Position Function:
Approximate schedule will be from mid-May through mid-August 2025. The positions are full-time requiring a minimum 40-hour work week. Students wishing to receive internship credit will need to complete an internship agreement or practicum agreement and enroll in the appropriate course (Consult with your advisor). Fall and Spring Semester internship opportunities are also available, please inquire if interested. This position will be located at the White River National Wildlife Refuge at 57 CC Camp Road, St. Charles, AR 72140.
Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year.
Salary Grade: UC
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The Department of Forestry is one of three departments in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State University. The faculty have diverse teaching, research, service, and outreach expertise in the disciplines of forest biology and watershed management; forest economics, management, and policy; and forest measurements, biometrics, and spatial technologies. The Department has two undergraduate degree programs, Forestry and Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation, each accredited by the Society of American Foresters with ~200 students in addition to ~40 graduate students in both on-campus and distance education programs. The University’s John W. Starr Memorial Forest (a +8,000-acre research and teaching forest), the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tombigbee National Forest are located in close proximity to the University and used for teaching, research, and Extension/outreach activities.
Mississippi State University is a Carnegie Very High Research Activity (R1) institution and a land grant university with a strong connection to the state-wide Extension Service. The University is in Starkville, a medium-size college town in northeast Mississippi (www.msstate.edu/web/about).
Anticipated Appointment Date:
May 2025.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The positions will be located on a National Wildlife Refuge in the Southeast Region. Work will be under the direction of the Refuge Forester and/or Wildlife Biologist and may include conducting forest habitat evaluations, timber cruising, timber marking, invasive species control, and assisting with wildlife surveys, wildlife management activities, and general refuge operational work. The positions may require some travel to conduct work on other refuges as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: High School Diploma.
Licensure: Valid Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred candidates will be Junior, Senior, and or Graduate students who have knowledge regarding, Silvics, Dendrology, Mensuration, and Natural Resource Ecology and Wildlife Management. Experience with GIS applications and the use of field data loggers is also preferred, but not required. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply but will be limited to a total of 720 hours per calendar year. Students from other universities currently enrolled or recently graduated are also encouraged to apply.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Candidates must be able and willing to work in harsh field conditions.
Candidates should be knowledgeable about forest ecology as it relates to wildlife management.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
•Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
•Considerable physical activity. Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds. Physical work is a primary part (more than 70%) of job.
Candidates must be able and willing to work in harsh field conditions.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants should complete the online application at https://www.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Questions can be sent to Deputy Regional Forester Haven Barnhill at haven_barnhill@fws.gov; 404-855-9565
Screening Date:
May 26, 2025, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
