Job Type: Full-time, on-site,

Location: Logan, UT

Salary: Minimum $44,880/yr

Position Overview:

The Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI) in the Department of Wildland Resources (WILD) at Utah State University (USU) is seeking up to three (3) energetic full-time (1.0 FTE) Research Associates (Researcher I) to advance UFRI's mission of reducing wildfire risk and promoting forest health across the state. Applicants should have experience in and be passionate about science-based forest management and providing stakeholder engagement and support. Applicants may have expertise in one or more of the following areas of interest: (1) Forest or fire ecology, management, and monitoring; (2) Socioeconomic/human dimensions of active forest management, fire risk or perceptions, or other related field; (3) Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to conduct, inform, and support forest or fire research, monitoring, and adaptive management; (4) Technical communication of forest or fire ecological research and management results to land managers and natural resource policy makers through syntheses, data summaries, and other communication/data products. Additionally, Research Associates may use their expertise to assist or lead in providing planning, operational, and/or supervisory support to UFRI's growing portfolio of projects, including: establishing and maintaining robust communication with external partners to inform needs, priorities, and opportunities; establishing research or monitoring protocols; hiring, training, and supervising seasonal crews; performing QA/QC on data and generating data summaries and visuals; maintaining and servicing field and laboratory equipment and UFRI vehicle fleet; and ordering operating supplies. Working individually and as a team, UFRI's group of Research Associates will have the opportunity to help shape and advance UFRI's growing positive impact on forest health and reduction of fire risk in Utah.

Responsibilities:

Maintain communication with UFRI leadership and external partners to identify needs and opportunities for UFRI engagement.
Work collaboratively with external partners to develop, maintain, and adjust projects.
Collect and prepare social or ecological data or information.
Operate field and laboratory equipment, and write field and laboratory manuals and procedures.
Analyze data, archive data electronically, and prepare reports and databases for internal and external audiences.
Collaborate to publish in peer-reviewed journals, and orally communicate UFRI findings to external partners through presentations, webinars, field trips, or other avenues.
Ensure compliance with USU rules and regulations; maintain necessary records.
Collaborate on research and proposal development.
Hire, train, and guide student workers.
Perform other job-related duties as needed.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualification:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in a relevant field or two (2) years of practical experience in a research (academia or institutional) or management (state or federal agency) setting
- Authorship on published peer reviewed scientific journal articles relevant to the position
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Expertise in forest and fire ecology and management in Interior West conifer forests
- Experience in designing, analyzing, and reporting on ecological, spatial, or social science data
- Ability to maintain records and keep detailed reports, and proficiency in R or Python
- Experience with sampling techniques and tools specific to area of expertise
- Experience translating scientific research results to diverse audiences