Location: Field sites across northern Idaho and northwestern Montana Duration: May-early July 2018, possible extension through August 17 Employer: University of Idaho
Project Description: Three technician positions are available to work on a project examining vegetation diversity and pollinator habitat in transmission right-of-ways across the Northern Rockies of northern Idaho and northwestern Montana. ROWs on the westside of the Northern Rockies are often composed of a rich vegetation diversity due to high annual moisture and deep deposits of volcanic ash. Without active management, areas quickly become dominated by conifer trees that can intefere with transmission lines and shade out diverse understory vegetation. These high-light early successional communities are in decline across the region, making ROW corridors prime areas for supporting vegetation diversity and promoting pollinator habitat. Various integrated vegetation management treatments have been applied to promote desirable low-growing shrubs and other vegetation that benefits pollinators and exclude conifers. Duties: Technicians will work in a team to identify all vegetation to the species level and estimate cover by species in vegetation quadrats located across the ROWs. It can still be rainy and cool in May and June across the region, so technicians should be prepared to work in all weather conditions. Required Qualifications: (a) Ability to identify trees, shrubs, forbs, and ferns to the species level in the moist forests of northern Idaho and northwestern Montana (b) Ability to use taxonomic keys, (c) Ability to work in a range of conditions (hot and sunny to cool and rainy), (d) Ability to carry at least 25 lbs, (d) Possess a valid Driver's License and provide a 3 year Driving Record, and (e) Ability to pass a criminal background check. Pay Rate: 1 crew leader @ $16/hr, 2 assistants @ $14/hr Application Information: To apply for the position, please send a single pdf document to Dr. Andrew Nelson ([email protected]) by March 16 including (1) cover letter outlining discussing your experience and interest in the position (indicate if interested in crew leader or assistant, (2) a resume with most relevant previous employment, (3) email and phone numbers of at least 2 professional references.
