Job Description

Job Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Sciences Research Technician 3 position for the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU).

This project assistant position exists to support the project PI and Co-PI, any post-doctoral fellow and graduate students, and the project coordinator on the BLM/OSU/Tribal Conservation Corps for Seeds of Success Project by leading a field crew in data collection, training, and outreach on Tribal lands in western Oregon and surrounding BLM lands. It is intended to help build capacity within western Oregon Tribal Nations. The project assistant will help the project coordinator train and supervise Community Fellows.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
60% Lead a field crew in fieldwork data collection, working on BLM land and Tribal land. Collect Assessment Inventorying and Monitoring (AIM) data per BLM protocols by establishing plots on BLM and Tribal lands and leading data collection on: cover type, % bare mineral soil, flora present by species, any species of plants present that are culturally significant to western Oregon Tribal Nations, canopy % and height, plant/forest community composition, including DBH and height of any trees present and identification by species. Conduct biodiversity assessment of all plant species present (forb, herbs, shrubs, trees. Collect soil samples and wildlife eDNA data from within plots. Set up camera traps and maintain them and collect data from them. Make seed collections using Seeds of Success protocols to be sent to the Federal Seed Repository in Bend Oregon, to be used for restoration of Tribal and Federal lands. Collect and press herbaria sampling for shipment to the Smithsonian Institute herbarium, and other herbaria.


20% Assess community ecocultural restoration needs by working with the community to identify priority areas for ecocultural restoration, scoping those sites, and doing a literature review on best practices for ecocultural restoration. Co-author the preliminary Western Oregon Tribal Ecocultural Restoration Plan, working with specific Tribal Nations, as directed by supervisor.

10% Recruit and train Community Fellows (young adults between the ages of 18-35 yrs) on field data collection. Attend Tribal events to meet with potential Community Fellows, and interact with the Tribal culture, natural resources, and education leaders to help support Tribal young adult recruitment and training as Community Fellows positions.

10% Represent the project at conferences, community gatherings, and meetings at schools pertaining to TEK, ecocultural restoration, seed growing enterprises, and grassland conservation for the purpose of outreach.
What We Require
A Bachelor’s degree in (specific area of biological science) and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level. Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.

What You Will Need
A Bachelor’s degree in a field of biological science and two years of experience related to the area of assignment at a Biological Science Research Technician 2 level. Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.
Ability to lead the work of fieldworkers.
Expertise in IK, including ethnobotany (ecology and uses of plants that are culturally significant to Western Oregon Tribal Nations), use of cultural burning, and traditional land uses.
Knowledge of PNW Tribal forestry and ecocultural practices.
Soil science and ethnobotany field skills.
Ecocultural restoration skills, including restoration of native plants.
A background of strong, positive pre-existing relationships within Tribal Nation administrators and leadership.
Emerging leadership and management skills.
Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

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 University Policy 05-030.