Temp Field Technician - Biology

Salary/Position Classification

• 22.00 hourly, Non-Exempt (Eligible for overtime)
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): No

Purpose of Position

The effort on this study supports ongoing work within UND evaluating the effects of changes in snowpack and habitat on wildlife populations. Specifically, this project will evaluate the effects of ecological silvicultural practices (variable density thinning) on snowshoe hare demography and space use over a two-year period. We will also evaluate responses of other boreal forest obligates (e.g., spruce grouse) to these silvicultural practices

Duties & Responsibilities

• Live-trapping, handling, and collaring snowshoe hares
• Snowshoe hares will be live-trapped, radio-collared, and monitored via telemetry from mid-June through mid-August.
• All field activities listed below will be led by the technician with training by PI-Sirén.
  • The technician will lead live-trapping efforts, including setting, baiting, and checking live-traps.
  • The technician will lead handling, ear-tagging, and radio-collaring (VHF and GPS collars) as well as the collection of morphological data and genetic data (tissue sample from ears).
  • The technician will conduct weekly telemetry surveys to obtain locations on a subset of individuals with VHF collars and perform necropsy investigations on any deceased hares.
• Camera and acoustic recording unit surveys
• The technicians will also learn a camera-trap (CT) and acoustic recording unit (ARU) protocol and establish sites within the study area. This fieldwork will mostly occur during hare surveys as CTs/ARUs will be located adjacent or within the snowshoe hare sampling sites.
• Administrative work
• Technicians will be required to directly report to project supervisors/cooperators prior to leaving and upon finishing surveys, except when the supervisor is present. Communication will occur either in person or through email/phone during the evening to discuss work and plans for the coming day(s). All field data will be entered and emailed daily to the project supervisor if they are not present. 

Required Competencies

• Capability to work independently and communicate effectively with project partners and collaborators
• Leadership experience
• Problem-solving skills

Minimum Requirements

• An undergraduate degree (BS) in wildlife ecology or a related field
• At least 4 seasons of experience live-trapping and radio-collaring mammals and performing radiotelemetry to obtain locations of radio-collared animals.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer to have someone that has prior experience with live-trapping and radio-collaring snowshoe hares and conducting CT and ARU surveys.
• We also prefer that the candidate has experience with conducting telemetry and necropsy surveys for hares, following detailed protocols, and driving in remote areas

To Apply

To ensure a successful screening, make sure your application materials reflect how you meet the minimum requirements of the position listed above.