[Nwfsc] Field/Lab Assistant Position Available, Jornada LTSP

[robh]

1 FIELD/LAB ASSISTANT ($22,675.56/year, no benefits)
One energetic, competent field technician is needed to assist Jornada
Experimental Range scientists with research and monitoring projects.
These projects relate to ecologically-based monitoring systems for arid
and semi-arid lands and resistance and resilience of soil and vegetation
to disturbance. Work will involve conducting rainfall simulation
experiments, and assisting with other field experiments involving soil
and vegetation measurements. Study sites are located in southern New
Mexico, Nevada and surrounding states. Study sites include locations on
public, private and military lands. Positions will include extensive
travel throughout the region and long hours in the field.  Trips may
last up to a month and may involve camping. Some sites may be accessible
only on foot over rugged terrain. Field conditions will range from hot
(100's) to cold (30's) and windy. Position will also include laboratory
work (primarily for soil physical properties and some simple soil
chemistry), data entry and data manipulation.

Responsibilities: Positions involve up to 50% of the time in the field
sampling vegetation and soils and running rainfall simulation on small
plots. Positions also involve up to 50% of the time indoors processing
soil samples and entering soil and vegetation data.

Qualifications:
· Knowledge of Chihuahuan Desert flora. Demonstrated botanical
expertise (including grasses) in another ecosystem and willingness to
learn local flora may be substituted.
· Previous monitoring and/or field research experience.
· GIS and/or soil microbiology experience are desirable, but not
required.
· Chemistry lab experience, or equivalent, required.
· Experience processing large numbers of lab (soil) samples highly
desirable, but not required.
· Experience with Excel and/or SigmaPlot are highly desirable, but not
required.
· Valid U.S. driver's license.
· B.S. or B.A. in environmental sciences or equivalent degree.

Duration: Approximate start date is June 1st. Position continues to
August 31st, with possible extension contingent upon funding and
performance.

Start Date: June 1, 2004.

Application Deadline: May 7, 2004 or until positions are filled.

How to Apply:  Please send cover letter, resume and contact information
(name, position, phone, e-mail and mailing address) for 3 references
to:
Laura Burkett
USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range
MSC 3JER, NMSU, Box 30003
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8003
e-mail: lburkett at jornada.nmsu.edu
Tel: 505-646-8033
FAX: 505-646-5889
Jornada Web Page http://usda-ars.nmsu.edu