Are you looking for an opportunity to gain field and research experience related to the ecology and management of rangeland ecosystems? The Rangeland Resources Research Unit with USDA-ARS will be hiring a paid summer intern in 2016. The position will be based in Fort Collins, CO, and involve daily travel to the Central Plains Experimental Range to collect vegetation data from a novel agro-ecology experiment. This project will be managed primarily by the intern with active mentoring from Dr. Porensky. Interested applicants should email lauren.poren...@ars.usda.gov with a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript.
More details are below and on this website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Careers/docs.htm?docid=8536 Where: Fort Collins, Colorado, Rangeland Resources Research Unit Pay: $13.92/hour, full-time for 8 weeks. Start and end dates and schedule are somewhat flexible. Mentor Scientist: Dr. Lauren Porensky; lauren.poren...@ars.usda.gov Project Description: Since 2012, the Rangeland Resources Research Unit has led a multi-institution, interdisciplinary experiment focused on collaborative Adaptive Grazing Management (AGM) for semiarid rangelands. This project is part of the Long-Term Agro-ecosystem Research (LTAR) network and addresses decision-making by a diverse stakeholder group (ranchers; public and state land managers; and conservation/environmental non-government organizations). Cattle diet selection is a key influence on production and conservation objectives in this novel study. To complement ongoing measurements of cattle distribution patterns, diet quality and animal energy use, the college-level intern is needed to take direct measurements of cattle diet selectivity in different grazing management treatments by measuring tiller defoliation of key forage plants (such as western wheatgrass, a highly preferred grass) throughout the grazing season in permanently marked plots. Preferred/Required Experience/Education of Applicant: Must have at least one year of college. Some knowledge of principles of ecology and rangeland management are required. Skill in using computers for word processing and data entry is required. Communication skills to follow directions precisely and produce positive interactions with diverse stakeholders, research personnel, and the general public are required. Experience or coursework in plant ecology, plant identification, grazing management, and monitoring and assessment are preferred. Knowledge of semiarid rangeland ecosystems and livestock management and nutrition are preferred.
