Prospective Undergraduate Students
Undergraduates play an important role in my research program and I typically have opportunities for undergraduate researchers to work at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory on Oregon State University’s campus. If you are an undergraduate and interested in working in my lab, please contact me to schedule a time to discuss opportunities and potential research projects.
Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate students are integral components of my research lab. All graduate students in the lab attend Oregon State University and I typically co-advise students with one of my university collaborators. I have limited access to teaching assistantships, so before accepting graduate students I ensure funding to support a research assistantship is secured prior to advertising the position. When hiring graduate students, I seek someone with a diversity of life experiences as well as a solid academic record and experience in wildlife research outside of the classroom. Ecology is a quantitative science and most of our projects require strong quantitative skills, so I typically seek students with interest and capacity for learning and using quantitative methods. I make every effort to ensure students and their research are adequately supported, and that they have opportunities to present their findings at scientific meetings. As a philosophy, I try to maintain a friendly and supportive atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect within my lab. My goal is to have all current and former lab members as life-long colleagues and potential collaborators. I will post current openings on this website and typically advertise on several wildlife related job boards.
Prospective Post-Doctoral Scientists
I typically have 1-2 post-docs working in my lab and my general philosophy is as with graduate students. I view the relationship as colleagues, not supervisor-employee. Look through my publications, projects, and research interests; if your research interests are similar, please contact me to schedule a time to discuss current or future opportunities.
Collaborators
Nearly all of my projects are conducted with one or more collaborators. I have found that projects are strengthened when intellectual and resource contributions come from multiple sources. If you are interested in collaborating or just want find out more about our research, please contact me.
Undergraduates play an important role in my research program and I typically have opportunities for undergraduate researchers to work at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory on Oregon State University’s campus. If you are an undergraduate and interested in working in my lab, please contact me to schedule a time to discuss opportunities and potential research projects.
Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate students are integral components of my research lab. All graduate students in the lab attend Oregon State University and I typically co-advise students with one of my university collaborators. I have limited access to teaching assistantships, so before accepting graduate students I ensure funding to support a research assistantship is secured prior to advertising the position. When hiring graduate students, I seek someone with a diversity of life experiences as well as a solid academic record and experience in wildlife research outside of the classroom. Ecology is a quantitative science and most of our projects require strong quantitative skills, so I typically seek students with interest and capacity for learning and using quantitative methods. I make every effort to ensure students and their research are adequately supported, and that they have opportunities to present their findings at scientific meetings. As a philosophy, I try to maintain a friendly and supportive atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect within my lab. My goal is to have all current and former lab members as life-long colleagues and potential collaborators. I will post current openings on this website and typically advertise on several wildlife related job boards.
Prospective Post-Doctoral Scientists
I typically have 1-2 post-docs working in my lab and my general philosophy is as with graduate students. I view the relationship as colleagues, not supervisor-employee. Look through my publications, projects, and research interests; if your research interests are similar, please contact me to schedule a time to discuss current or future opportunities.
Collaborators
Nearly all of my projects are conducted with one or more collaborators. I have found that projects are strengthened when intellectual and resource contributions come from multiple sources. If you are interested in collaborating or just want find out more about our research, please contact me.
Current opportunities:
We are hiring for our 2022 spring/summer bioacoustics field crew! Please note multiple grade levels and locations.
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Research Station
Project: Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Multiple temporary Biological Sciences Technician positions (GS-0404-05, GS-0404-06, GS-404-07) will be available at the following locations:
Cle Elum, WA; Corvallis, OR; OR Roseburg, OR; Medford, OR; Springfield (Blue River), OR; Willow Creek, CA.
The following positions will be open 8/16/2021 and close at 11:59 EST 8/23/21:
Position and Announcement Numbers:
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-5 Announcement number: 22-TEMP2-PNW-0021-5DT-SB
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-6 Announcement number: 22-TEMP2-PNW-0019-6DT-BV
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-7 Announcement number: 22-TEMP2-PNW-0031-7DT-NB
Note that not all locations/grades may be filled as the site-specific personnel needs for 2022 are still under development. Please apply only for locations you are willing to
Introduction The Pacific Northwest Research Station is filling multiple Biological Science Technician positions for the 2022 field season. Openings are available at the GS-5, GS-6, and GS-7 levels. These are TEMPORARY SEASONAL (1039) wildlife technician positions with a maximum six-month tour schedule. The anticipated start date is February 28, 2022 and conclude August 31, 2021. Agency housing is not available in some locations, so applicants should assume that housing costs are not provided. Technicians will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the duty station office location. Positions will be full-time (40+ hours/week) with a typical week of 4 10-hour workdays.
Summary of Position
Primary responsibilities include:
There may be limited opportunity at some locations to participate in other team projects towards the end of the season, including tree climbing and small mammal live trapping.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online at https://www.usajobs.gov/. You will be required to create a USAJOBS account and either create a resume or upload your own. Use the announcement numbers listed above to navigate to the appropriate position. Click “Apply Online” and follow the prompts to complete the online application. **Please note that the description of duties outlined here is more detailed and up-to-date than what may be posted online.
Required Documents
For a complete list of required documents, refer to the USAJOBS vacancy announcement, but you are required to include the following:
• Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience; and, 5) other qualifications.
• College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application, however, if selected an official college transcript will be required.
• DD-214 and/or SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference if claiming Veterans’ Preference or eligibility for appointment under the VRA, VEOA, or 30% Disabled Veterans hiring authority.
Selection Considerations for GS-05
• Successful completion of a full 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics.
