Vegetation Monitoring Technician for Sage-Grouse Research in Southern Montana
We are looking for a technician to assist with a greater sage-grouse research project with the University of Wyoming. The project will focus on identifying priority seasonal habitat for sage-grouse in south-central Montana, near Bridger. The position will last approximately 2 months, beginning mid-May and ending in mid to late-July.
Duties include vegetation sampling using Line Intercept, Daubenmire and Robel pole methods; identifying sagebrush steppe shrubs and forbs; navigating using maps and GPS; data entry and proofing; and operating 4WD trucks and ATV’s in remote and rugged terrain. Technician will be part of a 2-3 person crew and will have the opportunity to assist other technicians with locating radio-marked grouse using radio telemetry, monitoring nests, and nighttime brood counts.
Work will require sharing camp trailers or apartments with other technicians, extensive hiking in rugged terrain, driving ATVs and 4WD trucks, long hours (> 40/wk; 10 or more hrs/day), and a willingness to endure potentially adverse environmental conditions including cold, heat, intense sun, dust, rain, snow, and biting insects. It is essential that applicants are able to work well with others and also work independently. Experience with vegetation surveys are a plus. Technicians will gain valuable experience in fieldwork, and wildlife and vegetation monitoring.
Start Date: mid-May, 2019
Final Date to Apply: February 10, 2019.
Salary: ~$1900/Month, housing provided.
Qualifications
Those who have earned or are pursuing degrees in wildlife ecology/science, rangeland ecology/science, botany, zoology, biology, ecology or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Successful applicants should have the ability to:
– Be detailed-oriented and take detailed field notes
– Legibly record field data and enter it into Excel spreadsheets
– Follow instructions and survey methodologies
– Navigate using maps and GPS equipment
– Work and live side-by-side with co-workers in shared housing
– Maintain positive attitude while working long days and >40 hrs/wk with variable work schedules and under extreme weather conditions
– Maintain positive attitude while completing repetitive and mundane tasks
– Assist with vegetation surveys
– Safely operate 4WD pickups and ATV’s
-Work independently and as part of a team
Preference will be given to those who have experience in the above job duties, but experience with every aspect of the work is not necessary. However, a willingness to learn is a must!
Please send a letter of interest (1 page), resume and contact information for 3 references as a single attached document (labeled with last name) via email to Erin Birtwistle. Please include dates you are available to start work. Applicants will be reviewed starting February 10th.
Contact person: Erin Birtwistle (ebirtwis at uwyo.edu)