The Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff is hiring experienced field technicians and crew leaders for the 2018 field season (approximately April/May-October). Technicians should have the knowledge and skills described below to assist with research on forest restoration and ecosystem health projects. Technicians will work on crews in coniferous forests of Arizona and possibly other locations and ecosystems. This is a full-time, 40 hours-per-week position for the duration of the field season. Work will consist of 10-hour days. Local work in the vicinity of Flagstaff will be in the form of 4-day weeks, and out-of- town work away from Flagstaff will consist of 8-day trips. All positions require working in remote backcountry settings with diverse groups of people under potentially adverse weather conditions. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license and be able to frequently travel away from Flagstaff (up to 20 days per month) for fieldwork. Research technicians must be able to carry up to 25 lbs of field equipment in addition to personal gear.
The ERI is nationally recognized for mobilizing the unique assets of a university to help solve the problem of unnaturally severe wildfire and degraded forest health throughout the western US. The ERI collaborates with land management agencies and communities by providing comprehensive focused studies, monitoring and evaluation research, and technical support. The mission of the ERI is to serve as an objective leader in research, scholarship, and education, and in collaborative efforts to plan and implement restoration treatments for frequent-fire forest and woodland landscapes of the West. Description: Assistants will use a variety of methods to measure forest attributes such as tree height and diameter; forest regeneration; shrub abundance; surface fuel loading, and understory species cover. Technicians are expected to know or quickly learn the flora of southwestern forests to maximize data collection quality and efficiency. Assistants will use diameter tapes, logger’s tapes, hypsometers, digital cameras, sampling frames and hand-held computers. More experienced assistants may be asked to work with limited direct supervision, lead other field crews, and ensure the efficient and safe collection of high-quality data. Desired Qualifications: Prior experience with forest tree and stand measurements, plant community measurements, and field plant identification (e.g., dichotomous keys), preferably in western forests; experience with ecological restoration principles; experience with field computers and electronic data collection. GPS and field navigational skills. CPR, wilderness first aid/WFR training is desirable. Preference will be given to candidates who have completed a plant identification or taxonomy class or that demonstrate strong plant identification skills. Salary and Application Deadline $12-19.00/hr., depending on position and experience (e.g., technician, crew leader). Subject to funding. Open until filled. How to Apply Please send email introducing yourself along with resume and cover letter to [email protected].
