FACULTY RESEARCH ASSISTANT: A Temporary, Full-time Position. Pay: Commensurate with education and experience. Dates: 12 months Position.
Qual: Requires a MS in ecology or botany. At least 1 year of experience sampling shrub steppe or western grasslands vegetation. Knowledge of the ecology of the western U.S. required. Ability to rapidly learn and remember plant names is critical. Demonstrated ability to work with federal and state agency scientists and land managers is essential. 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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU 576-056-0000 et seq. Preferred Qualifications Include Familiarity with the sagebrush and shrub-steppe vegetation of southeastern Oregon preferred. Understanding of conservation biology and natural resources issues in the western US desired. Preferred qualifications also include a demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity at OSU.
Duties: The purpose of this position is to collect field information on status and trends of vegetation on BLM lands across southeastern Oregon, to manage a 5 year rangelands inventory effort, and to provide assistance to the INR-Portland Director on managing the overall ecology program at INR. The Research Assistant (Ecologist) will work with the INR-Portland Director to assure the BLM inventory program is successful, and that vegetation plot and training data are integrated initially across southeastern Oregon, and eventually across the state. They will assist in the development of a monitoring strategy for the state, and work with key federal partners to assure data needed to address critical conservation questions is available. S/he will work with INR staff and others to provide guidance to the state natural area program. The position directly supports the partnership between INR and the BLM, as well as supporting the Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse Action Plan. The position is part of the Information Program of INR, and will serve as the ecologist for Oregon’s Natural Heritage Program. 50% – Collect BLM Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Program Data (AIM) using AIM protocols in the field, and assist in coordinating the work of other INR seasonal staff working to collect this data. 15% – Work with INR Data Management Staff to assure the AIM data gets needed QA-QC, and is incorporated into needed databases and provided to the BLM. 10% – Collect accuracy assessment and vegetation map training data, initially for riparian and wetland vegetation maps, but eventually for other mapping efforts. 10% – Assist INR-Portland in the management of the Oregon Natural Areas Program, and serve as the INR representative on the Interagency Research Natural Areas Committee. Informing natural resource decision making through integrated knowledge and information. 5% – Assist with proposal development to expand the vegetation ecology work underway at INR. Work with INR remote sensing and modeling staff to help improve vegetation data in Oregon. 5% – Assist with proposal development to expand the vegetation ecology work underway at INR. 5% – Complete need reports and publications, and provide presentations, outreach and training as needed.
Appl: Apply online at https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/21763.
Contact: Oregon State University, 234 Strand Agricultural Hall · Corvallis, Oregon 97331-2208T 541.737.9918 · F 541.737.1887 · http://inr.oregonstate.edu/. Jimmy Kagan at jimmy.kagan@oregonstate.edu.