Rubenstein School Silviculture & Applied Forest Ecology Lab

Vermont Vegetation Field Crew Technicians or Crew Leader

Project: The University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking two(2) undergraduate field technicians and one(1) crew lead to assist on field studies examining the impacts of climate change and invasive species and associated adaptive forest management strategies on a spruce-fir forest in Vermont. Field technicians would work with multidisciplinary teams of graduate students and scientists from the University of Vermont, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.

Crews will train with staff and agency personnel to learn the data collection protocols, methods, and techniques. Following training, crews will be responsible for planning daily trips, maintaining equipment, traveling to and from field sites, and conducting field work. In addition to these responsibilities, the crew leader will also be responsible for managing a safe and inclusive work environment, relaying consistent communications between supervisor and field crew, and making decisions in the field for the crew.

Primary responsibilities:

• Establish long-term vegetation monitoring plots
• Conduct forest inventory data collection, including overstory tree measurements, vegetation and regeneration surveys, coarse woody material assessments
• Navigate to field plots using GPS and maps
• Ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection and management
• Collaborate with team members to support research goals
• For Crew Lead, maintaining communication with supervisor while out in the field

Required Qualifications

• Academic background in forestry, ecology or related fields
• Strong knowledge of forest inventory techniques and tree species identification preferred
• Physically capable of hiking and conducting daily field work in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions (heat, rain, biting insects)
• Crew lead applicants should have leadership experience and advanced field skills
• Valid driver’s license required

Physical Demands

Field-based roles typically involve data collection in remote locations with little to no cellular service. Crews will face challenging field conditions, including high temperatures, biting insects and heavy rainfall. Daily hikes of up to 5 miles while carrying up to 50 pounds will be required. Driving to designated sites for multiple hours and some 4×4 driving on unmaintained roads.

Position Details

Supervision: Field Technicians will work primarily with their designated crew members, and occasionally with personnel from collaborating agencies and Silviculture and Forest Ecology lab members.

Location: Silvio O Conte NWR, Nulhegan Basin Division, Brunswick, VT (housing and field vehicle provided)

• Start date: May 18^th, 2026
• End date: August 13^th, 2026
• Anticipated hours: 3 months, 40 hours per week (Mon-Thurs, 10 hours days)
• Compensation: $18-20 for crew members DOE, $20-22 for crew lead DOE

Interested candidates should e-mail a single PDF with cover letter describing their background, qualifications and interests along with a résumé and two references with subject line “VT Veg Crew – Your Name” to Grace Smith(grace.smith@uvm.edu). Please indicate in your email if you would like to be considered for the Crew Leader position. Review will begin January 2026 on a rolling basis. Positions remain open until they are filled. All interviews will be conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams

Seedling Field Crew Technicians or Crew Leader

Project: The University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking 2-3 field technicians and 1 crew lead based out of Burlington, VT to assist on field studies examining the impacts of climate change and invasive species and associated adaptive forest management strategies on planted seedlings in northern hardwood, mixedwood, and spruce-fir forests across various locations in Vermont. Field technicians will work with multidisciplinary teams of graduate students and scientists from the University of Vermont, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation, and The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.

Crews will train with staff and agency personnel to learn the data collection protocols, methods, and techniques. Following training, crews will be responsible for planning daily trips, maintaining equipment, traveling to and from field sites, and conducting field work. In addition to these responsibilities, the crew leader will also be responsible for managing a safe and inclusive work environment, relaying consistent communications between supervisor and field crew, and making decisions in the field for the crew.

