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Orben Pool Posting

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1. A Resume/Vita
2. A cover letter expressing your interest and describing how your skills and experience have prepared you for this position.

For additional information please contact: Rachael Orben at rachael.orben@oregonstate.edu.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title Orben Pool Posting
Appointment Type Student Employee
Job Location Corvallis
Position Appointment Percent 100
Appointment Basis 12
Pay Method Hourly
Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Remote or Hybrid option?
Min Hourly Rate $14.20 (Standard); $13.20 (Non-Urban); $15.45 (Portland Metro)
Max Hourly Rate $21.00 (Standard); $18.50 (Non-Urban); $21.50 (Portland Metro)
Position Summary
This recruitment pool will be used to fill field and desk-based student research assistant positions as they become available in the Seabird Oceanography Lab during the interval between the spring and fall terms.

Available positions will be described in greater detail on the Seabird Oceanography Lab Webpage (https://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/research/lab/seabird-oceanography-lab).

Field research will occur at various locations, including Port Orford, Cannon Beach, the Columbia River, and interior Oregon and Washington. The incumbent will assist members of the Seabird Oceanography Lab with grant-funded projects by contributing to research in one or more of the following study areas:
  • predation of seabirds by native terrestrial carnivores
  • tufted puffin diet
  • PIT tag recovery
  • waterbird colony counts
  • general studies of seabird ecology.
Position Duties
  • Collect a variety of data on seabird ecology in field settings, including both independent work and work within a field team.
  • Enter, validate, and organize biological datasets in both physical and digital formats.
  • Assist with the maintenance and organization of field research equipment.
  • Strictly adhere to Oregon State University field safety protocols.
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/stu-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

  • Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
  • Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
  • Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
    • High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
    • Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
    • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
    • Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
    • Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*


*International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.
Additional Required Qualifications
  • Incumbent must be physically capable of accessing and transporting gear at field sites. This work requires navigating rough/steep terrain, carrying up to 50 pounds of equipment, and potentially operating paddled watercraft.
  • Incumbent must be available to relocate to field locations for extended periods throughout the appointment duration. Housing will be provided at no cost to the incumbent during fieldwork assignments.
  • Incumbent must complete a Motor Vehicle History Check and possess a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence.


This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
  • Direct experience collecting biological data in the field
  • Up-to-date first aid and CPR certification
  • Experience in technical wildlife photography
  • Demonstrated proficiency with sea kayak (or other paddle craft) operation
  • Experience with rock climbing or hiking in dangerous terrain
  • Familiarity working with biological samples in a laboratory environment
  • Strong academic/professional interest in seabird conservation
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
  • This will be a pool position for the Orben Lab that will span through the end of the calendar year.
  • Student employees are eligible to work up to 40 hours per week when in an academic term off or in breaks between terms. More info HERE.
Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P10732SE
Number of Vacancies 3
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 06/16/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 02/15/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 12/31/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students
Special Instructions to Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1. A Resume/Vita
2. A cover letter expressing your interest and describing how your skills and experience have prepared you for this position.

For additional information please contact: Rachael Orben at rachael.orben@oregonstate.edu.

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions (as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents