Rangeland Restoration Research Science Aid Location: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon
Position Description: We are seeking two highly motivated interns to join our rangeland research team for Summer 2015. Millions of hectares in the western United States have been negatively impacted by cheatgrass invasion, which transforms high-diversity ecosystems providing many ecosystem services into low-diversity ecosystems providing few services. Once invasion begins, cheatgrass rapidly causes increased wildfire frequency and extent. Burned sites have reduced soil quality, low plant biodiversity, little forage for livestock and wildlife, and simplified habitat structure. Moreover, burned sites are highly susceptible to further cheatgrass invasion. This project is investigating innovative techniques for reducing fire size and return interval in cheatgrass-invaded landscapes. Our goals are to determine how best to combine seed enhancement technologies, greenstripping, and targeted grazing within the framework of integrated cheatgrass control in the Western US, as well as determine how moderate grazing influences the effectiveness of greenstrips. We hope that a combination of fuel breaks and targeted grazing may be able to weaken the feedback between fire and cheatgrass invasion by reducing fire size and fire frequency, preventing the spread of cheatgrass into uninvaded areas and improving the success of restoration projects on already invaded sites. Project collaborators include the University of Nevada, Reno, the USDA-ARS Rangeland Resources Research Unit (RRRU), the Grand Canyon Trust, the Kaibab National Forest, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and others. The position involves considerable travel to some beautiful parts of the western US; research sites are located in northern Nevada, northern Arizona, and eastern Oregon. Selected applicants will help develop and evaluate new seed enhancement technologies that are designed for overcoming the limiting factors impairing rangeland reseeding success. We are currently designing seed enhancement formulations that will 1) improve seed soil contact, 2) optimize the timing of seed germination, 3) facilitate seedling emergence, 4) increase moisture availability and plant survival, and 5) and other new and innovative technologies. Research will be conducted within growth chamber, greenhouse, and field experiments. Selected applicants will also collect soil and vegetation data in the field and be responsible for quality assurance/quality control of data collected. They will keep exact, detailed records of experimental data, enter data into computer spreadsheets, and record observations of unusual happenings, phenomena or trends that might influence interpretation of plot or field data. Applicants will be supervised by Matthew Madsen (USDA-ARS) with field and logistical support from Lauren Porensky (USDA-ARS), Elizabeth Leger (University of Nevada, Reno) and Ed Grumbine (Grand Canyon Trust). Lodging at the field sites will be provided. The job includes field trips to remote areas. The work environment is about 50% in the field and 50% in the lab or office. The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks and discomforts associated with working outdoors. Throughout the year, the person may encounter snakes, livestock, insects, dust and extremes of weather. Qualifications: --Applicants with a background in environmental science, natural resources, rangeland ecology, botany, or a related discipline are preferred. --Ability to do efficient and high-quality work without direct supervision. Ability to proactively solve problems, manage tasks adaptively in order to get the job done on time, and provide suggestions for conducting future research projects. Self-motivated, hard-working, and detail oriented applicants are preferred. --Technical knowledge of plant taxonomy, structure and function of plant communities. Experience with plant field sampling techniques. Plant identification skills and knowledge of Nevada and Arizona plants are preferred. --Communication skills necessary to follow directions precisely and produce positive interactions with scientists, research personnel, and the general public. --Skill in the use of personal computers to utilized software packages such as: word processing, data entry and manipulation in spreadsheets (e.g., MS Excel and Word). --Practical knowledge of general vehicle maintenance and repair. Knowledge of safe operating procedures when using equipment or vehicles. A valid driver’s license is required. --The work requires standing, walking, bending and lifting of objects weighing as much as 50 pounds. Certain phases of the work require extended (such as most of a work day) periods of standing, sitting, squatting/kneeling or walking while accomplishing detailed experimental procedures. Some procedures require stamina and endurance. Salary and Housing: $12.07 to $15.15/hr depending on experience and/or education. Workweek is typically 40 to 50 hrs. Housing and utilities are provided at no charge at the Burns, OR, ARS research station and at field sites. USDA-ARS is an AA/EOE. To Apply: Send letter of interest, resume, and unofficial transcript to: Matthew D. Madsen Research Ecologist USDA - Agricultural Research Service 67826-A Hwy 205 Burns, OR 97720 matthew.mad...@oregonstate.edu 541.573.8915 and copy to: Lauren Porensky Research Ecologist Rangeland Resources Research Unit USDA-ARS 1701 Centre Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80526 USA lauren.poren...@ars.usda.gov 970.492.7139
