Job Description
Researchers at California State University (CSU), San Marcos and CSU, Chico, in partnership with the US Forest Service, seek capable individuals for field-based positions as Recreational Use Surveyors on US National Forests (May-September 2023: Shasta Trinity, Humboldt, Six Rivers, Mendocino; October 2023-September 2024: Los Padres, San Bernardino, and Cleveland). Duties include conducting visitor-use counts of recreation visitors at picnic areas, trailheads, campgrounds, scenic highways, and general forest areas.
This position requires driving to pre-determined forest locations (rental vehicle provided, if needed), completing six hours of visitor-use counts, and writing basic summaries about data collection sessions. This work is part-time with most survey days scheduled on weekends with some data collection occurring periodically during the week. Excellent opportunity to participate in a national research program related to public lands management and to gain valuable work experience in partnership with the CSU and US Forest Service. Typical daily compensation includes six to eight paid hours plus a mileage reimbursement and travel time. This is an excellent opportunity to be involved in a national research and data collection program that has real-world implications for the management of the US National Forest system.
Qualifications:
- Some college preferred, open to all interested majors
- Maintain a professional appearance and positive attitude
- Be comfortable speaking with people and effectively communicating with survey team
- Work independently
- Ability to administer questionaries to National Forest visitors and to understand basic questionnaire protocol
- Responsibilities and Tasks:
- Ability to set up site signs and traffic counters according to national survey protocol
- Interviewer must adhere to all safety rules
- Surveyors must have transportation to and from survey locations
- Maintain accurate records and communicate with supervisors
- Surveyors must be able to follow detailed survey protocol
- Recreational Use Surveyors will develop:
- Knowledge of – and skills in – field-based social science data collection to understand visitors and visitor use in protected area settings
- Social science land management reporting methods
- Expertise in public contacts in protected area settings
- Place-based knowledge of California’s National Forests
- Professional connections with CSU researchers and US Forest Service personnel
How to apply: Send short statement expressing your interest in the position and your resume via email to Dr. Jesse Engebretson ([email protected]) and/or Dr. Robert Brown ([email protected]).