Seasonal Field Technician

The Harvard Forest (HF) seeks up to eight talented and enthusiastic individuals to oversee the re-census (sampling and data management) of a large-scale (35 ha) temperate forest plot. Reporting to HF Forest Ecologist Dr. David Orwig, the Field Technicians will work closely with scientists from the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) (www.ctfs.si.edu) and the Smithsonian Global Earth Observatory (SIGEO) to help ensure that sampling and data management are consistent with other temperate and tropical forest plots. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Crews will work together in pairs to census, tag, paint, and map all woody stems ≥ 1 cm dbh within a portion of the 35-ha forest plot; Crews will also enter field data regularly into a CTFS database. 

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

College background in Botany, Ecology, Forestry, or Biology and ability to work well with others required.  Desired skills include experience with vegetation sampling, knowledge of temperate New England forest flora and forest dynamics, skill with compass, familiarity with mapping, tablets, and GIS software. Successful applicants will have strong interest to work with interdisciplinary science teams and serious interest in environmental research.  Regretfully, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Working Conditions

Must have a cheerful attitude while working outdoors under all weather conditions including cold and rainy days and sweltering summer heat with mosquitos, ticks, and black flies. Applicants must be capable of walking/hiking several miles each day carrying up to 25lbs. of field equipment. 

Compensation, Benefits and Application Process

Competitive salary for these 13-week temporary positions will be $18/hr.   Positions will begin in mid-May 2025, for up to 13 weeks. Apply by sending cover letter, resume and contact information for 3 relevant references to hfapps@fas.harvard.edu, Subject line: Megaplot project. Application review will begin immediately and interviews will begin in early to mid-February 2025.

Harvard Forest

Harvard Forest, an internationally recognized center for basic research in forest ecology, is one of 28 Long Term Ecological Research sites across the country sponsored by the National Science Foundation.  The Forest facilities include a research and administrative complex, 4000 acres of land and 14 residential buildings which are located in Petersham, a small town in central Massachusetts. For more information about the Forest, visit our website at: http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu.

Project Team Philosophy: We believe in conducting science with both humility and intellectual rigor. We respect all people and will combat institutional racism and gender bias at every opportunity. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and to fostering a welcoming and stimulating environment so that project participants can develop, grow, and achieve their professional goals.