Outdoor Recreation Research Technician

Overview

This position will assist with data collection for the USDA Forest Service’s 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 summer. Details 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

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 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, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, 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 will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

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 USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026