Forest Ecology Field Technician

The Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Northern & Pacific Southwest Research Stations, seeks applications for field technicians on a study investigating forest resilience and carbon recovery after fire in Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forests. The crew will be responsible for re-measuring a unique network of field plots in California mixed-conifer forests where pre-, active-, and immediate post-wildfire measurements were collected. Fieldwork will consist of measuring forest structure and composition (identifying trees and shrubs to species, measuring DBH, height, crown characteristics, surface and ground fuels measurements, herbaceous cover). These data will support the overall project goals of (1) determining how pre-fire fuels and environmental factors influence fire behavior and forest carbon loss; (2) defining thresholds of forest resilience, and (3) evaluating the recovery of forest vegetation and carbon stocks. Students and post-graduates seeking field experience for a career in ecology, forestry, or related topics are encouraged to apply. We anticipate hiring one crew member to join a crew of three.

Apply online at careers.msu.edu to position #687937. Applications will be reviewed and interviews made on a rolling basis.