(Temporary) Ecological Research Technician - Davis College of Agriculture

Davis College of Agriculture is now accepting applications for a forest ecology, silviculture, and watershed (Temporary) Ecological Research Technician at the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF) in Parsons, WV. Applications will be accepted immediately and reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

The Fernow EF is a long-term outdoor research laboratory studying how Appalachian forests and watersheds respond to management practices. This research directly informs Forest Service management across West Virginia and the central Appalachian region.

What You'll Do

• Interns will assist with ecological monitoring on permanent research plots, maintaining field infrastructure, and assisting in the Fernow' water quality lab.
• Responsibilities include measuring vegetation within permanent plots by tallying overstory and midstory trees by diameter, vigor, and crown class; tally shrubs by species; tally advanced tree regeneration by species and size class; estimate ground cover by percentage class and species; and tally coarse woody debris.
• Additional field work to re-establish plot centers and boundaries may be required.
• This person will also work in watershed research to maintain stream gages, conduct basic site maintenance including brushing and mowing, and will conduct basic operations in the water quality lab.
• Training, supervision, and sampling protocols will be provided by Forest Service scientists and project supervisors.

Pay Grade: 10
Length of Assignment: 7.5 Months
Work Hours: 20 Hours per week

• Associates degree
• 6 months of the following is preferred:
  • Field Experience
• All equivalent work or education experience will be considered
• All requirements must be met at the time of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Interest in forestry, ecology, hydrology, environmental science, natural resources, wildlife biology, or field based environmental research.
• Strong interest in outdoor work preferred
• Demonstrated attention to detail and reliability

Valid Driver's License

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