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FERA Field Crew Member (Project/Temporary)

Employer
University of Washington
Location
Times Square, Washington, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jan 18, 2022

View more

Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Conservation science
Discipline
Forestry
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Temporary / Seasonal
The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation's premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all.

The School of Environmental and Forest Services (SEFS) has an outstanding opportunity open for a Temporary FERA Field Crew Member.

Position Purpose

This incumbent assists with the collection and processing of data for scientific research conducted by the Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team. There are multiple existing projects for field data collection. Projects include, but are not limited to, characterization of wildland fuels in multiple locations in the United States, evaluation of fuel consumption during prescribed burning, and post-fire tree mortality. These data will be used to assess fuel consumption and tree injury, and evaluate the over-all predictive capability of fuels and fire behavior models. Data collection includes identification and physical measurements of trees, shrubs, understory plants, downed woody debris, litter, and ground fuels, and collection of fuel samples for laboratory processing. Data processing tasks include categorizing, drying and weighing samples to determine dry biomass and/or fuel moisture, data entry, and data quality control/quality assurance.

Work Environment

The Incumbent will join a highly collaborative team of scientists who study wildland fuels and fire. Candidates from diverse backgrounds and traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. This position will require frequent outdoor work in conditions that may include steep and rough terrain, dense vegetation, inclement weather, smoke exposure during prescribed fires, and biting insects. Maintaining a safe working environment is essential. Individuals should be capable of working long days (~10 hours when in the field), during early morning to early evening hours. Field work will require travel for extended periods up to 21 days. Field trips often involve air travel and/or driving long distances in Forest Service or rental vehicles and are sometimes scheduled with minimal notice: candidate must be flexible with sometimes busy travel schedules. Accommodations may include camping, hotels, or common living spaces such as barracks or house rentals. While in the field, lodging and per diem for food is paid for by the employer.

Duration: Six months (January - early July 2022)

Covid-19 safety: When in the field and the lab, the incumbent must be willing to work with others and follow the lab's Covid-19 safety protocols. The current occupancy limit for the lab facility is 25 percent. Employees working in the lab and field are expected to strictly adhere to masking and physical distancing protocols, including in shared field housing. Incumbent must complete the University's Covid-19 safety training and complete a symptom attestation at the beginning of each workday. This applies to work both in the field and lab. Copies of FERA's Covid-19 safety protocols are available to candidates upon request.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts field data and sample collection (30%)

• Conducts sample processing, data entry and data quality control in laboratory (30%)

• Conducts entry of data into appropriate databases, assures data quality using established protocols. (20%)

• Assist with development of field and laboratory data collection protocols. (5%)

• Maintains laboratory equipment and purchases new supplies when directed. (10%)

• Performs related duties as required. (5%)

Minimum qualifications (three months to one year of experience):

• Experience collecting environmental data and samples in a field setting.

• Experience processing biological samples in laboratory setting.

• Experience with data entry using complex protocols.

• Demonstrated ability to work safely in remote and challenging terrain.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated attention to detail, including accurate data recording and quality control

• Ability to be flexible in the face of changing field schedules and priorities, comfortable with regular travel over extended periods

• Sincere interest in learning about and participating in in fire and smoke research.

• Wilderness First Aid certification or ability to obtain

• Position requires a valid state driver's license and clean driving record.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience collecting wildland fire fuels data in rugged environments.

• Demonstrated ability to work in active fire environments.

• National Interagency Fire Coordination Center Incident Qualification as Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2)

• Wilderness First Responder certification.

• Wildland Chainsaw Use certification (S-212 or equivalent).

Required education:

Bachelor's degree in natural resources field: forestry, ecology, biology or related field.

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter, and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.2 requires employees of higher education and healthcare institutions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.

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