Student Employment Opportunities

Biological Science Aid - Summer 2012

ARS Soils Lab

Position Description:

MAJOR DUTIES: From initial hiring (May 2012) through return to campus (August/September 2012) the student will learn be responsible for insect pollinator identification and abundance assessments. These assessments will be conducted twice weekly in research and demonstration plots already sown with approximately a dozen cultivars (of several species) of winter and spring oilseed crops. The student will also learn how to assess phenological development of the crops, flower abundance, pollen loads, and nectar availabilities. Protein and sugar contents of pollen and nectar will be assessed in the lab. Student also will be expected to participate in routine plot maintenance.

Student’s office experiences will involve data recording and initial analyses. Most analyses are expected to involve Excel spreadsheet manipulations and graphical representations followed by simple statistical evaluations with programs such as Statistix. The student will be expected to give a 20-30 minute “exit seminar” at the termination of fulltime employment. The exit seminar will involve data collected, managed, and analyzed by the student.

Please list work experience dates (MO/DAY/YR to MO/DAY/YR) and number of hours worked per week. Work experience will not be credited without this information.

OPENING DATE: ASAP

CLOSING DATE: Until filled

Qualifications/Additional Comments:

Skills: Successful applicant should be able to communicate in English both orally and in writing at levels commensurate at minimum with those expected of a 1st-year university student. Experience with common computer software, such as spreadsheets, word processing, and electronic communication is essential. Ability to quickly learn to distinguish differing pollinating insects and capacity to visually differentiate abundances of crop flowers and pollinators are critical. Successful applicant also must be able to perform physical tasks (note-taking, walking, equipment hauling, etc.) in field environments that occasionally may be unpleasant because of heat, humidity, rain, mud, and insects, including honey bees. Additionally, successful applicant must be able and willing to work independently as well as with others in a cooperative and facilitative manner.

To apply for this summer position, please submit the following:
College transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
Resume
OF-306, which is available online at http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/.

USDA-ARS
803 Iowa Avenue
Morris, MN 56267

Hours Per Week:

Monday through Friday

• Arrangement of Hours: 40 hours per week
• Preferred Application Procedure(s): Contact Beth, ext. 100

Number of Positions Available