• Good to excellent hearing and ability to discriminate between similar sounding species.
• Previous field experience should include practical orienteering usage of compass and maps.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Ability to follow a standard protocol and take directions from the team leader.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
Selection Considerations for GS-06
•Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position.
• One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience include prior experience maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
•Ability to work with others as a team and independently
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology
Selection Considerations for GS-07
• Educational experience as required for GS-05 and GS-06, plus one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience must include prior experience leading a crew in setting up, maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units to develop intensive scientific information.
• Strong preference will be given for those with experience training other members of a team or group and developing schedules and timelines for crew members.
• A combination of experience and education does not meet the requirements for this position. Education does not constitute an equivalence to experience.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Serves as crew lead in the absence of the project leader.
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
We are hiring for our 2022 spring/summer bioacoustics field crew! Please note multiple grade levels and locations.
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Research Station
Project: Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Multiple temporary Biological Sciences Technician positions (GS-0404-05, GS-0404-06, GS-404-07) will be available at the following locations:
Cle Elum, WA; Corvallis, OR; OR Roseburg, OR; Medford, OR; Springfield (Blue River), OR; Willow Creek, CA.
The following positions will be open 8/16/2021 and close at 11:59 EST 8/23/21:
Position and Announcement Numbers:
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-5 Announcement number: 22-TEMP2-PNW-0021-5DT-SB
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-6 Announcement number: 22-TEMP2-PNW-0019-6DT-BV
Biological Sciences Technician (Wildlife) GS-7 Announcement number: 22-TEMP2-PNW-0031-7DT-NB
Note that not all locations/grades may be filled as the site-specific personnel needs for 2022 are still under development. Please apply only for locations you are willing to
Introduction The Pacific Northwest Research Station is filling multiple Biological Science Technician positions for the 2022 field season. Openings are available at the GS-5, GS-6, and GS-7 levels. These are TEMPORARY SEASONAL (1039) wildlife technician positions with a maximum six-month tour schedule. The anticipated start date is February 28, 2022 and conclude August 31, 2021. Agency housing is not available in some locations, so applicants should assume that housing costs are not provided. Technicians will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the duty station office location. Positions will be full-time (40+ hours/week) with a typical week of 4 10-hour workdays.
Summary of Position
Primary responsibilities include:
- Deploying, maintaining, and retrieving autonomous recording units off road and trails to monitor for the presence of multiple forest wildlife species.
- Driving, hiking, and snowshoeing in difficult terrain in field locations.
- Navigating (including orientation using GPS, map and compass) off trail across steep, rough, uneven, unstable, and brushy slopes in both cold and wet, and hot and dry weather conditions.
- Staying overnight in the backcountry possible for some study locations.
- Performing miscellaneous tasks as needed to facilitate fieldwork, including:
- Keeping accurate field notes, documentation, and report writing.
- Entering data and transferring acoustic files onto permanent storage media.
- Validating functioning of units prior to deployment and in the field.
- Independently troubleshooting equipment errors in the field.
- GS-6 positions will serve as experienced crew members and assist the crew leaders with training field crew.
- GS-07 positions will serve as on-site crew leaders
There may be limited opportunity at some locations to participate in other team projects towards the end of the season, including tree climbing and small mammal live trapping.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply online at https://www.usajobs.gov/. You will be required to create a USAJOBS account and either create a resume or upload your own. Use the announcement numbers listed above to navigate to the appropriate position. Click “Apply Online” and follow the prompts to complete the online application. **Please note that the description of duties outlined here is more detailed and up-to-date than what may be posted online.
Required Documents
For a complete list of required documents, refer to the USAJOBS vacancy announcement, but you are required to include the following:
• Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience; and, 5) other qualifications.
• College Transcripts if education is required for meeting basic qualifications and/or you are substituting education for specialized experience. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application, however, if selected an official college transcript will be required.
• DD-214 and/or SF-15 Application for 10-point Veteran Preference if claiming Veterans’ Preference or eligibility for appointment under the VRA, VEOA, or 30% Disabled Veterans hiring authority.
Selection Considerations for GS-05
• Successful completion of a full 4 year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics.
• Good to excellent hearing and ability to discriminate between similar sounding species.
• Previous field experience should include practical orienteering usage of compass and maps.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Ability to follow a standard protocol and take directions from the team leader.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
Selection Considerations for GS-06
•Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in wildlife or other related fields, that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must be directly related to this position.
• One year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Examples of specialized experience include prior experience maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
•Ability to work with others as a team and independently
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology
Selection Considerations for GS-07
• Educational experience as required for GS-05 and GS-06, plus one year of specialized work experience equivalent to the GS-6 level. Examples of specialized experience must include prior experience leading a crew in setting up, maintaining, trouble-shooting specialized equipment with preference for previous work with autonomous recording units to develop intensive scientific information.
• Strong preference will be given for those with experience training other members of a team or group and developing schedules and timelines for crew members.
• A combination of experience and education does not meet the requirements for this position. Education does not constitute an equivalence to experience.
• Capable of working in rugged outdoor settings, self-motivated under minimal supervision.
• Snowmobile and winter backcountry experience beneficial.
• Serves as crew lead in the absence of the project leader.
• Ability to follow standardized protocols and instruct others in proper procedures.
• Valid driver’s license is required and excellent driving record.
• Desire for a career in wildlife biology.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Lesmeister Predator-Prey Lab
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Oregon State University
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97330
541-750-7250
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Oregon State University
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97330
541-750-7250