Position Summary:
We are excited to announce a position for a mentor for the Eco-Informatics Summer Institute (http://eco-informatics.engr.oregonstate.edu) that will be held from June 17 to August 24, 2018 at the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest (HJA). The mentor will oversee undergraduate participants while working closely with the program manager, principal investigators (PIs), HJA staff, and professor mentors.
The mentor is required to live and work with students at HJA during most of the program. S/he is required to lead fieldwork and day-to-day operations of participants’ lives, while providing a safe environment and promoting cooperation among undergraduate participants.
Position Duties (indicate % for each):
Field sampling coordination and oversight (50%). Coordinate and oversee field, laboratory, and initial analytical research by student participants in the EISI program. Research involves plant-pollinator networks and other related activities stipulated by the EISI program. Duties include
· in consultation with faculty mentors, clarify and update field sampling, lab analysis, and data analysis protocols,
· obtain, manage, and maintain in working order needed equipment and supplies,
· demonstrate protocols and train students to conduct field sampling and lab analyses,
· lead participants to and from field sampling locations, and manage field sampling activities,
· oversee entry of data by REU participants, and conduct weekly accuracy assessment of data,
· in conjunction with faculty mentors, assist students with initial data analysis,
· at the end of the summer, oversee assembly of data and creation of metadata, and transmit the data and metadata to the faculty mentors.
Field station coordination and oversight (50%). Coordinate living arrangements, transportation, and related logistics for student participants. Duties include
· transport student participants to and from the H.J. Andrews Forest field station, Corvallis, and Eugene and Portland airports as needed, using an OSU van.
· reside with students at the HJ Andrews field station, and accompany them on activities throughout the EISI program as needed
· manage schedules of student participants, including field sampling; laboratory analysis; data analysis; meetings, lectures, and seminars; transportation; dormitory reservations on the OSU campus, and related activities stipulated by the EISI program
- facilitate positive communication among students, and between students and faculty mentors
- help students conduct independent and group research projects (i.e., attend weekly videoconference meetings between student participants and faculty research mentors)
- ensure students’ appropriate use and maintenance of HJA apartments
· attend HJA Day with student participants and learn about relevant research at the Andrews Forest
· ensure students are certified to use OSU motor pool vehicles and schedule use of these vehicles for activities in the EISI REU program
- Assist with the organization of the program orientation, final symposium and farewell BBQ.
Working conditions, schedule, and compensation:
This position is required to work in a mountain environment, including forests, rocky meadows, and streams, with steep slopes, uneven and densely vegetated terrain, and exposure to biting and/or stinging insects and poison oak, in all weather conditions (including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind).
Roughly between June 17 and August 12, the successful applicant will live and work with undergraduate student participants from Monday-Friday in shared housing, but in an individual room, at HJA. Actual work hours are flexible, depending on student needs, but tend to occupy ~ 40 hours/week.
The coordinator/mentor will receive $5,000 for the 10-week position. Lodging at HJA will be provided. Please note that the mentor must provide his/her own housing and reside in or near Corvallis for the last two weeks of the program (August 12 to August 24).
Minimum/Required Qualifications:
In addition to meeting position duties and working conditions described above, the following qualifications are required:
Required
1. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
2. Demonstrated ability to work and safely supervise others in rugged terrain under any weather condition, while carrying and using equipment. Experience planning and managing field crews under challenging circumstances (long days, hiking to and from field sites).
3. Knowledge of/experience with field safety protocols.
4. Prior experience directing groups of students (e.g., as a teaching assistant, as a mentor of a summer REU program, or as a field guide [backcountry or rafting guide]). Includes experience training others in field protocols.
5. Basic field orienteering skills (use of map and compass); ability to use GPS to locate and navigate to/from field sites.
- Working towards or completion of a degree in a relevant discipline (biology, ecology, engineering).
- This position requires driving a University vehicle and van or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be authorized by OSU motor pool, and pass OSU motor pool’s van safety test.
Desired
1. Knowledge of plant-pollinator interactions; experience with field sampling protocols for sampling pollinators and the plants they visit; ability to identify pollinator and plant species.
2. Familiarity with the Andrews Forest landscape.
3. Knowledge of plant and pollinator species of western Oregon.
4. Knowledge of the structure of the datasets for plant-pollinator interactions and the long-term cross-sections at the Andrews Forest and the associated metadata requirements.
To apply:
By April 20, send letter of application, CV, and names and contact information for two references to: [email protected]
Desiree Tullos, PhD, PE
Professor, Biological and Ecological Engineering Department
Oregon State University
[email protected]
001 541 737 2038
http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/rivers/