Biological Science

Title: Forest Ecology Field Technician 

Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado 

Tentative Duration: ASAP – August 14, 2026 

Salary: $1200/month, prorated pay based on start date; shared lodging is fully covered at Rocky Mountain National Park 

Description: 

The Franklin lab at UNCO is excited to announce that we are seeking one additional field technician to assist graduate students, Noah Estrada and Katie Marascio, in their field work this summer. Technicians will have the opportunity to explore the flora of Rocky Mountain National Park and support important ecological research to identify forest community change over time. The project, formally titled: “Temporal Forest Changes in Rocky Mountain National Park,” underscores the importance of long-term ecological monitoring and will aid the National Park Service in future park management decisions. There will also be opportunities to network with graduate students and park service members, as well as develop skills relevant to environmental data collection management.  

Field work will entail strenuous hiking, often off trail. There will be up to four, multi-night backpacking trips. As such, the technician is expected to be comfortable in extreme environmental conditions (i.e. cold or hot temperatures, steep terrain, etc.). When not in the backcountry, the field crew will have access to park housing in McGraw Ranch. A typical work week will follow a four-day, ten(ish)-hour schedule, likely always Monday through Thursday. Technicians will be expected to provide their own meals and equipment. Please note that we will carpool around the park with the field leaders’ vehicles. Previous experience with Colorado flora is a plus but not required and will not disqualify applicants. We encourage all interested to apply, with preference given to early career ecologists with at least one season of field experience.  

If you have any questions about …, reach out to …

• Project information, such as background or data collection/management
  • Noah Estrada: noah.estrada@unco.edu
• Field work logistics, such as what a day looks like, field work logistics, equipment
  • Katie Marascio: katie.marascio@unco.edu

Requirements: 

• Physical capacity to…
  • Hike between 5-15 miles a day, often off trail.  
  • Carry a pack that weighs anywhere between 10-30 lbs for a long period of time. 
  • Backpack for multiple nights (maximum of three nights) 
• A strong desire to learn…
  • About the ecology and flora of Rocky Mountain National Park 
  • Techniques related to field data collection and management, specifically forest monitoring. 

If you are interested in applying… 

Please send a resume and cover letter, detailing prior experience with field work at high elevations to Katie Marascio (katie.marascio@unco.edu) and Noah Estrada (noah.estrada@unco.edu)  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 18th. With requests for interviews going out the following day.  

The Sheth plant evolutionary ecology lab in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC; USA) and the Angert Lab in the Departments of Botany and Zoology at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC; Canada) are looking for two enthusiastic field technicians to work as a team collecting demographic data as part of an NSF-funded study of range-wide surveys of the riparian plant, scarlet monkeyflower. The project aims to understand how plant population dynamics vary along latitudinal and elevational gradients; how populations recover from extreme climatic events; and how rapid evolution increases population persistence under climate change. For more, see www.seemasheth.weebly.com and angert.github.io. 

Dates: ~ mid/late August through ~ late September or early October

Locations: 21 sites from southern California to central Oregon

Pay: $25/hour

Expected duties: The data collection team will work with Drs. Sheth and Angert for one week, beginning in ~mid/late August (exact date TBD), to become proficient in site relocation and data collection methods across a representative sample of sites. Upon completion of training, the team will continue to complete data collection independently across all remaining sites (21 in total, from southern California to central Oregon). Duties include: (1) relocating sites and plots from written descriptions, photos, and GPS records; (2) censusing survival of previously recorded plants; (3) measuring size and reproduction of marked individual plants; (4) mapping and tagging new recruits; (5) maintaining plot markers and plot notes; and (6) collecting fruits off-plot. 

Required qualifications

• Minimum age of 21 years
• Previous field experience
• Experience in extended remote camping and driving on 4WD roads
• Positive attitude and strong communication skills for collaborative teamwork and problem solving
• Upper-level undergraduate student or recent college graduate who has taken at least one ecology course and is excited to participate in field ecological research
• A valid driver’s license and ability to work in the US
• Ability to complete repetitive tasks and work outside for long periods of time in potentially adverse conditions (e.g., in high or low temperatures, with poison oak and blackberry bramble, and traveling off-trail with slippery or uneven footing
• Ability to work away from home and be on the road from ~ mid/late August until data collection is complete (~late September or early October)
• Strong work ethic and willingness to sustain a fast-paced work schedule

