pine and Douglas- fir. • Duties include tree felling, detailed field measurements of tree branches and stems, laboratory measurements of leaf area and stem growth.
