Ecology Technician

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USDA-Agricultural Research Service

Burns, Oregon

Job Type: Full-Time (Seasonal)

Salary: $15.10 to $18.96 per hour

Start / End Dates: Start date between 04-21-25 and 05-19-25, end date 08-15-25

Number of Positions Available: 3 to 4
Job Description: Techs work with the research scientist. Fieldwork is ecological studies with emphasis in plant succession, plant community structure and composition, and post-fire ecology. Responsibilities are to assist in the collection of field data (vegetation and soils descriptions). Field work takes up about 85% of the position responsibilities.  Work is in rugged and remote areas of southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada. Office and lab work is mainly data entry and sample processing.

 

Research projects include:
  • Vegetation and soil surveys, shrub steppe communities; southeast Oregon.
  • Fire ecology in juniper woodlands and sagebrush steppe; southeast Oregon.
  • Influence of fire and grazing on vegetation succession on sagebrush steppe.
  • There will be opportunities to work on other research projects as well.

 

Salary and Housing: Depending on experience and status (graduate or undergrad); GS3 $(15.10/hr), GS4 (16.95/hr), GS5 (18.96/hr).  Hourly wages are from the 2024 pay scale – could be 2% higher in 2025.  Workweek is 40 hours, consisting of 4, 10-hr days, Mon-Fri.  Overtime is required in May and June.   A food allowance of $40-60/day is provided when camping overnights in the field. Housing, Wi-Fi and utilities are provided at the research station at no charge.

 

Hiring: I will schedule a phone interview with you ASAP after receiving your application materials.  I hire pretty quickly; often first-come, first-hired.

 

This is a federal job so it takes a couple months on the hiring process; to be hired you will need:
  1. Fingerprints (we will provide you with the necessary form (SF-87) and posted return mail)
  2. OF-306 Form, Declaration for Federal Employment (will email this too you)
  3. Social Security Card,
  4. Photo I.D. (driver’s license),
  5. Transcripts (non-official is fine)

 

To Apply: Send or email letter of interest, resume, and 3 references to the address below. List any pertinent classes in rangeland science, botany, natural resources, wildlife, and soil science. USDA is AA/EOE.

Dr. Jon Bates

EOARC-Bursn

67826-A Hwy 205

Burns, OR 97720

 

Email: Jon.bates@oregonstate.edu

Qualifications / Experience Level Required:

Undergraduates or graduates in ecology, botany, soils, wildlife, animal science or other natural resource fields. Familiar with using spreadsheets. Capable of hiking over steep and rough terrain. Camping 2 to 4 nights a week. Must be able to lift/pack up to 50 lbs and able to squat/kneel for extended periods of time for sample collection. Applicants must be US citizen and have a valid driver’s license or ID.  Applicants must pass a federal background check.

Housing: Yes

Contact:

Jon bates

5415738932

jon.bates@oregonstate.edu

Apply for This Position: jon.bates@oregonstate.edu

Application Closes: 01/20/25

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