Outdoor Recreation Research Technician

Utah State University; Logan (UT); On-site; USD 55,104,000 - 60,614,000; Part time

Job summary

Utah State University is seeking an Outdoor Recreation Research Technician in Logan, UT. This non-benefited hourly, part-time position supports the USDA NVUM data collection by conducting on-site visitor surveys at recreation sites across specified national forests.

Responsibilities include face-to-face interviews, independent travel to survey locations, and potential camping in remote areas. Shifts are scheduled 6 hours and vary by season, with pay at $20/hour.

Qualifications

• Motivated, dependable, organized, and self-sufficient.
• Comfortable approaching and interacting with unfamiliar people.
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems in the field.
• Safety-conscious and capable of exercising good judgment in remote settings.
• Comfortable spending extended periods alone in remote outdoor environments.
• Comfortable camping alone when required.
• Ability to navigate remote and unfamiliar areas.

Responsibilities

• Conduct face-to-face surveys with national forest visitors at designated recreation sites.
• Interact professionally with a wide variety of forest visitors, sometimes conducting up to 40 interviews per day.
• Travel independently to survey locations throughout the assigned national forest.
• Navigate to remote and unfamiliar recreation sites.
• Work independently for extended periods, including in remote locations and varying weather conditions.
• Occasionally camp in remote areas for multiple days while completing survey assignments.
• Follow established survey protocols and accurately collect and record visitor-use data.
• Maintain a high level of organization, safety awareness, and professionalism while working in the field.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Field data collection

Independent worker

Safety-conscious

Camping (remote work)

Navigation

Excellent communication

Job description

Outdoor Recreation Research Technician

Requisition ID: 2026-10670

# of Openings: 8

Location: US-UT-Logan

Category: Research (non‑Faculty)

Position Type: Non‑benefited (hourly) Part‑Time

Job Classification: Non‑Benefited

College: Quinney College of Agric & Nat Res

Department: Environment & Society

Advertised Salary: $20/hour

Overview

This position will assist with data collection for the USDA Forest Service’s National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) Program. Field technicians will conduct on‑site surveys with national forest visitors at recreation access points such as trailheads, forest roads, lakes and reservoirs, resorts, and other recreation sites across the Uinta‑Wasatch‑Cache and Ashely National Forest.

The data collected through these surveys are used by the USDA Forest Service to estimate annual visitation, track recreation patterns and trends, evaluate visitor experiences and recreation infrastructure, and estimate the economic contributions associated with national forest recreation.

This position provides hands‑on experience in outdoor recreation research, visitor‑use monitoring, field data collection, and national forest management.

Work Schedules

Work schedules are dictated by a randomly generated survey schedule; however, efforts are made to create consistency. Shifts are 6 hours long and fluctuate between 8am‑2pm and 2pm‑8pm. Drive time to and from survey locations is paid in addition to the 6‑hour survey period. Shifts are expected to be elevated in October and decrease during the winter months, then increase again during the spring and summer. Details regarding work schedules will be further discussed with applicants during the interview process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct face-to-face surveys with national forest visitors at designated recreation sites.
• Interact professionally with a wide variety of forest visitors, sometimes conducting up to 40 interviews per day.
• Travel independently to survey locations throughout the assigned national forest.
• Navigate to remote and unfamiliar recreation sites.
• Work independently for extended periods, including in remote locations and varying weather conditions.
• Occasionally camp in remote areas for multiple days while completing survey assignments.
• Follow established survey protocols and accurately collect and record visitor‑use data.
• Maintain a high level of organization, safety awareness, and professionalism while working in the field.

Qualifications

• Motivated, dependable, organized, and self‑sufficient.
• Comfortable approaching and interacting with unfamiliar people.
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ablility to work independently and solve problems in the field.
• Safety‑conscious and capable of exercising good judgment in remote settings.
• Comfortable spending extended periods alone in remote outdoor environments.
• Comfortable camping alone when required.
• Ablility to navigate remote and unfamiliar areas.

ADA

This position involves extensive fieldwork at recreation sites throughout the Uinta‑Wasatch‑Cache and Ashley National Forests. Employees may work independently for extended periods in remote locations and in a variety of weather and environmental conditions. The position requires regular travel by vehicle, navigating unfamiliar areas, and occasionally camping in remote locations for multiple days.

Fieldwork may involve prolonged periods of standing, sitting, walking on uneven terrain, and working outdoors with limited access to facilities. Employees must be able to remain alert and safety‑conscious while traveling and working in remote areas.

The position also requires sustained interaction with the public, including approaching and conducting interviews with numerous unfamiliar individuals throughout the workday. Employees must be comfortable working independently, following established protocols, managing changing field conditions, solving problems, and exercising sound judgment with limited direct supervision.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high‑quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular‑season and tournament titles in 2025‑26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student‑athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

*updated 07/2026

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non‑discrimination policies:
Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, [e-mail], Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266
Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, [e-mail], Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266
Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322
For further information regarding non‑discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, [e-mail]
U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, [e-mail]