Field Technician, Timber Harvesting Utilization Study
UMass Amherst – Family Forest Research Center
Amherst, MA with extensive travel in the northeast
Description:
Job Title: Field Technician, Timber Harvesting Utilization Study
Position Description: The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking two full-time Field Technicians to aid in the implementation of the USDA Forest Service, Timber Product Output Survey, Timber Harvesting Utilization study (TPO; https://www.fia.fs.usda.gov/program-features/tpo/). The TPO survey is the Forest Service’s official survey of primary wood-using mills and a source of information on location, size and types of mills in a state, and the volume of roundwood received by product, species and geographic origin. This work will be part of a joint partnership between the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station.
The major duties of the field technician include scheduling and executing a field project for a Timber Harvesting Utilization study. The employee will be part of a 2-person team working to determine the proportion of timber harvested in the North that is utilized at mills. The team will visit active logging sites across Northeastern and Atlantic states (CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NH, NY, PA,VT) to collect information about harvest sites, the trees cut, the products taken, and the residues left behind. Skills and experience in basic forestry field measurements and data collection are required. The duties of this position require extensive travel to field sites in the study region. A vehicle and travel expenses will be provided.
UMass Amherst is an affirmative action / equal opportunity institution. The FFRC is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. To that end, we strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.
Duties:
Working with the FFRC project team, the successful candidate will:
• Schedule visits to active logging sites. This will entail coordinating with state partners and loggers in select Northeastern and Atlantic states
• Travel to active logging sites as a part of a 2-person team to collect field data
• Data entry and management•Document work processes
Qualifications:
The following are required:
• Experience with basic forestry field measurement and data collection techniques
• Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Forestry or related field, or equivalent experience
• Willingness and ability for extensive travel
The following are preferred, but not required:
• Experience working on a field team
• Experience scheduling and coordinating between groups
Salary: $45,000 per year plus benefits, including medical/dental insurance, paid time off, and paid family leave.
Position Timeline: This is a full-time, one-year position with the potential to reassess continued employment at the end of the one-year period. The tentative start date is April 1, 2023.
Location: The successful candidate will be based at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, with travel to field sites. Substantial travel required.
Application: To apply, submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and a list of three references to sbutler@umass.edu The position announcement closes on February 28, 2023.
For Additional Information: Contact Sarah Butler, sbutler@umass.edu, 845.625.9684 (mobile).
Contact Name: Sarah Butler
Contact Email: sbutler.ffrc@gmail.com
Contact Phone: 845.625.9684