HARVARD UNIVERSITY – HARVARD FOREST
Field Technicians
Petersham, Massachusetts
Summary
The Harvard Forest (HF) seeks up to 6 talented and enthusiastic individuals to
oversee the re-sampling and data management of a large-scale (35 ha) temperate
forest plot. Reporting to the HF Forest Ecologist and supervised daily by the
Field Crew Leader, the Field Technicians will work closely with scientists from
the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) (www.ctfs.si.edu) the Smithsonian
Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) and the HF Megaplot Science Team to
help ensure that sampling and data management are consistent with other
temperate and tropical forest plots.
Duties and Responsibilities
Crews will work in pairs to census, tag, paint, and map all woody stems ≥ 1 cm
dbh within 35 ha forest plot; Crews will also enter field data daily into a
CTFS database.
Required Education, Experience, and Skills
College background in Botany, Ecology, Forestry, or Biology with 2 years of
experience with vegetation sampling required. Bachelor’s Degree is preferred.
Knowledge of temperate New England forest flora and forest dynamics, skill with
maps and compass, familiarity with mapping, surveying/orienteering, PC
computers, electronic tablets, database entry, and ability to work well with
others required. Successful applicants will have strong interest to work with
interdisciplinary science teams and serious interest in environmental research.
Working Conditions
Must have a cheerful attitude while working outdoors under all weather
conditions including wet and rainy days. A valid driver’s license (for at least
the past 2 years) and excellent driving record preferred. Applicants must be
in good physical health and capable of walking/hiking several miles each day
carrying a heavy pack. Must be able to lift 75 lbs.
Compensation, Benefits and Application Process
Competitive salary for these 13-week, 40 hrs/week, temporary positions is
$14/hour. Positions will begin on May 20, 2019 and extend to on or around
August 16, 2019. Apply by sending cover letter, resume and contact information
for 3 relevant references to hfa...@fas.harvard.edu, Subject line: Megaplot
project.
Harvard Forest
Harvard Forest, an internationally recognized center for basic research in
forest ecology, is one of 28 Long Term Ecological Research sites across the
country sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The Forest facilities
include a research and administrative complex, 4000 acres of land and 14
residential buildings which are located in Petersham, a small town in central
Massachusetts. For more information about the Forest, visit our website at:
http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu.
