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Open Positions at Harvard Forest

Temporary Indoor/Outdoor Facilities Assistant (13-week position starting mid-April-May or June start possible)

Responsibilities:

Assist full time woods crew staff as needed on various projects, including but not limited to:

  • Marking boundaries
  • Moving livestock
  • Painting various structures such as wood road gates and research towers
  • Preparing fire wood
  • Assisting with land clearing operations using a brush saw

Requirements:

  • Must have been licensed to drive for at least 2 years.
  • Age: 18 years of age as of start date with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
  • Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
  • Comfortable working in any weather conditions either alone or in pairs in wooded locations. 
  • Positive attitude, good work ethic, and responsible work habits with team member mentality required. 
  • Able to prioritize daily tasks.

Terms of employment:

  • 40 hours per week
  • 7:30 am-4 pm M-F
  • $18.00 per hour (non-benefited)                  

Apply by sending cover letter, resume and contact information for 3 work related references to:

HFAPPS@FAS.HARVARD.EDU  (Applications accepted via email only)

SUBJECT LINE:  FACILITIES POSITION

No phone calls please.

Megaplot Field Technicians (eight positions, temporary, summer 2024)

Summary

The Harvard Forest (HF) seeks eight talented and enthusiastic individuals to oversee the re-census (sampling and data management) of a large-scale (35 ha) temperate forest plot. Reporting to HF Forest Ecologist Dr. David Orwig, the Field Technicians will work closely with scientists from the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) (www.ctfs.si.edu) and the Smithsonian Global Earth Observatory (SIGEO) to help ensure that sampling and data management are consistent with other temperate and tropical forest plots.

Duties and Responsibilities

Crews will work together in pairs to census, tag, paint, and map all woody stems ≥ 1 cm dbh within a portion of the 35-ha forest plot; Crews will also enter field data regularly into a CTFS database. 

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

College background in Botany, Ecology, Forestry, or Biology and ability to work well with others required. Desired skills include experience with vegetation sampling, knowledge of temperate New England forest flora and forest dynamics, skill with maps and compass, familiarity with mapping, tablets, and GIS software. Successful applicants will have strong interest to work with interdisciplinary science teams and serious interest in environmental research.  Regretfully, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Working Conditions

Must have a cheerful attitude while working outdoors under all weather conditions including cold and rainy days and sweltering summer heat with mosquitos, ticks, and black flies. Applicants must be capable of walking/hiking several miles each day carrying field equipment.  Must be able to lift 25 lbs. 

Compensation, Benefits and Application Process

Competitive salary for these 13-week temporary positions is $16.50/hr.   Positions will begin May 13, 2024 for up to 13 weeks. Apply by sending cover letter, resume and contact information for 3 relevant references to hfapps@fas.harvard.edu, Subject line: Megaplot project. Application review will begin immediately.                                                                                                                                                         

Harvard Forest

Harvard Forest, an internationally recognized center for basic research in forest ecology, is one of 28 Long Term Ecological Research sites across the country sponsored by the National Science Foundation.  The Forest facilities include a research and administrative complex, 4000 acres of land and 14 residential buildings which are located in Petersham, a small town in central Massachusetts. For more information about the Forest, visit our website at: http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu.

Project Team Philosophy 

We believe in conducting science with both humility and intellectual rigor. We respect all people and will combat institutional racism and gender bias at every opportunity. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and to fostering a welcoming and stimulating environment so that project participants can develop, grow, and achieve their professional goals.  

The Harvard Forest Community

Harvard Forest is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We have a Code of Conduct that clearly outlines expected conduct for members of our community, unacceptable conduct, and pathways for support for those who experience or witness misconduct. We have initiated an ongoing series of staff-wide trainings and formed a standing committee to build competence in DEIB in our workplace, improved physical and digital accessibility of our campus resources, and re-examined and replaced harmful artwork. We are working toward including Indigenous knowledge and communities in our research and education, land use, and public programs, improving field safety for at-risk populations, and diversifying our team of investigators and educators. The aim of this work is to collectively support and implement our mission: the investigation, understanding, and communication of the ways in which physical, biological, and human systems interact to change our Earth, while ensuring that all participants should feel that they are critical parts of the Harvard Forest community—whatever their identity groups. We welcome, recruit, develop, and advance talented staff, students, and visiting scholars from diverse backgrounds, and strive to ensure that all are included in our mission. Harvard Forest is also committed to supporting the work-life balance of its staff.

We particularly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in the sciences (Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members) and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

COVID-19

Harvard University does not currently require vaccinations for COVID but strongly encourages folks to follow CDC recommendations including being up to date on vaccines.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.