Position: The U.S. Geological Survey is hiring three field technicians, as Student Service Contractors. The technicians will work as a group that travels from site to site throughout the Northern Great Plains to collected field data. The main task will include collecting vegetation and soil samples from wetland sites. The position will be physically challenging, include working in waders, carrying heavy sampling equipment, and walking for distances up to 1 mile.

Professional development: The technicians will become members of a multi-institutional science team made up of graduate students, assistant and associate professors, private NGO scientists, and USGS technicians and senior scientists. The technicians will develop field sampling and data collection skills relevant to future jobs in ecological research and management, including: logistical planning, land-owner outreach, field equipment use and maintenance, data organization and records keeping, and operating cutting-edge technology.

Dates: Two technicians will work late May to late August for an approximate 13-week field season . One technician will work mid April to late September. Exact starting and ending dates are flexible. There may be opportunity to extend contracts after the end of the field season.

Location and travel: Training will be in Jamestown, North Dakota at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. After training, technicians will travel to field sites across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Iowa, and Nebraska. Candidates will move periodically (2-4 weeks) over the course of the field season.

Housing: Housing will be provided and paid for by the project during field travel (~75% of days). Bunk housing is available in Jamestown for a reduced cost. Travel housing will include rented homes, campers, hotels, or dorms while at field sites.

Qualifications: Previous field experience is preferred, but not required. Preferred candidates will have some experience with ecology-based fieldwork or working/recreating outdoors, particularly in wetlands. Experience identifying plants or driving large trucks with trailers is a plus.

Requirements: Candidate must 1) be a current student or within 12 months following graduation, 2) a U.S citizen or Green Card holder, and 3) have a valid driver’s license.