Preferred qualifications

• Familiarity with plant identification
• Wilderness safety training

Additional information: Exact start and end dates are flexible. Costs for camping and occasional motel lodging will be covered. Field technicians will use a rental car and receive mileage reimbursements for gas. We are committed to creating a safe and respectful working environment for all crew members. We have a thorough field safety plan and expect that all crew members will comply with it. Technicians will have the option of completing wilderness first aid training, with course fees covered, prior to beginning field work.
To apply: Please submit the following materials to https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/231438: 1) a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position (including your available dates), 2) current CV or resume (with relevant coursework included), and 3) contact information (phone number and email address) for 2 references. Drs. Sheth and Angert will co-review applications starting on June 19, 2026 and will continue to review applications until the position is filled. Inquiries about factors that affect your ability to apply can be directed to Dr. Sheth (ssheth3@ncsu.edu) with subject line “plant ecology field technician;” other correspondence may not receive a response. Applications submitted via e-mail will not be considered.

This internship offers in-depth experience and a range of hands-on learning opportunities in the area of field botany. The intern works closely with Conservation Department staff and other professional field botanists, supporting surveys of rare plants, rare habitats, and invasive species by recording data in the field, performing data quality checks, using GIS applications, assisting with report preparation, and other research support tasks as required. The intern will spend a minimum of five (5) weeks in the field, during which the intern will stay at campgrounds at no cost. Low-cost housing is also available near our headquarters office during the internship. Training is provided, and interns may also enroll in Native Plant Trust’s educational programs and courses free of charge.

The position is non-exempt, hourly, full-time, based at our headquarters in Wayland, MA, and field locations in open coastal habitats of Massachusetts. Compensation is $15.00/hour for 40 hours/week for 14 weeks (max wages $8,400). The work schedule is 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, with early morning and evening hours and occasional weekend hours. Shared housing is available at $300 per month. The ideal start date is Monday, July 13, 2026.

To Apply: Please fill out this form with your information, resume, cover letter, and references: https://forms.gle/m8KFAWrEwwzcJEiK9. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we anticipate interviews in June.

Are you or do you know a student looking for summer field work in plant biology or plant-pest interactions?

The VT agency of Agriculture is looking for someone to fill a seasonal Plant Health Technician job focused on surveying for plant pests and disease. Prospective applicants should send a resume and brief cover letter to benjamin.dillner@vermont.gov

This position will perform duties at the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets in support of the Plant
Health team’s seasonal field survey work. The main goal of the position is to assist with the Cooperative
Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) and Plant Protection Act (PPA) trapping and visual survey programs. The
position will start mid/late May 2026 and run for approximately 4 months. However, start date and
duration are flexible to accommodate current college students. Positions will be full time (40 hrs per
week) during core field season.

Hourly rate: $24.59

Job duties:

• Work independently to set, collect & maintain CAPS and PPA traps for introduced insects
• Conduct nursery inspections for pests & disease with oversight from Plant Health team
• Assist with plant health regulatory activities as needed
• Provide outreach materials to public about introduced pests such as Spotted Lanternfly
  and Jumping Worm
  
• Preferred candidates will demonstrate the following:
• Ability to travel around the state and work independently in field conditions
• Familiarity with the horticultural industry
• Basic plant and pest identification
• Proficiency with Excel and data collection/management
• Ability to interact with the public while representing VAAFM
  
• Minimum qualifications:
• 2 years of coursework towards a plant science, agriculture, forestry, entomology, or related
  degree
• Experience conducting field work, recording data, and collaborating in a scientific environment
• Valid Driver’s License (vehicle will be provided)
• Proficient in speaking English; familiarity with Spanish language may be useful as well.

The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a continental-scale observation facility funded by the National Science Foundation and operated by Battelle. The NEON program is designed to collect long-term, open access ecological data to better understand how U.S. ecosystems are changing, from freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes to terrestrial systems spanning tropical forests to deserts to tundra. We depend on our people to collect observational data and samples, to monitor automated instrumented systems that collect terrestrial and aquatic data, and to operate our airborne observation platform that captures remote sensing data of regional landscapes and vegetation.

Within NEON, we have several different job opportunities that range from temporary to full-time positions. 

You can reach out to Bryce Duchesne, Duchesne@Battelle.org, with any questions!