Outdoor Recreation Research Technician

Overview

This position will assist with data collection for the USDA Forest Services National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) Program. Field technicians will conduct on-site surveys with national forest visitors at recreation access points such as trailheads forest roads lakes and reservoirs resorts and other recreation sites across the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashely National Forest.

The data collected through these surveys are used by the USDA Forest Service to estimate annual visitation track recreation patterns and trends evaluate visitor experiences and recreation infrastructure and estimate the economic contributions associated with national forest recreation.

This position provides hands-on experience in outdoor recreation research visitor-use monitoring field data collection and national forest management.

Work schedules are dictated by a randomly generated survey schedule; however efforts are made to create consistency. Shifts are 6 hours long and fluctuate between 8am-2pm and 2pm-8pm. Drive time to and from survey locations is paid in addition to the 6-hour survey period. Shifts are expected to be elevated in October and decrease during the winter months then increase again during the spring and regarding work schedules will be further discussed with applicants during the interview process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct face-to-face surveys with national forest visitors at designated recreation sites.
• Interact professionally with a wide variety of forest visitors sometimes conducting up to 40 interviews per day.
• Travel independently to survey locations throughout the assigned national forest.
• Navigate to remote and unfamiliar recreation sites.
• Work independently for extended periods including in remote locations and varying weather conditions.
• Occasionally camp in remote areas for multiple days while completing survey assignments.
• Follow established survey protocols and accurately collect and record visitor-use data.
• Maintain a high level of organization safety awareness and professionalism while working in the field.

Qualifications

• Motivated dependable organized and self-sufficient.
• Comfortable approaching and interacting with unfamiliar people.
• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ablility to work independently and solve problems in the field.
• Safety-conscious and capable of exercising good judgment in remote settings.
• Comfortable spending extended periods alone in remote outdoor environments.
• Comfortable camping alone when required.
• Ablility to navigate remote and unfamiliar areas.

Required Documents

Along with the online application please attach:

• Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$20/hour

ADA

This position involves extensive fieldwork at recreation sites throughout the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests. Employees may work independently for extended periods in remote locations and in a variety of weather and environmental conditions. The position requires regular travel by vehicle navigating unfamiliar areas and occasionally camping in remote locations for multiple days.

Fieldwork may involve prolonged periods of standing sitting walking on uneven terrain and working outdoors with limited access to facilities. Employees must be able to remain alert and safety-conscious while traveling and working in remote areas.

The position also requires sustained interaction with the public including approaching and conducting interviews with numerous unfamiliar individuals throughout the workday. Employees must be comfortable working independently following established protocols managing changing field conditions solving problems and exercising sound judgment with limited direct supervision.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier land-grant public service university. As an R1 research institution Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local regional and global communities. USU prepares students to be active civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person at Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference officially joining on July 1 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 202526 with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors and to the community where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated . We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they named in 2023. about USU.

The university provides a to support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or .

*updated 07/2026

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities including in admissions and employment Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy Title IX or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring promotion transfer or termination based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race color religion sex familial status disability national origin source of income sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 08/2026

Required Experience:

IC