Employer University of Vermont - Silviculture and Applied Forest Ecology Lab Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills Project: The University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking 3-4 undergraduate field technicians and 1 crew lead to assist on field studies examining the impacts of climate change and invasive species and associated adaptive forest management strategies on northern hardwood, mixedwood, spruce-fir, and fire-dependent forests in various locations across Vermont. Field technicians would work with multidisciplinary teams of graduate students and scientists from the University of Vermont, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dartmouth College, The Nature Conservancy, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation, Green Mountain National Forest, and The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.Crews will train with staff and state agency personnel to learn the data collection protocols, methods, and techniques. Following training, crews will be responsible for planning daily trips, maintaining equipment, traveling to and from field sites, and conducting field work. In addition to these responsibilities, the crew leader will also be responsible for managing a safe and inclusive work environment, relaying consistent communications between supervisor and field crew, and making decisions in the field for the crew.Physical Demands Field-based roles typically involve data collection in remote locations with little to no cellular service. Crews will face challenging field conditions, including high temperatures, biting insects and heavy rainfall. Daily hikes of up to 5 miles while carrying up to 20 pounds will be required. Primary responsibilities:Conduct forest inventory data, including overstory tree measurements, vegetation and regeneration surveys, coarse woody material assessmentsConduct survival monitoring, maintenance and competition control of planted seedlingsRoutine maintenance and operation of brush saws for clearing vegetationNavigate to field sites using GPS and mapsEnsure accuracy and consistency in data collection and managementCollaborate with team members to support research goalsFor Crew Lead, maintaining communication with monitoring coordinator while out in the fieldRequired QualificationsAcademic background in forestry, ecology or related fieldsStrong knowledge of forest inventory techniques and tree species identification preferredPhysically capable of hiking and conducting daily field work in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions (heat, rain, biting insects)Crew lead applicants should have leadership experience and advanced field skillsValid driver’s license required Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location Detail: Location: Vermont, based out of Burlington, VT, field vehicle provided, housing NOT provided Start date: May 19th, 2025 End date: August 14th, 2025 Anticipated hours: 13 weeks, 40 hours per week (Mon-Thurs, 10 hours days) Salary: Compensation: $18-20 for crew members DOE, $20-22 for crew lead DOE Job Benefits: Position DetailsSupervision: Field Technicians will work primarily with their designated crew members, and occasionally with personnel from collaborating agencies and Silviculture and Forest Ecology lab members. Interested candidates should e-mail a single PDF with cover letter describing their background, qualifications and interests along with a résumé and two references with subject line "Silv Crew – Your Name" to Grace Smith(grace.smith@uvm.edu). Please indicate in your email if you would like to be considered for the Crew Leader position and/or GMNF Technician (see below). Review will begin January 2025 on a rolling basis. Positions remain open until they are filled. All interviews will be conducted remotely using Microsoft TeamsOne (1) field technician needed for GMNF fire-adapted ecosystem researchFire is an important ecological and cultural component of many northeastern forests. Shifts in fire regimes, mostly through suppression over the last century have resulted in increased mesophication of these forests, with conversion of many of these unique habitats into shade tolerant forests with reduced abundance of ecologically and culturally significant species dependent on fire for maintaining their populations. These forest type conversions have wide-ranging ecosystem and cultural effects. Federal lands with at-risk forest types and habitats are threatened by the lack of fire. We propose to intensively sample threatened stands across biophysical settings on the Green Mountain National Forest supporting these ecosystems. From this effort, we will (1) describe current vegetation and tree growth and recruitment patterns in an array of forest types, and (2) develop management recommendations Application Deadline: Fri, 02/28/2025 - 12:00pm Link to Full Job Posting: https://site.uvm.edu/tdamato/?page_id=40
