Summer Research Assistant: Grassland Insect Ecology Job Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic and hard-working individual to assist in all aspects of research on grassland insect and rangeland ecology at the USDA- ARS, Northern Plains Agriculture Research Laboratory in Sidney, MT. Research looks at how fire and livestock grazing can reduce grasshopper outbreaks, how grasshoppers affect grassland health and livestock grazing sustainability, and how drought and predators affect grasshopper outbreaks. Work may include sampling grasshoppers and other rangeland insects in large scale experiments, sampling rangeland plants, and setting up and conducting small scale manipulative experiments in the field. Most field work will be conducted on diverse and beautiful native rangelands in eastern Montana and on the Little Missouri National Grassland in western North Dakota. Some overnight travel to sites in eastern Montana and Wyoming will be required.
Salary: $11.17 to $12.19 per hour (GS-2 to GS-3) dependent on experience and education, plus overtime pay at time and a half. Dorm-style housing is available on location for $131 per month, including utilities. Dates: Mid-May through the end of September. Please specify your available start and end dates in your application. Qualifications: You must be physically fit, able to walk rapidly over rangeland, and comfortable spending long hours outside in hot conditions. Willingness to work long days, and some weekends when necessary is also a must. Undergraduate course work in ecology, entomology, range or environmental sciences, and previous field work experience is preferred but not required. Application process: If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a cover letter explaining your interest in the job; a resume describing relevant experience and college classes; names and contact information for two professional references; to Nicole Davidson (nicole.david...@ars.usda.gov). Evaluation of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information on the grasshopper research program visit: www.ars.usda.gov/npa/nparl/dbranson or contact us directly.
