2023 March 4-12. This position is for Temporary Field Technicians in the Henry Mountains desert foothills, for approximately +/- 4 days. Food will be provided, but the technician(s) will have to camp at the research site. This research project focuses on rangeland ecology, specifically, the effects of herbivores on plant communities in rangelands that are heavily managed for livestock production. This work is in collaboration with Utah State University and the Bureau of Land Management.

Duties will include removal of cattle exclusion cages, which includes removal of fence posts, wire panels, and chicken wire mesh. All fencing materials will be gathered on a trailer and hauled out of the remote study area. This portion of work will only require 4-6 days of labor (or as quickly as finished). Experience hauling a trailer and driving on rough dirt roads is preferred. 

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Interest and experience in wildlife ecology, conservation, or related field.
2. Enthusiasm for observing cute/cool animals for extended periods at a time.
3. Enthusiasm for and ability to hike long days in high heat
4. Familiar with navigation by maps, compass, and GPS.
5. Willingness to work long and irregular hours, sometimes in the summer heat and/or inclement weather.
6. Ability to work well in a small team in remote settings without reliable access to cell service (you will not be able to check in frequently, though accommodations will be made daily to do so).
7. Organized, detail-oriented, strong work ethic, and evidence of independent problem- solving/troubleshooting ability.
8. Ability to maintain a positive attitude and a growth mindset about project setbacks and/or physical exertion and discomfort.
9. Experience in outdoor leadership and/or backcountry travel, including leave-no-trace camping ethics.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Completed or near completion of a Bachelor's degree in wildlife ecology or related field.
2. Strong competency in data analysis and modeling.
3. Hiking and backpacking experience.
4. Experience identifying Utah desert plant species.
5. Knowledge of and experience with wilderness first aid techniques.
6. Flexible schedule.

Along with the online application, please attach:

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

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

This position requires moderate physical activity. Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.  

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with almost $11M in research funding annually, 61 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is one of only 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.

USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employs 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.

A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.

The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.

USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.

USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.

USU Land Acknowledgment

Please visit our website to learn about Utah State’s land acknowledgment of the eight tribes of Utah.

Notice of Non-discrimination

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 Matthew Pinner, 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

U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov

*updated 11/2022