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Faculty Research Assistant

Oregon State University

Faculty Research Assistant

Oregon State University

Department: Institute Natrl Res Dir (RNR)

Appointment Type: Academic Faculty

Job Location: Portland

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.

Job Summary:

The Institute for Natural Resources invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of Director. This position is located in Portland, Oregon.

This position is focused on the development of more efficient and scientifically robust broad scale wildlife monitoring for the U.S. Forest Service. The person in this position will work closely with the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Multiregional Mesocarnivore Monitoring Program and the USFS Region 5, as well as regional forests and partners to plan and implement broad scale monitoring efforts that may span multiple National Forests or states. This position will lead development of novel databases, data collection tools, data storage solutions, and increase efficiency of data reporting to meet these objectives. Additionally, this position will also work to develop a suite of tools to help implement monitoring plans and deliver monitoring results. This effort will largely focus on monitoring federally listed or USFS sensitive forest mesocarnivores, birds, and amphibians but may also consider a larger array of wildlife and fish.

This position will develop scripts to automate monitoring reporting to facilitate more rapid dissemination of monitoring results to National Forest managers. They will also assist in scripting analyses for broad-scale monitoring data to monitor species trends or responses to active management using a variety of analytical techniques. The tasks for this position are complex and require advanced skills in computer coding (R, Python) and extensive experience with a variety of spatial data collection techniques particularly with the ESRI ArcGIS online platform used by the Forest Service. This position requires the ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative to build creative solutions to meet project objectives.

The incumbent will also assist with collaboratively managing research projects in the western US. This position is responsible for assisting in managing a field crew and participating in monitoring field work. Monitoring activities may include deploying baited hair sampling stations, track plates, and trail cameras, acoustic recorders, snow surveys or other associated monitoring surveys. The incumbent will also assist with data organization and summary, spatial and statistical analyses, and writing reports, manuscripts, and proposals for this and other projects.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world

• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

• 7 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

• 217k+ alumni worldwide

• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State's beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America's best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

• Retirement savings paid by the university.

• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

Key Responsibilities

75% - The incumbent is expected to lead the development of novel databases, data collection tools, data storage solutions to facilitate broad scale monitoring strategies for the US Forest Service. The incumbent will help design and implement analyses of broad scale monitoring data, and lead or assist with any associated publications or reports.

10% - The incumbent is expected to provide lead work for conservation research projects, long-term programs, and new initiatives as they are undertaken. The incumbent will work with their immediate supervisor to recruit, hire, lead, and train field staff and manage project data to ensure data accuracy. Will plan, assign, and approve work of field staff during field season.

10% - The incumbent will seek out and participate in professional development activities that increase their skillsets and continue their personal education.

5% - The incumbent will collaborate with INR and external colleagues to prepare and submit grant proposals for future funding.

What You Will Need

• Master's degree in wildlife biology, ecology or a related field

• Advanced programming skills in the statistical platform R and working knowledge of the Python coding language

• Advanced skills in using ArcGIS online (AGOL), Field Maps, and the suite of other associated ESRI products

• Database management and development skills required

• Experience with broad-scale monitoring survey techniques including camera traps, snow tracking, eDNA snow sampling and non-invasive genetic sampling required

• Experience with camera trap data management including use of AI based photo tagging platforms

• Experience with US Forest Service FACTs and NRM databases

• Proficient in applicable software to create and manipulate databases, perform statistical analyses, present data, write reports and manuscripts

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Ability to foster a diverse and inclusive research environment.

This position requires the ability to drive a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

• At least 2 field seasons of applied wildlife research experience

• Understanding of broader conservation biology and natural resources issues in the western U.S. desired

• Experience working with U.S. Forest Service land managers and state wildlife agencies is desired

• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity at OSU

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

The incumbent will work in an office or home-office setting for most of the year. When in the field prior to and during the field season, the incumbent will work independently with a small team, driving to remote areas of public (e.g., USDA Forest Service) and private property (e.g., privately-owned timberlands) on dirt and gravel roads. The incumbent will hike on and off-trail through rugged terrain carrying up to 50 pounds of sampling supplies to conduct monitoring surveys. Sampling efforts will occasionally require working non-standard hours, including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact: Sean.Matthews@oregonstate.edu

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6585045

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