WSU Temp - Plant Ecology Technician

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 18,184 - 25,898; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared housing near field sites

Rental vehicles for fieldwork

Job summary

Wichita State University is seeking up to five technicians for a research project on cattle grazing impacts in grasslands. Responsibilities include data collection, equipment maintenance, and working in field conditions.

Applicants should have a background in biology or ecology and must be physically able to work outdoors in varying conditions. This position runs from mid-May to August 8th, 2025, with shared housing and vehicles provided for field travel.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and willing to drive rental field vehicles.
• Available for the entirety of the field season from mid/late May to August 8th, 2025.

Responsibilities

• Collect plant data in sampling crews.
• Enter data and perform quality control.
• Maintain equipment and prepare for fieldwork.

Skills

Plant identification

Data collection

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

Academic training in biology or ecology

Job description

Department

Biological Sciences

Campus Location

Other Kansas Location

Hire Type

Full Time

Pay

$16 per hour

Work Schedule

Work times may vary depending on weather, but can generally be expected 8 hours, 5 days per work. Start time can vary from 5:00-7:00 am and ending around 1:00-3:00 pm.

Export Compliance Requirement

No export control requirement.

Job Story

Wichita State University is seeking up to five highly motivated technicians to assist in data collection for a collaborative research project investigating the response of plants, birds, and soils to different cattle grazing practices on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands in Kansas and Colorado. Although grazing animals such as bison historically played an important role in native prairie, grazing is currently excluded or highly limited in many CRP sites related to native prairie. Our study will quantify potential conservation risks and benefits of cattle grazing on CRP sites located in tallgrass (Kansas) and shortgrass (Colorado).

Job Duties

Technicians will collect plant data in three-person sampling crews (two technicians and one lead graduate student). Each crew will be responsible for sampling a subset of sites (36) in our areas of interest in Kansas and Colorado. Reaching sites will require driving a few hours each day over paved and low maintenance (dirt, gravel) roads in relatively remote, rural areas. Duties include but are not limited to: collecting vegetation structural data, plant species abundance, and plant biomass; data entry and quality control; and equipment preparation and maintenance. Candidates must be willing to hike long distances into field sites through tall or short grass prairie while carrying equipment to reach sampling locations. Working hours will be spent almost exclusively in the field and involve early mornings, long hours when necessary, and maintaining motivation during variable weather conditions. Technicians must be able to transport themselves to field housing and ready to begin training and orientation in mid-late May 2025.

Required Education

This is specific to each position and department. See additional requirements and/or preferences.

Additional Requirements

• Possess a valid driver’s license and willing to drive rental field vehicles on gravel and muddy roads.
• Must be available for the entirety of the field season ~mid/late May to August 8th, 2025.

Required Experience

This is specific to each position and department. See additional requirements and/or preferences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic training in and/or enthusiasm for biology and/or ecology.
• Previous experience with plant identification preferred, but not required.
• Fit to perform and keep up field work while maintaining exceptional work ethic in a variety of conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, biting insects, and poison ivy.
• Eager to work in remote, rural settings for long periods of time.
• Good interpersonal skills and willingness to work and live with other technicians and interact positively with CRP landowners.
• Attention to detail and able to closely follow a detailed data collection protocol.

Additional Information for Posting

Technicians will gain experience with plant identification and data collection techniques, interact with private landowners, and large-scale ecological research. The field position will end by August 8th, 2025. Shared housing will be provided near field sites in rural Kansas (St. John) and Colorado (Las Animas or Lamar). Rental vehicles will be provided for fieldwork transportation.