The Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism is hiring four research assistants to assist with several visitor use monitoring and management projects throughout southeastern Utah. Specific duties include conducting on-site surveys with outdoor recreationists at various outdoor recreation access points (trailheads, forest roads, lakes/reservoirs, boat ramps, etc.) throughout the Manti-LaSal National Forest as well as at state parks and state lands on the Colorado River. The data collected through the survey efforts will be used by the USDA National Forest Service, Utah State Parks, and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to track visitation patterns and trends, estimate visitors' economic impact, evaluate the condition of outdoor recreation settings and outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Specific duties include but are not limitied to: conducting on-site surveys with outdoor recreationists at various outdoor recreation access points (trailheads, forest roads, lakes/reservoirs, boat ramps, etc.) throughout the Manti-LaSal National Forest as well as at state parks and state lands on the Colorado River.

The bulk of work required is interacting with outdoor recreationists and conducting face-to-face interviews, sometimes as many as forty per day. These positions may require the research assistants to spend large amounts of time alone, sometimes in very remote areas in varying weather conditions. These positions may also require the research assistant to camp alone in remote areas for multiple days. Because of these factors, it is imperative that the research assistants be able to navigate through remote, unfamiliar, and sometimes rough areas, and be comfortable camping alone and spending multiple days in the field.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must be

1. motivated

2. very organized

3. self-sufficient

4. great problem solvers

5. safety conscious

6. enjoy talking and interacting with people whom they are unfamiliar

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resumeto be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

This position requires moderate physical activity, including the handling of average weight objects up to 25 pounds and/or standing or walking more than four hours per day.  Employees are exposed to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.  The work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov