Field Research Executive Career Information
Specific duties would include working with the team in all aspects of project management, including:
• Desk research
• Questionnaire design and piloting
• Briefing of, and liaison with, field managers/interviewers, in-house and sub-contractors
• Management of sub-contractors and freelance consultants, where appropriate
• Liaison with clients in project execution
• Face-to-face interviews with key respondents (UK and overseas)
• Administration of focus groups (UK and overseas)
• Data analysis
• Assistance in administration of advanced research techniques
• Assistance in production/reporting of survey results
• Assistance in design/production of presentations to clients
• Miscellaneous tasks necessary to the successful design/execution of research projects
What a Field Research Executive does
Field Trips: The field trips, constituting an important part of the functions of a Field Research Executive, targets at important institutions that highlight essential management functions, including financial analysis, strategic management, marketing, project management and supply chain management.
The research plan is divided into three components or areas of work to complete:
I] The first research component will examine the biodiversity benefits of restoration. Differences in ecological development will be compared over time in an area, under restoration and a grassy paddock area.
Research projects related to this component currently include:
• Mixed species planting
• Terrestrial vertebrates and population dynamics in restored rainforest
• Bird diversity and population dynamics in restored rainforest- colonization of restored rainforests
• Bird diversity and population dynamics in restored rainforest- use of restored rainforests
• Seed dispersal through avian vectors
II] The second component will examine the extent to which herbicide application regimes maximize biodiversity benefits, as well as the cost efficiency of site maintenance practices required for restoration.
This component is based on the need to have a better understanding of the management and maintenance of sites to promote restoration - how do we restore rainforest?
This information is particularly critical for land-care and other tree planting groups. Specific information is needed about the most ecologically beneficial and cost effective practices for restoration site management, what influences plant recruitment, and the site conditions which enable recruitment to begin and progress.
Research projects related to this component currently include:
• Soil seed bank
• Mapping soil types
• Weed emergence and seedling recruitment
• Invertebrate population and dynamics
• Factors that influence economic effectiveness of maintenance practices
III] The third component is developing restoration plans on a local and regional basis. This work will help us to support the efforts of local land-care groups, community members and other agencies working towards increasing the total area of rainforest and connecting existing rainforest fragments.
Abilities & Traits Required
Experience: Prior field experience with plant or animal surveying and monitoring desired. Familiarization with California plant species and communities, ecological restoration, and conservation biology a plus. Good oral communication skills are needed. Ability to work both independently or as part of a team is essential.
Technical skills: Knowledge of basic word processing and database programs needed. Experience with GPS and GIS a plus. Possession of Class C Drivers License. Four wheel drive experience a plus. Careful and conscientious; attention to detail is essential.
Physical demands: Including but not limited to: ability to work and hike outdoors in all weather conditions, ability to work long hours outdoors, ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Field work involves limited manual labor, hiking over steep, rugged terrain with occasionally unstable rocky substrate and cactus or poison oak, and routine handling of plants.
Working Conditions and Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The environment, usually comprises of the Middle Ranch regions, with moderate noise levels and is a non-smoking environment
• Field conditions are strongly weather-dependent and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending on season and degree of exposure
• Smoking is allowed only at limited designated field sites
• Wild animals such as bison and rattlesnakes may also be encountered in the field and pose some threat
The work-week is considered as a forty hour, five day work-week. Work also occasionally takes place on weekends, in which case equivalent time off will be given the following week. Facilities like Housing is provided though access to transportation modes may be limited, esp. within the Ranch regions will be provided.
Qualifications
BA. or BSc in botany, biology, environmental studies, or equivalent from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience in natural resource monitoring.
Salary
A competitive salary/benefits package will be offered. The seniority of the appointee and starting salary will be dependent on age/experience.
Pay range: The preferred pay range is nearly Rs 15000 on a monthly basis.