Job Type: Full-time, on-site, seasonal
Location: Missoula, MT; Northern Rockies
Pay: $17.50-19.60/hour, plus $500 month to help cover health insurance
Application Deadline: February 24, 2026
Position Description: This opportunity is with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The Program conducts national and international cutting-edge work in wildland fire research. The Program’s scientists, technicians, and support staff continue a 60+ year legacy of proactively conducting the research we need tomorrow and into the future. By improving fundamental understanding of wildland fire and developing tools and applications, the Fire Sciences Laboratory's research increases the safety and effectiveness of fire, fuel, and smoke management and helps increase the health of our wildlands.
This position will support field data collection for several fire ecology studies led by two research ecologists at the Fire Lab. Broadly the research projects are focused on understanding fire-caused tree mortality, impacts of fuel treatments on understory vegetation and forest structure, and recovery of conifer forests following one or more disturbances such as wildfire, drought, and/or insect outbreaks. Data collection will involve assessing fire effects, measuring trees and fuels, collecting general forest stand information, and identifying understory plants to species. Research plots are located across the Northern Rockies from lower elevation dry mixed conifer forests up to high-elevation whitebark pine woodlands. This position requires long days spent outside in sometimes hot, cold, or wet conditions hiking through burned and unburned forests on sometimes steep slopes with a team of 2-3 people. The work is a combination of camping (50-70%) and day trips from Missoula, MT. Camping equipment is provided. This position is an opportunity to improve knowledge and skills related to field ecology, forestry, botany, and applied fire ecology and fuels management.
Requirements: We are looking for a candidate with a background in forestry, botany, ecology, or environmental science with an interest in applied forest ecology and natural resource management. The ideal candidate will have experience conducting field work for ecological data collection and strong skills in plant identification in the Northern Rockies and/or forestry field methods.
Dates: This position will run from May through September. There is some flexibility on start and end dates so current university students can apply.
Pay: $17.50-19.60 depending on experience with an additional stipend of $500/month to help cover costs of health insurance.
Application: Send a resume and cover letter to Kim Davis, Kimberley.davis@usda.gov. Application review will begin February 24, 2026. Direct questions to Kim Davis or Sharon Hood, Sharon.hood@usda.gov.
