Field Interviewer

California State University, Chico; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Job summary

Chico State Enterprises seeks dependable individuals to assist with the National Visitor Use Monitoring Program (NVUM). The role is field-based, travel-intensive, and part-time hourly with flexible shoulder and high seasons.

Most work occurs off-site at forest locations across California; no Chico County sites are involved. Prioritizes safety, data collection via tablet, and efficient reporting within a dynamic schedule.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently as well as in team settings.
• Ability to use a tablet device for data collection and transfer.
• Able to speak comfortably with people and communicate effectively with the survey team.
• Ability to administer questionnaires to National Forest visitors and understand basic questionnaire protocol.
• Ability to scout survey sites and prepare data entry forms for others to use.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Must be at least 18 years of age with reliable transportation.
• Capacity and willingness to work in extreme weather conditions and independently in remote backcountry settings.

Responsibilities

• Communicate properly and effectively through phone, text, and email with supervisory staff, coworkers, and agency personnel.
• Understand survey protocol and diligently count recreation use.
• Understand the requirements of scheduling, site scouting, and data transfer.
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness and treat all equipment properly to extend property life and increase safety.
• Safely set up survey sites (signage, cones, etc.) according to USFS survey protocol.
• Provide job-shadowing opportunities and field training for new employees.
• Keep accurate records.
• Adhere to all safety rules and regulations.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Reliability

Professional demeanor

Tools

GPS

Job description

Office Hours

8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Monday–Friday

Mailing Address

Chico State Enterprises

25 Main Street, Suite 203

Chico, CA 95928-5388

STATUS

Part-Time / Non-Benefitted / Hourly / Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION

$17.50 - $21.50 per hour

DEPARTMENT

National Visitor Use Monitoring Program (NVUM)

LOCATION

Survey locations include various recreation sites across the 18 National Forests in California.

Three Southern California forests are being surveyed during Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), which runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026: Angeles National Forest, Sequoia National Forest, and Inyo National Forest.

Three Central Sierra forests will be surveyed during Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), which runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027: Sierra National Forest, Stanislaus National Forest, and El Dorado National Forest.

There will be no survey sites in or near Chico or Butte County.

RESIDENCY

Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

SCHEDULE

Non-benefitted position with variable hours; up to 30-40 hours per week during the shoulder and high season (May-October) and 0-40 hours during the low season (November-April). Fieldwork hours vary based on project needs and will fluctuate on a weekly or seasonal basis but will not exceed 1,500 hours per calendar year (not survey/fiscal year). Survey schedules are developed by the project sponsor before fieldwork begins. We schedule between 660 and 900 six-hour field sessions each year. The NVUM survey rotates between forests, and each forest is surveyed once every five years. The survey has been conducted since 2000. Chico State and CSU, San Marcos have partnered with the Forest Service since 2017 to implement the survey in California.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Chico State Enterprises, an auxiliary of Chico State, is seeking dependable individuals to assist with the National Visitor Use Monitoring Program (NVUM), a project sponsored by the USDA Forest Service. The position is mostly field-based, with extensive travel and ample opportunities to explore and enjoy the national forests of California. There are no survey sites in Chico or Butte County.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Primary duties include interviewing recreation users exiting general forested areas, trailheads, picnic areas, wilderness areas, campgrounds, or scenic highways. The position requires driving to predetermined forest locations, preparing the survey site, interviewing exiting visitors for a six-hour period, and completing some summary reporting. With travel time equal to the distance between sites and the appropriate duty station, most field sessions range from 7.5 to 9.5 hours, with additional unpaid commuting time from the employee’s residence.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Communicate properly and effectively through phone, text, and email with supervisory staff, coworkers, and agency personnel.
• Understand survey protocol and diligently count recreation use.
• Understand the requirements of scheduling, site scouting, and data transfer.
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness and treat all equipment properly to extend property life and increase safety.
• Safely set up survey sites (signage, cones, etc.) according to USFS survey protocol.
• Provide job-shadowing opportunities and field training for new employees.
• Keep accurate records.
• Adhere to all safety rules and regulations.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Interviewers must be personable and friendly, comfortable standing outside in varying weather conditions, able to follow an established and detailed survey protocol, remain alert during periods of low visitor activity, safely drive on varying road types, and drive and work in varied weather conditions. If public safety conditions limit the ability to interview, visitor or vehicle counts may be approved as an alternative protocol, which may involve long periods of sitting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently as well as in team settings.
• Ability to use a tablet device for data collection and transfer.
• Able to speak comfortably with people and communicate effectively with the survey team.
• Ability to administer questionnaires to National Forest visitors and understand basic questionnaire protocol.
• Ability to scout survey sites and prepare data entry forms for others to use.
• Must successfully complete Defensive Driver Training and obtain a Campfire permit.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record throughout employment.
• Must be at least 18 years of age with reliable transportation, or over 21 to operate a rental vehicle.
• Capacity and willingness to work in extreme weather conditions and independently in remote backcountry settings.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with the NVUM survey processes and protocols, including Survey123 (instrumentation and data transfer), but training is available.
• Experience navigating remote roads and trails using maps and GPS.
• Technical driving skills for unpaved and unmaintained roads.
• Willingness to work combinations of weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Though not required, enjoyment of outdoor recreation is a plus. During the summer, interviewers frequently camp for multiple nights in campgrounds or open forest areas.

BENEFITS

• Sick leave (up to 5 days/year)

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Candidate must be in possession of valid driver's license and automobile liability insurance. Participation in the DMV Employer Pull Notice Program (driving record) is required. The candidate will be required to update their insurance with Chico State Enterprises Human Resources when necessary.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Chico State Enterprises provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It is Chico State Enterprises’ policy to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to workin the United States. All new employees must provide proof of identity and authorization to work.