2026 Range Ecology Technician

Juniper Woodland and Shrub Steppe Ecology

Job Title: Range Ecology Technician

Start Date: Flexible, May/June, 2026

End Date: Flexible, August/Sept, 2026; 10 to 12 weeks of employment guaranteed.

Location: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon.

Number of Positions Available: 3

Job Description: Techs work with the research scientists. Fieldwork consists of ecological studies with emphasis on plant succession, plant community composition, post-fire ecology, and soil surveys. 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 mainly remote areas of southeastern Oregon. Office and lab work is chiefly 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 in sagebrush steppe.
• There will be opportunities to work on other scientists’ research projects.

Requirements: Undergraduates or graduates in ecology, botany, soils, wildlife, animal science or other natural resource fields. Must be able to hike over steep and rough terrain; lift/pack up to 50 lbs.; and able to squat/kneel for extended periods of time for sample collection. Expertise using spreadsheets and GIS a plus. Applicants must be US citizen, have a valid driver’s license (Real ID is now required) and pass federal background checks.

Salary, housing, etc: Depending on experience and status (graduate or undergrad); GS3 ($15.37/hr), GS4 ($17.27/hr), GS5 (19.33/hr). Hourly wages are from the 2025 pay scale – may be slightly higher in 2026.  Workweek is 40 hours, consisting of 4, 10-hr days, Mon-Thur. Overtime is generally required in May and June, working into Friday. Camping out 2 to 4 nights most weeks. A food allowance of $40-60/day is provided when camping overnight in the field. Housing, Wi-Fi and utilities are provided at the research station.

Hiring: We will schedule a phone interview ASAP after receiving your application materials.  Job offers are quick; often first-come, first-hired. This is a federal job so it takes up to 2-3 months to complete the hiring process.

To be hired you will need:

• Fingerprints (instructions on electronic fingerprinting will be sent to you)
• OF-306 Form, Declaration for Federal Employment (form will be emailed to you)
• Social Security Card
• Photo I.D. (real ID)
• Transcripts (non-official is fine)