Professional Aide

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Unit Position Summary

Field Research Technicians needed to help implement research activities to evaluate ecological outcomes of oak forest management. This project is administered through the Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Michigan State University, and is a collaborative effort with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division.

The Research Technician will maintain and collect field data throughout the summer growing season (May–August) in upland oak forest ecosystems across southern Michigan State Game Areas and State Parks. Primary responsibilities include preparing for and conducting quantitative woody and herbaceous vegetation sampling using standard forestry and plant survey methods (e.g., quadrat, transect). Specific duties include compiling plant species lists, providing descriptions of survey areas, capturing GPS data including survey locations and survey tracks, taking quality site and species photos, and entering data into spreadsheets. Secondary responsibilities include deployment and maintenance of remote cameras and acoustic recording units at survey sites.

Familiarity and comfort with working and navigating in remote wilderness locations are desired. The Research Technician will be working in groups of two to four surveyors, so the candidate must be comfortable working collaboratively within a field research team. This position requires daily travel from the East Lansing MSU campus to field sites across southern Michigan using USGS or university-owned vehicles. Occasional overnight travel might be required and during these overnight trips (which could last 1–3 days), lodging and travel will be provided. Occasional weekend work may be required.

Required Qualifications:

1. Ability to conduct long days of strenuous fieldwork under adverse conditions (e.g., biting insects, heat) throughout southern Michigan, including working in remote areas and difficult terrain (proficiency with map reading, navigating with a compass).
2. Intermediate to expert botanical skills in the identification of Michigan plant species.
3. Responsible, honest, self-sufficient, ability to lift and carry research materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs.

Desired Qualifications

1. Experience conducting field-based ecological studies, especially those involving vegetation sampling, mapping, and monitoring.
2. Understanding of standard forest measurements (i.e., basal area sweeps, canopy closure, tree size class estimation, tree diameter, and age determination using an increment borer).
3. Commitment to natural resource conservation, and respect for property ownership, scientific credibility, and reliable data.
4. Experience interacting and working collaboratively within a field research team.

Hourly rate: 

• $15 to $20/hour

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Letter of interest (1 page max), CV, contact information (email and/or phone) for three references.

Special Instructions

Applications in PDF format

Work Hours

10-hr day, 4 days per week (weather dependent) Some weekends

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/