This recruitment will be used to fill six full-time Temporary Biological Science Research Technician 1 positions for the Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University (OSU). This position will be located in Shaver Lake, California.

This project will conduct broad-scale monitoring for fisher, marten, owls, and other carnivore species in the southern Sierra Nevada, with the primary focus the federally listed fisher. There have been dramatic landscape changes due to fire and drought and there is a need to identify how tree mortality and subsequent extreme fires are influencing fisher occupancy, density, habitat use, diet and connectivity across the southern Sierras. This information can be used to better understand how fishers are adapting to this changed landscape and guide management to promote continued population persistence while also addressing the need to reduce fuel loads to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Oregon State University (OSU) will work closely with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to accomplish these goals.

There are six crew member level positions available. Crews will receive instruction, guidance and training from crew leaders and the Field Coordinator. Crew members will focus primarily on installing and servicing monitoring stations that include deploying remotely-triggered cameras, hair snare devices, track plate boxes, autonomous recording units, and automated scent lure dispensers. Crew members are expected to conduct accurate data collection according to the field protocol, and process data if time allows. Crew members will learn to identify common Sierra Nevada species by photo and track.

These physically demanding duties, primarily in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to California’s backcountry. These positions require extensive driving on both paved and unpaved roads in rugged terrain using 4-wheel drive, and off-trail hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (3,000-10,000 ft.) on a daily basis. This position requires a high level of physical fitness (capable of hiking 5-15 miles off-trail/day) and ability to cope with strenuous field conditions that include hot temperatures, steep terrain, dense vegetation, poison oak, inclement weather, and insects. Many technicians describe this as the most difficult field work they have conducted.

Overnight camping will be required for up to 7 nights/week for most of the field season as many survey locations are long distances from the crew office and housing. Thus, technicians will be camping for most of the field season in both developed campgrounds and dispersed camping sites. Field technicians will work throughout the season in pairs but may on occasion work independently. Crew leaders and the Field Coordinator will provide information on potential camping sites. The project will also provide group gear, but sleeping bag, field clothes, boots must be provided by field technicians. The field crew will receive field per diem for overnight travel days to buy food or other items needed. When not camping for work and on days off, housing will be provided near Fresno, Shaver Lake, or Oakhurst, California.

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

30% - Drive long distances on remote, narrow, paved and unpaved roads using 4-wheel drive on rocky, loose, rutted, hilly terrain. Hike and navigate off trail in rugged field conditions to install and check monitoring stations including trail cameras, track plates, genetic sampling devices, and autonomous recording units.

60% – Collect ecological field data following detailed field protocols for fishers, martens, and other carnivore species throughout the southern Sierra Nevada.

10% Download, sort, and identify species in trail camera photos and identify species based on tracks collected on track plates. Inventory and archive all field data including genetic samples, track sheets, and trail camera photos. Conduct field data entry, proofing and summarization using tablets and laptop computers.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

The crew members will work independently, driving to remote areas of public land (i.e., USFS) on dirt and gravel roads and will hike on and off-trail through rugged terrain to set and maintain sampling stations. Sampling efforts will occasionally require working non-standard hours, including early mornings and late evenings. Crew members may be expected to work some overtime hours with supervisor approval and employee interest in order to achieve project goals.

Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted on the employment profile with education and work history along with any other requested documentation i.e. posting specific question responses, transcripts, etc. Your profile MUST clearly show how you meet the minimum/required qualifications for the position. Resumes are NOT accepted at the application stage for this position.

Cover letters are optional for this position and will not be used for evaluating your qualifications.

Equivalent required experience is based on full-time equivalent (40 hours per week).

PLEASE NOTE: If you have volunteer experience relevant to this position, please include in the Employment History section and note length of time, average number of hours per week and major duties.

Typically, the starting salary is at the lower end of the salary range.

For additional information please contact: Stephanie Eyes at Stephanie.Eyes@usda.gov

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu