This recruitment will be used to fill four 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 the Sierra Nevada in California.

The incumbent will support conducting broad-scale monitoring for three federally-listed amphibian species across ten national forests in the Sierra Nevada. These listed species were historically abundant but are now greatly reduced in both distribution and abundance. The Yosemite toad and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog are endemic to the Sierra Nevada, and the southern mountain yellow-legged frog occurs only in the southern Sierra Nevada and in southern California. Understanding range-wide population status and trend are critical for effective conservation and management of these species. These broad-scale monitoring data are relied upon for developing management and conservation measures and for project planning and consultation. Oregon State University (OSU) will work closely with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to implement this monitoring.

The incumbent will be part of a crew of eight that will conduct field work in pairs. The incumbent will receive instruction, guidance and training from crew leaders and a field coordinator. The incumbent will focus primarily on conducting visual encounter surveys for the focal species in meadow, lake, and stream habitats, and collecting specific habitat data. The incumbent is expected to conduct accurate data collection according to the field protocol. The incumbent will learn to identify all life stages of amphibian species in the Sierra Nevada. The incumbent will backpack long distances in high elevations in mountain terrain for up to 8 consecutive days.

These physically demanding duties, primarily in remote locations, will provide the incumbent with rewarding exposure to California’s backcountry. This position requires backpacking for up to 8-day trips per work tour at high altitudes, over distances up to 25 miles, in steep and rugged terrain, as well as off-trail hiking on a daily basis. Also required is extensive driving long distances throughout the Sierra Nevada, on highways and forest roads, on both paved and unpaved roads, and in rugged terrain using 4-wheel drive. This position requires a high level of physical fitness (capable of hiking 5-15 miles off-trail/day at high altitudes) and ability to cope with strenuous field conditions that include hot and cold temperatures, steep terrain, high altitudes, 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 8 consecutive nights (with 6-day breaks) for most of the field season. No survey locations are near the crew office and housing. Thus, technicians will be camping for most of the field season, primarily in the backcountry, but also occasionally in developed campgrounds and dispersed camping sites. Field technicians will work throughout the season in pairs but may on occasion work independently. The project will provide field gear (e.g., wading shoes, waders), group gear (e.g., stoves, water filters, pots) and some camping gear (e.g., backpacks, sleeping pads, tents, bear containers for food), but sleeping bag, field clothes, rain gear, hiking boots must be provided by field technicians. The field crew will receive field per diem for overnight travel days to buy food. When not camping for work and on days off, housing will be provided near Sonora, 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 freeways or remote, narrow, paved and unpaved roads sometimes using 4-wheel drive on rocky, loose, rutted, hilly terrain. Backpack, hike, and navigate on and off trail in rugged field conditions to survey aquatic habitats (lakes, meadows, streams) for amphibians.

60% – Collect ecological field data following detailed field protocols on three federally-listed amphibian species in remote locations across ten national forests in the Sierra Nevada.

10% Organize for field tour with tasks such as trip planning, field gear organization, safety protocols, and end of field tour tasks such as uploading data, photos, field gear disinfection and organization, and administrative tasks.

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 incumbent will typically work with a crew leader but also may independently survey sites during the day. The incumbent will drive to remote areas of public land (i.e., USFS) on highways, and dirt and gravel roads, and will backpack and/or hike on and off-trail through rugged high elevation terrain to survey aquatic habitats. Crews will typically work 10-hour days from 0830-1900 for 8 consecutive days (with 6-day breaks). With this schedule, crews will work every other weekend. Sampling efforts will occasionally require working non-standard hours including early mornings and late evenings, and some holidays. The incumbent 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: Cathy Brown at Catherine.Brown@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