What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate in Grassland Ecology/Site Manager - Rapid City, SD position at Colorado State University?
Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
Working Title
Research Associate in Grassland Ecology/Site Manager - Rapid City, SD
Position Location
Rapid City, SD
Work Location
Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position
Yes
Posting Number
202500199AP
Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Research Associate I
Number of Vacancies
1
Work Hours/Week
40
Proposed Annual Salary Range
$49,000 - $51,700
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
04/07/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
02/24/2025
Description Of Work Unit
Housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources, the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is an interdisciplinary academic program uniquely poised to advance education, research, and outreach in vegetation measurements and forest biometry. The existing programs in the department include forest ecology, forest economics and management, forest fire science, rangeland ecology and management, resource policy and planning, and geospatial sciences. The Warner College of Natural Resources is home to five academic departments and several centers and institutes such as the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, the WESTFIRE Research Center, the Colorado State Forest Service, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. These programs, institutes and centers provide a foundation for research, education and outreach in this field. Linkages across department and colleges, and with federal and state land managers and research centers, form a broader interdisciplinary foundation for increased impact.
Position Summary
The plant ecophysiology lab at in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD is seeking applications for a 10-month biological science technician to act as a site manager that works closely with a crew lead for a project investigating the response to- and recovery of plants from severe and seasonal droughts in the northern Great Plains. This position will focus on field site equipment management and plant data collection during the growing season and data management and lab work during the non-growing season months. The responsibility of the biological science technician site manager will be to manage rainout shelter infrastructure, mowing treatments, weather stations, and soil moisture data loggers at two sites in western South Dakota and also collect plant species composition, plant development, and biomass production as part of the larger seasonal crew. We expect that in the non-growing season months work will focus on equipment repair and preparation, preparing bud samples for dissection, and data entry. The successful applicant will be based at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD. The candidate will be expected to plan regular maintenance for soil moisture, weather station, and rainout shelter infrastructure and assist the crew lead in planning field crew activities.
Required Job Qualifications
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category
Research
Duty/Responsibility
90
Job Duty Category
Project Management
Duty/Responsibility
10
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than February 24, 2025 for full consideration at jobs.colostate.edu. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Upload Each Of The Items Below Individually As a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), Or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please Note That Incomplete Applications Cannot Be Considered. Please Remove Social Security Numbers And Birthdates From Application Materials. A Complete Application Consists Of
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver's License
Search Contact
Troy Ocheltree, troy.ocheltree@colostate.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University's Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Posting Detail Information
Working Title
Research Associate in Grassland Ecology/Site Manager - Rapid City, SD
Position Location
Rapid City, SD
Work Location
Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position
Yes
Posting Number
202500199AP
Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Research Associate I
Number of Vacancies
1
Work Hours/Week
40
Proposed Annual Salary Range
$49,000 - $51,700
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
- Review our detailed benefits information here.
- Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here
- For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator
- Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in
04/07/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
02/24/2025
Description Of Work Unit
Housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources, the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University is an interdisciplinary academic program uniquely poised to advance education, research, and outreach in vegetation measurements and forest biometry. The existing programs in the department include forest ecology, forest economics and management, forest fire science, rangeland ecology and management, resource policy and planning, and geospatial sciences. The Warner College of Natural Resources is home to five academic departments and several centers and institutes such as the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, the WESTFIRE Research Center, the Colorado State Forest Service, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands and the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. These programs, institutes and centers provide a foundation for research, education and outreach in this field. Linkages across department and colleges, and with federal and state land managers and research centers, form a broader interdisciplinary foundation for increased impact.
Position Summary
The plant ecophysiology lab at in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD is seeking applications for a 10-month biological science technician to act as a site manager that works closely with a crew lead for a project investigating the response to- and recovery of plants from severe and seasonal droughts in the northern Great Plains. This position will focus on field site equipment management and plant data collection during the growing season and data management and lab work during the non-growing season months. The responsibility of the biological science technician site manager will be to manage rainout shelter infrastructure, mowing treatments, weather stations, and soil moisture data loggers at two sites in western South Dakota and also collect plant species composition, plant development, and biomass production as part of the larger seasonal crew. We expect that in the non-growing season months work will focus on equipment repair and preparation, preparing bud samples for dissection, and data entry. The successful applicant will be based at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD. The candidate will be expected to plan regular maintenance for soil moisture, weather station, and rainout shelter infrastructure and assist the crew lead in planning field crew activities.
Required Job Qualifications
- BS in botany, plant biology, ecology, or closely aligned field.
- The ability to travel for weeklong field trips approximately 5 times throughout the growing season (April through September).
- Must have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
- Evidence of working independently and in a team.
- Experience using dataloggers and/or other programming.
- Experience conducting grassland or understory fieldwork (e.g. cover, biomass clipping, etc.)
- Knowledge of northern Great Plains plant species.
- Experience with 4WD and hauling trailers.
- Experience with practical and tactical problem solving and organization, i.e. building your own shelters/equipment.
- Experience with data management in Excel and/or another program.
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category
Research
Duty/Responsibility
- Data collection, data entry, and data analysis.
- Calibrating/repairing field equipment, including meteorological instrumentation.
90
Job Duty Category
Project Management
Duty/Responsibility
- Time management, Report writing.
10
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in the announcement to be considered for hire. Apply no later than February 24, 2025 for full consideration at jobs.colostate.edu. Mailed or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Upload Each Of The Items Below Individually As a Word Document (.doc), PDF (.pdf), Or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please Note That Incomplete Applications Cannot Be Considered. Please Remove Social Security Numbers And Birthdates From Application Materials. A Complete Application Consists Of
- Statement of Qualifications (one-page letter addressing each qualification described in the announcement) uploaded in the 'Cover Letter' slot.
- Resume
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver's License
Search Contact
Troy Ocheltree, troy.ocheltree@colostate.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University's Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Salary : $49,000 - $51,700
