Job Type: Full-time or part-time, on-site
Location: University of Idaho - Bozeman, MT
Pay: $20.30/hour (or higher, depending on experience)
Application Deadline: This position is open until filled. Priority will be given to applicants who have submitted their materials by March 17th, 2026.
Description:
Position is a collaboration between the University of Idaho, the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, and National Forest System Region 5. It coordinates and leads the Fire Behavior Assessment Team (FBAT), which supports National Forest and incident command teams with pre-, active-, and post-fire monitoring on wildfires. FBAT members are on-call professionals from federal agencies and academia. Duties include office and field work, focused on 2026 fire-season monitoring in California’s Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains. The position is full time or part time (negotiable) based in Bozeman, MT (preferred), or Moscow, ID, with travel to Redding, CA and wildfire assignments.
Performs research activities and analysis; implements and evaluates research procedures and data. Records observations and measurements then reports results. Responsible for analyzing and preparing results for publication. Works under general supervision with a certain degree of creativity and latitude. May supervise junior research personnel.
Duties may include:
Provide technical support in planning and/or designing of scientific projects, studies, or applications
Plan and conduct research and analysis of scientific data
Interpret test results and comparing with determined standards and limits
Identify and evaluating scientific samples and determining need for further testing
Develop recommendations and/or providing solutions, standards, and protocol to a wide range of difficult problems
Plan, design, develop, monitor and/or evaluate portions of a scientific project, study, or application
Provide scientific evaluations/assessments
Research, implement, standardize, and evaluate new procedures
Maintain detailed records of results and prepares written reports acceptable to the Principal Investigator and funding agencies
Other duties as assigned
Required Experience:
Two years of post-bachelor’s research experience related to the domain of this position
Required Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in ecology, environmental science, soils, hydrology, zoology, wildlife, resource management, forestry
Required Other:
Previous or current NWCG Wildland Fire qualifications at FFT2 or above
Valid US Driver’s License
Wildland fire qualifications that are either current or can be renewed
Ability to travel
Ability to work non-standard business hours
Additional Preferred:
MSc (strongly preferred) in ecology, environmental science, soils, hydrology, zoology, wildlife, resource management, forestry, etc., with a field research component, or a BSc plus two years of additional experience in one of these fields
Prior experience conducting statistical data analysis
Prior experience developing written reports based on monitoring or research data
Experience with running and developing programs in R
Experience building electronic surveys using ESRI’s Survey123
Experience using ArcGIS and Federal datasets and applications such as FACTs, FTEM, FVS, WFDSS, and RMA dashboard
Facility with electronics, including ability to troubleshoot and repair measurement instruments and devices
Experience in wildfire and/or prescribed fire operations
Demonstrated oral, written, or audio-visual communication skills
Demonstrated leadership experience
Demonstrated ability to work well independently and within a team
Familiarity with field-based vegetation and fuels measurements
Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail while performing repetitive tasks
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
Safely operate motor vehicles including 4WD trucks
Lift, carry or otherwise move up to 45 pounds
Hike/walk in steep and uneven terrain in wildfire-affected areas in potentially inclement weather conditions
Perform work in an office environment
