Job Type: Temporary
Salary Details: $15.59-22.62

Position Description
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, seasonal Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 (BSRT2) positions in the Northwestern Bat Hub. This position is based in Bend, Oregon, however housing and fieldwork locations will be primarily in Washington.

The purpose of these seasonal positions is to assist with bat research and monitoring projects across the Pacific Northwest. Duration of seasonal employment is based on project needs; the position is expected to last 4 months from approximately mid-May to mid-September.

This position will serve as the crew lead for one of three statewide bat acoustic monitoring endeavors. Fieldwork will take place across the entirety of Washington. Field tasks include, but are not limited to navigating remote and rugged terrain, assessing land ownership of survey sites, selecting ideal locations for bat detection, deploying bat acoustic monitors, hiking off-trail in rugged terrain, communicating with private landowners and agency partners regarding site access, and accurately recording site characteristics.

The BSRT2 provides technical support for field operations to meet project objectives. This includes determining bat detector locations, planning field surveys to efficiently meet sample size goals, implementing quality assurance during surveys (e.g., troubleshooting bat detector operation), and providing direction to student technicians. All positions are subject to available funding.

Position Duties
75% Field Research Project Operations

  • Assist research project leaders (i.e., the PI or HERS Lab Bat Hub Coordinator or directors) with conducting and managing field surveys for bats using acoustic detection equipment or other methods throughout Oregon, Washington, or Idaho following standardized protocols. The BSRT3 may adapt equipment and procedures (e.g., troubleshoot) using technical expertise, to meet specific research project needs.
  • Determine bat detector locations within focal study areas using a variety of spatial tools (e.g., digital maps and apps on electronic devices or paper maps) and field reconnaissance
  • Deploy bat detectors and retrieve equipment
  • Determine access to survey locations, including interacting with landowners as needed
  • Navigate to and between survey locations in remote locations
  • Schedule when surveys will be conducted to meet sample size goals within field sampling period
  • Establish team campsites. Camping will be required while conducting survey work and some equipment may be provided by OSU. A camping per diem will be provided and camping fees will be reimbursed.
  • Comply with OSU safety protocols and implement safety procedures including the use of satellite communication devices
  • Navigate to remote survey locations by driving (often on unmaintained roads) and hiking through remote and rugged terrain using GPS and/or maps and compass
  • Collect data at survey sites such as location, habitat type, and site characteristics
  • Troubleshoot detector operation and deployment
  • Upload and manage data on laptop and backup to external hard drives
  • Provide feedback on the status of field surveys to the Bat Hub Coordinator on a weekly basis

10% Office Duties

  • Plan survey schedule using spatial tools and complete itineraries for fieldwork
  • Deliver external hard drives to project leaders and ensure proper data organization
  • End of season gear management, maintenance, and organization

10% Overall Lab Project Support

  • As part of a team, the BSRT3 will instruct one or more undergraduate student technicians on technical research procedures
  • Assign tasks to student technicians for successful survey implementation and data collection
  • 5% Other Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications    
Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

At least two seasons of experience working as a field technician on wildlife or other natural resources or ecological field study projects including:

  • Working outdoors under varying environmental and weather conditions (e.g., heat, heavy rain)
  • Hiking with heavy packs (up to 45 lbs.) through rugged terrain
  • Navigating in the backcountry using GPS devices and maps
  • Operating 4WD vehicles on unmaintained roads
  • Collecting field data following standardized protocols and data forms
  • Managing field data for delivery to supervisory staff
  • Working with field electronics
  • Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and file explorer
  • At least one season of experience as a field crew lead with responsibilities in running field operations in remote settings including making daily plans, delegating tasks to crew members, and problem solving.
  • Strong communication and organization skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team in remote locations.
  • Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
  • Creative problem solving and critical thinking.
  • Ability to maintain positive attitude despite challenging circumstances.
  • Experience hiking and camping in the backcountry.

The incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

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 University Policy 05-030.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

  • At least one season of experience in bat acoustic detector operation and maintenance, e.g., Pettersson, Anabat, and Wildlife Acoustics bat detectors.
  • Experience working with mobile data collection technologies, e.g., using Collector/Field Maps or Survey123 on mobile devices.
  • Experience building items for scientific experiments and field studies (e.g., constructing support structures with PVC and rebar).
    Working Conditions / Work Schedule    
    Crews will work an 8-6 schedule. This means working 8 ten-hour days, and then taking 6 days off. The 8 work days will be spent driving to remote locations, hiking to field sites, and camping.
  • Applicants must be FLEXIBLE in when and where they will be working given changing field conditions and project needs.
  • Fieldwork often occurs in difficult weather conditions (e.g., hot), sometimes involving tough hikes with heavy packs containing recording equipment and deployment gear.
  • Long drives will be required between field sites.
  • Crews will often be disbursed camping or camping in remote backcountry campsites.

The Bat Hub will provide field crews with tents, backpacks, camp stoves, and fuel for camp stoves. Crew members will need to provide any additional camping supplies they require.

HOW TO APPLY
Apply at https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/137049