Summer Field Technician

Duration: Full-time; May 28 – August 20th, 2025 (Possibility for rehire Summer 2026)

Work Schedule: (8) days on; (6) days off – workdays will be 10-hour shifts

Location: Remote locations across northern and central Idaho. Traveling and camping are required. Shared housing will be available at the USFS Priest River Research Station nearest Priest River, Idaho.

Job description: The selected candidate will be working for the University of Idaho in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Research Station. This project is funded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Health Protection (FHP) to survey and monitor the health of whitebark pine trees (Pinus albicaulis) and the spread/severity of white pine blister rust (caused by the fungal pathogen Cronartium ribicola). The selected candidate will be working in a team of 2-3 trained professionals surveying whitebark pine and whitebark pine habitat.

Basic duties include:

• Hiking long distances (5-10 miles per day) in remote, rugged, mountainous terrain
• Carrying a backpack of up to 30lbs for duration of workday
• Camping for up to 8 days at a time – camping gear will be provided upon request
• Navigating to remote sites via 4WD vehicle and/or on-foot using GPS equipment – training and GPS equipment will be provided
• Performing large and small tree surveys using a standard common stand exam protocol – training and survey equipment will be provided
• Performing blister rust severity assessments – training and survey equipment will be provided
• Helping team with other various measurements including (but not limited to) botanical surveys, mountain pine beetle assessment, hemispherical photography – training and survey equipment will be provided
• Driving 4WD vehicles for long-distances on rough, uneven terrain
• Other tasks may be required to aid on-going research projects at the research station.
• See Priest River Experimental Forest’s webpage for more information: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ac01225230ea4a5facf11164e81b8a9d

Candidate Requirements:

• Must be eligible to work in the United States at time of hire
• Must be 18 years or older at time of hire
• Interested in forest health and conservation
• Experience in backcountry settings is preferred
• Ability to camp in remote areas for up to 8 consecutive days
• Hike up to 10 miles per day off-trail on rugged, uneven, mountainous terrain
• Carry pack of up to 30lbs for duration of workday
• Ability to follow protocol instructions precisely and accurately
• Must be willing to work effectively within a team
• Willingness to uphold a good attitude, especially under irritable or stressful circumstances
• Valid state driver’s license
• Ability to safely drive 4WD vehicles in rugged terrain