Field Technician

Overview

We seek two field technicians to work independently to conduct a neonatal fawn capture and mortality follow-up study in southwestern Utah. The project runs from May 15 through August 30. This project is being conducted in collaboration with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Technicians with work closely with UDWR personnel, as well as student researchers from Utah State University and Brigham Young University. The goal of the project is to determine the influence of chronic wasting disease on neonatal fawn survival.

Responsibilities

The field technicians will locate, capture, sample, and radiocollar mule deer fawns; investigate fawn mortalities; and coordinate and conduct sample transport for ~60 mule deer does with vaginally implanted transmitters in the San Juan and La Sal areas of Utah (near Monticello and Moab). Technicians will coordinate with one another and with other project collaborators to complete capture events throughout the mule deer birth pulse. The work will be largely independently, with highly variable hours. Navigating and hiking through rugged terrain in extreme heat is required, as are odd hours corresponding to birth and mortality events. This is an excellent role for individuals hoping to connect with a large, multi-institutional research team. Technicians should expect to work approximately 40 hours per week, although weekly hours will vary substantially over the course of the field season.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in wildlife biology, ecology, or equivalent is required
• Excellent communication skills
• A positive attitude
• Ability to work outside throughout the duration of the season

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or at least two years of wildlife field work is strongly preferred
• Experience with wildlife capture, wildlife necropsy, intense backcountry field work, or coordination of complex project logistics

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV" 

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

 

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

Advertised Salary

$18/hour

ADA

This position requires considerable physical activity.  Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.) and/or pushing and pulling of heavy objects. Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions, such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting.  Employees work outside and will not be protected from weather conditions, including extreme cold and extreme heat for extended periods and may be exposed to unpleasant odors.  

College/Department Highlights

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies. 

The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s 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 28,900 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 Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of