Forest Monitoring Technician

Hiring Organization: Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Employment type: Temporary
Job Location: Bar Harbor, ME (Field Station first 9 weeks); Fredericksburg, VA (Field Station second 10 weeks)
Application Due Date: February 10, 2025

Position Description: Forest Monitoring Technician Opening Dates: January 27 – February 10, 2024 Reports To: Camilla Seirup Job Type: full-time, temporary position Location: Bar Harbor, ME (Field Station first 9 weeks); Fredericksburg, VA (Field Station second 10 weeks) Vacancies: 2 crew members Duration: 19 weeks - May 19th to September 25th (start date not flexible) This full-time, temporary position is part of a travelling field crew collecting forest health data in over 15 National Parks throughout the Eastern US. About Schoodic Institute: Established in 2004, Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and Acadia National Park’s primary partner in science and education. Based at the largest of 17 National Park Service Research Learning Centers in Winter Harbor, Maine, in Wabanaki homeland, Schoodic Institute’s focus is understanding environmental change taking place in Acadia and beyond, and helping managers of parks and other protected areas respond and adapt to change while engaging people of all ages in science. Schoodic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Schoodic Institute is committed to increasing diversity in environmental science, education, and conservation. We are highly collaborative, inclusive, and committed to a team environment that is safe and free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination. Team members are encouraged to share ideas, enthusiasm, and knowledge with each other. Rapid environmental change demands a more diverse and skilled next generation of conservation champions and we are committed to this workforce development. Primary Responsibilities: Incumbents will sample permanent forest monitoring plots collecting data on forest health, structure and composition, regeneration, understory vegetation, coarse woody debris, and soil characteristics. Technicians will work in over 15 national park sites from Virginia to Maine. This is largely a field-based position, and incumbents will be required to carry heavy field equipment (40+lbs), hike though rough terrain, work in all weather conditions, and be on travel for weeks at a time. Incumbent may be exposed to deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, biting insects, poison ivy and dense brush. Duties:

•Attend one week of mandatory forest crew training during the first week of the field seasonlocated at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, VT

•The next 4 weeks of the season will be spent traveling and sampling forest plots in NationalHistorical Parks in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

•Technicians will then spend approximately 4 weeks sampling in Acadia National Park.

•Technicians will then spend 5 weeks traveling and sampling vegetation in Mid-Atlantic parkslocated in PA and VA.

•The crew will then spend 5 weeks based out of Fredericksburg, VA, with periodic travel,including a week in Assateague Island National Seashore.

• Additional duties may include collecting data for and contributing to research projects with the Schoodic Institute's Forest Ecology Program, and preparing soil samples for processing, pressing plant specimens, and data entry.

Qualifications and Job Requirements:

• Experience conducting field work in difficult conditions (e.g., harsh terrain, high heat/humidity, and biting insects)

• Experience with plant identification, including ability to identify eastern trees, shrubs and common herbaceous species

• Must have a valid driver's license and be willing to drive NPS-provided vehicles throughout the season.

• Must be a US Citizen

• Upon selection, applicants will be subjected to a federal background investigation and must receive favorable adjudication to be hired.

Compensation: Hourly pay at $19.43/hour. While the crew is on travel, housing and a meals stipend will be provided. While at field stations, park housing will be reserved, but technicians will have to pay rent. Some housing may require room sharing.

This position does not include health insurance benefits or sick time.

Schoodic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer

To apply, visit the online application portal here.

Be prepared to supply a resume/CV, cover letter, unofficial transcript, and three professional references. We will notify you before contracting your references.

Application deadline: February 10, 2024.

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