FIELD TECHNICIAN
University of Washington, School of Environmental & Forest Sciences
Web Address: http://www.cfr.washington.edu/
Job Location: Seattle, WA
Posting Date: January 29, 2019
Closing Info: Open until filled
Salary: $3000-3150 per month, 40 hours per week (Overtime Eligible)
Duration: 9 months, (March 25, 2019 – December 25, 2019)
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 in Utah, and post-fire tree damage inventory on a subset of prescribed burn units in eastern Washington. This data will be used to assess fuel consumption and tree damage and evaluate the over-all predictive capability of fuels and fire behavior models. Plot data collection includes identification and physical measurements of trees, understory plants, and decaying vegetation.
Key Requirements
- Positions require a valid state driver’s license.
- Positions may have medical qualification requirements.
- You must be 18 years of age or older prior to appointment.
- These positions have no promotion potential.
Work Environment
This position will require outdoor work in conditions that may include steep and rough terrain, dense vegetation, inclement weather, and insects. Field work may include physical exertions, such as, walking in steep terrain, lifting and carrying measurement equipment and samples, working in inclement weather, exposure to smoke during prescribed fires, or similar activities. Individuals should be capable of working alone, or with other people, during early morning to evening hours. Field work will require travel for extended periods of 7 to 14 days. Field work is often scheduled with little or no notice. Accommodations may include camping, hotels, or common living spaces such as barracks or house rentals.
Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for collecting and processing data regarding the effects of prescribed fire and silvicultural treatments on the cover, biomass, distribution, and consumption of fuels and tree mortality. Specific responsibilities include:
- Following safety protocols and fostering a safe working environment.
- Careful and accurate collection of field data for research purposes prior to, during, and after treatment (e.g., prescribed fire or silvicultural operations).
- Sorting, drying, and weighing biomass and fuel moisture samples in field and laboratory settings using methods to minimize errors.
- Data entry and quality assurance reviews.
- Maintaining detailed records of field activities to inform research methodology.
Qualifications
Required
- At least 90 days experience conducting field work related to natural sciences.
- At least 12 credit hours of coursework in natural resources or biology.
Desired
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) incident management qualification.
- NWCG S-212 (or equivalent) chainsaw certification
- First Aid/CPR (or higher) training
Application Instructions
Interested applicants must submit the required application materials as pdf or MS Word attachments in an email to Joe Restaino (restaino@uw.edu). The position will remain open until filled.
Required Application Materials
- Resume
- Transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)
- List and contact information for 3 professional references
Those desiring further information about the position should contact:
Joseph Restaino
School of Environmental and Forest Sciences
University of Washington
PO Box 352100
Seattle, WA 98195-2100
Email: restaino@uw.edu
Phone: (530) 903 – 2067