Fort Collins, CO

Position Title: Ecohydrological Research Technicians

Organization: USDA – Agricultural Research Service, Water Management and Systems Research Unit

Location: Fort Collins, CO

Organization Overview: The USDA-ARS Water Management and Systems Research Unit promotes resilient and sustainable water-limited agricultural production systems through irrigation and crop production field research using remote sensing, irrigation scheduling, and crop growth monitoring to manage these systems for economic benefits and environmental services. Equally, they develop simulation models and tools from field to watershed scales that extend field research and serve as decision support tools for farmers, agricultural industry, cooperative extension, and action agencies.

Position Overview: Technician will assist in the collection and processing of field data; maintenance and installation of meteorological sensors; and general labor in indoor and outdoor settings. Suggested majors are Forestry and Natural Resources, Watershed Science, Ecology, Hydrology. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Duties: The positions will support research on several different projects including mulching treatment effects on post-fire sedimentation generation, post-fire forest regeneration, ecohydrology and plant physiology. The positions will be supervised by research scientists and will provide opportunities to gain experience with hydrology; plant physiology; ecology; wildfire science; data collection, entry, and processing; and installation and maintenance of meteorological and hydrological instrumentation. Work will be primarily outdoors in mountainous areas with frequent travel through steep and rugged terrain and under potentially extreme working conditions such as high heat. Past experience with field work in similar conditions is highly desired. Work will often require strenuous physical labor.

Qualifications: 

• A valid driver’s license and U.S. citizenship is required.
• Bachelor degree or students majoring in Forestry, Natural Resources, Watershed Science, Ecology, Hydrology, or related fields preferred.
• Experience performing field work in rugged mountainous settings preferred.

Start/End Date: Early June – August

Salary/Pay: $15.93-$20.01 per hour

Application Deadline: March 22

How to Apply: Please send electronic applications with a subject line of ‘Ecohydrology technician position’. Applicants should apply via email directly to david.barnard@usda.gov and jacob.macdonald@colostate.edu by sending (1) a copy of unofficial transcripts, (2) a one-page cover letter expressing interest in the position, and (3) a resume with contact information, a list of three references, education (year and major), and work history and relevant experience.