Primary responsibilities:

• Conduct site preparation, planting and measurement of seedlings in remote areas
• Conduct survival monitoring, maintenance and competition control of previously planted seedlings
• Routine maintenance and operation of brush saws for clearing vegetation
• Navigate to field sites using GPS and maps
• Ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection and management
• Collaborate with team members to support research goals
• For Crew Lead, maintaining communication with monitoring coordinator while out in the field

Required Qualifications

• Academic background in forestry, ecology or related fields
• Strong knowledge of forest inventory techniques and tree planting experience preferred
• Physically capable of hiking and conducting daily field work in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions (heat, rain, biting insects)
• Crew lead applicants should have leadership experience and advanced field skills
• Valid driver’s license required

Physical Demands

Field-based roles typically involve data collection in remote locations with little to no cellular service. Crews will face challenging field conditions, including high temperatures, biting insects and heavy rainfall. Daily hikes of up to 5 miles while carrying up to 50 pounds will be required. Driving to designated sites for multiple hours and some 4×4 driving on unmaintained roads. Lodging will be provided during field stints to further locations, typically lasting 3-4 nights per week. There may be days where, due to travel, Field Technicians will be expected to work 10+ hours (when daylight allows).

Position Details

Supervision: Field Technicians will work primarily with their designated crew members, and occasionally with personnel from collaborating agencies and Silviculture and Forest Ecology lab members.

Location: Based in Burlington VT, with overnight travel of 3-4 days required for further locations for several weeks throughout the season (housing provided), field vehicle provided

• Start date: May 18^th, 2026
• End date: August 13^th, 2026
• Anticipated hours: 3 months, 40 hours per week (Mon-Thurs, 10 hours days)
• Compensation: $18-20 for crew members DOE, $20-22 for crew lead DOE

Interested candidates should e-mail a single PDF with cover letter describing their background, qualifications and interests along with a résumé and two references with subject line “Seedling Crew – Your Name” to Grace Smith(grace.smith@uvm.edu). Please indicate in your email if you would like to be considered for the Crew Leader position. Review will begin January 2026 on a rolling basis. Positions remain open until they are filled. All interviews will be conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams

NH Field Crew Technicians or Crew Leader

Project: The University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking 2-3 undergraduate field technicians and 1 crew lead to assist on field studies examining the impacts of climate change and invasive species and associated adaptive forest management strategies on northern hardwood, mixedwood, and spruce-fir forests in various locations across New Hampshire. Field technicians will work with multidisciplinary teams of graduate students and scientists from the University of Vermont, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, and The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.

Crews will train with staff to learn the data collection protocols, methods, and techniques. Following training, crews will be responsible for planning daily trips, maintaining equipment, traveling to and from field sites, and conducting field work. In addition to these responsibilities, the crew leader will also be responsible for managing a safe and inclusive work environment, relaying consistent communications between supervisor and field crew, and making decisions in the field for the crew.

Primary responsibilities:

• Conduct forest inventory data, including overstory tree measurements, vegetation and regeneration surveys, coarse woody material assessments
• Conduct survival monitoring, maintenance and competition control of planted seedlings
• Routine maintenance and operation of brush saws for clearing vegetation
• Navigate to field sites using GPS and maps
• Ensure accuracy and consistency in data collection and management
• Collaborate with team members to support research goals
• For Crew Lead, maintaining communication with monitoring coordinator while out in the field

Required Qualifications

• Academic background in forestry, ecology or related fields
• Strong knowledge of forest inventory techniques and tree species identification preferred
• Physically capable of hiking and conducting daily field work in rough terrain in harsh environmental conditions (heat, rain, biting insects)
• Crew lead applicants should have leadership experience and advanced field skills
• Valid driver’s license required

Physical Demands

Field-based roles typically involve data collection in remote locations with little to no cellular service. Crews will face challenging field conditions, including high temperatures, biting insects and heavy rainfall. Daily hikes of up to 5 miles while carrying up to 50 pounds will be required.

Position Details

Supervision: Field Technicians will work primarily with their designated crew members, and occasionally with personnel from collaborating agencies and Silviculture and Forest Ecology lab members.

Location: New Hampshire, housing at each field site and field vehicle provided. Crews will move housing based on project.

Interested candidates should e-mail a single PDF with cover letter describing their background, qualifications and interests along with a résumé and two references with subject line “NH Field Crew – Your Name” to Grace Smith(grace.smith@uvm.edu). Please indicate in your email if you would like to be considered for the Crew Leader position. Review will begin January 2026 on a rolling basis. Positions remain open until they are filled. All interviews will be conducted remotely using Microsoft Teams.