Web Address:            http://www.sefs.washington.edu/

Job Location:            Seattle, WA

Closing Info:              Open until filled

Salary:                        $3500-4000/month, 40 hours per week, Overtime Eligible

Duration:                   9 months, September, 2019 – June, 2019 (with potential to extend)

 

Position Purpose

This incumbent leads a small crew in 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. One project will focus on three-dimensional characterization of wildland fuels in multiple locations across the country, including the Rocky Mountain region and the south eastern United States. Another project will focus on pre and post-fire fuels inventories in prescribed burn units in central Utah. The aim of a third project will be to characterize fuels in grasslands in the south sound region of Washington.  These data will be used to assess fuel consumption evaluate the overall predictive capability of fuel consumption and fire behavior models. Plot data collection includes tree measurements, vegetation measurements and identification, and above and below-ground fuel quantification and classification. There will likely be opportunities to participate in other fire research projects throughout the season.

 

Key Requirements

  • Position requires a valid state driver’s license.
  • Position may have medical qualification requirements.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older prior to appointment.
  • This position has no promotion potential.

 

Work Environment

This position will require outdoor work in remote locations, with conditions that may include steep and rough terrain, dense vegetation, inclement weather, and insects. Field work may include physical exertion, 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. Accommodations may include camping, hotels, or common living spaces such as barracks or house rentals.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for collecting, managing, 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, in both field and laboratory settings
  • 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.
  • Supervising field technicians while in the field and office.
  • Managing field work logistics such as arranging lodging and transportation, efficient packing and shipping of field supplies and samples, acquiring, maintaining and organizing of field gear both in the warehouse and in the field

 

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 qualification (red card)
  • Wilderness First Aid Certification
  • Wildland Fire Chainsaw Use (S212) Certification
  • Previous supervisory experience in a field setting
  • Previous experience using standard wildland fuel measurement protocols

 

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the required application materials as pdf or MS Word attachments in an email to Deborah Nemens (dnemens@uw.edu).

Required Application Materials

  • Resume
  • Transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)
  • Contact information for 3 professional references

 

Those desiring further information about the position should contact:

 

Deborah Nemens

School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

University of Washington

PO Box 352100

Seattle, WA 98195-2100

Email: dnemens@uw.edu

Phone: 503-734-9659