The primary responsibility of the field assistant position would be assisting my Master's research investigating the long-term effects of invasive earthworms on plant community composition in the Chippewa National Forest. The position would consist of fieldwork, including re-locating and re-establishing 30-year old releve locations, assisting with plant identification, assisting with soil identification, and assisting with earthworm sampling and identification. During all day-to-day field activities, the field assistant would be working under my supervision. The field assistant would be a member of a three to four-person crew, including myself.
Fieldwork will take place in the Chippewa National Forest from May 16th to August 10th. During the summer, popular recreational activities in the Chippewa National Forest include camping, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and birding. We will be working outside for 10 hours per day, 4 days per week. We will spend an average of 2 hours hiking to and from sampling locations each day while carrying 30-lb packs. Work will be conducted during variable weather conditions, including humidity, heat, cold, and insect swarming. We will be stationed out of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Resource Assessment Office in Grand Rapids, MN.
The field assistant will be paid a lump sum of $2,500 over the summer; half on July 1st and half on August 10th. The assistant will be responsible for securing their own housing. The field assistant will be considered an independent contractor, and will not be considered a state or federal employee.
Desired qualifications and experience:
- Self-motivated to learn field protocols and plant identification skills
- Experience maintaining accurate data records and field notes
- Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to withstand harsh field conditions while maintaining a positive attitude
Benefits:
- Experience fieldwork and research as an undergraduate student
- Learn plant identification, forest type classification, earthworm sampling techniques, earthworm identification, soil sampling, and forest orienteering skills
- Gain work experience in natural resource careers such as forest community ecology, invasive species management, natural history, botany, and long-term ecological monitoring
If interested, please send a brief cover letter and resume as soon as possible . Applications will be reviewed as they are received. I will conduct interviews, select a candidate, and notify applicants of my decision.
Best,
Genevieve (Jinny) Alexander
MS Student
Plant Ecology Lab
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill