Position Summary(Basic Job Function) This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides technical support. Responsibilities may include computer programming or operations; research support; medical patient care; technical equipment maintenance, repair, fabrication or operation; or other technical support functions. Unit Position Summary Research Technician to help implement field activities for the Oak Management Research project administered through the Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the Applied Forest and Wildlife Ecology Laboratory at Michigan State University. Primary duties include plant sampling and forest inventory in upland oak forest ecosystems, secondary duties include deployment of remote cameras and acoustic recording units across southern Michigan. The Research Technician will maintain and collect field data throughout the summer growing season (May-August) in upland oak forest ecosystems across southern Michigan State Game Areas (SGA). Primary responsibilities include preparing for and conducting quantitative woody and herbaceous vegetation sampling using standard forestry and plant survey methods (e.g., quadrat, transect). Specific duties include compiling plant species lists, providing descriptions of survey areas, capturing GPS data including survey locations and survey tracks, taking quality site and species photos, reporting findings at weekly or biweekly intervals, and transferring data to excel spreadsheets. Secondary responsibilities include deployment and maintenance of remote cameras and acoustic recording units at a subset of survey sites. Familiarity and comfort with working and navigating in remote locations of southern Michigan are desired. The Research Technician will be working alone or in groups of two to four surveyors, so the candidate must be comfortable performing some field activities on their own. This position requires travel across southern Michigan for 1-5 days at a time. Occasional overnight travel might be required and during these overnight trips (which could last 1-5 days), lodging and travel will be provided. Occasional weekend work may be required. Required Qualifications: + Ability to independently conduct long days of strenuous fieldwork under adverse conditions throughout southern Michigan, including working in remote areas and difficult terrain (proficiency with map reading, navigating with a compass). + Intermediate to expert botanical skills in the identification of Michigan plant species. + Responsible, honest, self-sufficient, ability to lift and carry research materials, equipment, etc. up to 25 lbs. + Valid U.S. driver’s license. Desired Qualifications + Experience conducting field-based ecological studies, especially those involving vegetation sampling, mapping, and monitoring. + Understanding of standard forest measurements (i.e., basal area sweeps, canopy closure, and size class estimation, tree diameter, and age determination). + Commitment to natural resource conservation, and respect for property ownership, scientific credibility, and reliable data. + Experience interacting and working collaboratively with natural resource agencies. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status. Required Application Materials Letter of interest (1 page max), CV, contact information (email and/or phone) for three references. Work Hours Standard 8-5 M-F, Some weekends Website https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/