What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate in Grassland Ecology/Field Crew Leader - Rapid City, SD position at CSU Spur?
Posting Details
Posting Detail Information
Working Title Research Associate in Grassland Ecology/Field Crew Leader - Rapid City, SD Position Location Rapid City, SD Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Research Professional Position Yes Posting Number 202500200AP 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, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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, in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD, is seeking applications for a 21-month biological science technician to act as 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 crew management and plant data collection during the growing season and data management and lab work during the winter months. The responsibility of the biological science technician crew leader will be to organize, train, and lead a 4-5 person seasonal field crew in data collection of plant species composition, plant development, and biomass production. The crew lead will work in tandem with the site manager to maintain mowing treatments and rainout shelter infrastructure. We expect that in the winter months work will focus on data entry, preparing bud samples for dissection, protocol writing, and conducting initial data analyses. During the winter, the crew lead may assist the site manager with equipment repair and preparation. As times allows, the candidate may work on other projects occurring in the Rapid City lab that may include work with GIS, plant dissection, and/or scientific literature synthesis. The successful applicant will be based at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD. The candidate will be expected to plan the calendar and workflow for the seasonal crew, assist with crew hiring, training and management, assist with fleet and safety management, and write progress reports.
Required Job Qualifications
Job Duty Category Research Duty/Responsibility
Data collection, data entry, and managing field equipment
Percentage Of Time 60 Job Duty Category Supervision Duty/Responsibility
Supervising and planning seasonal field crew
Percentage Of Time 30 Job Duty Category Project Management Duty/Responsibility
Time management, Report writing
Percentage Of Time 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
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Posting Detail Information
Working Title Research Associate in Grassland Ecology/Field Crew Leader - Rapid City, SD Position Location Rapid City, SD Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Research Professional Position Yes Posting Number 202500200AP 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, 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!
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, in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD, is seeking applications for a 21-month biological science technician to act as 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 crew management and plant data collection during the growing season and data management and lab work during the winter months. The responsibility of the biological science technician crew leader will be to organize, train, and lead a 4-5 person seasonal field crew in data collection of plant species composition, plant development, and biomass production. The crew lead will work in tandem with the site manager to maintain mowing treatments and rainout shelter infrastructure. We expect that in the winter months work will focus on data entry, preparing bud samples for dissection, protocol writing, and conducting initial data analyses. During the winter, the crew lead may assist the site manager with equipment repair and preparation. As times allows, the candidate may work on other projects occurring in the Rapid City lab that may include work with GIS, plant dissection, and/or scientific literature synthesis. The successful applicant will be based at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Rapid City, SD. The candidate will be expected to plan the calendar and workflow for the seasonal crew, assist with crew hiring, training and management, assist with fleet and safety management, and write progress reports.
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 conducting grassland or forest/woodland 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; organizing crew activities.
- Experience with data management in Excel and/or another program.
- Experience supervising individuals during field work.
Job Duty Category Research Duty/Responsibility
Data collection, data entry, and managing field equipment
Percentage Of Time 60 Job Duty Category Supervision Duty/Responsibility
Supervising and planning seasonal field crew
Percentage Of Time 30 Job Duty Category Project Management Duty/Responsibility
Time management, Report writing
Percentage Of Time 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
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * This position is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. Are you willing and able to work at this location?
- Yes, I am able and willing to work in Rapid City, South Dakota.
- No, I am NOT able and willing to work in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
Salary : $49,000 - $51,700
