Arkansas King Rail Habitat Technician

Job Classification: Hourly Assistant – Research Program Participant (1 position)

Title: King Rail Habitat Technician (Grant supported, hourly position)

Agency: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Cooperative Wildlife Unit, Illinois Natural History Survey

Location: Freddie Black Choctaw WMA, Arkansas City, AR (Desha County)

Description: One technician is needed to assist a Master’s student researching migration and breeding ecology, and habitat selection of King Rails (Rallus elegans) in southeastern Arkansas. The research is being conducted through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Cooperative Wildlife Unit, with their research partner the Illinois Natural History Survey. King Rails are listed as a state endangered species in Arkansas. Therefore, this project aims to learn about King Rail breeding and site fidelity and migration connectivity, discover nesting and brood rearing habitat, and compare habitat and abundance across the Arkansas Delta.

Qualifications: Candidates possessing a Bachelors degree in wildlife ecology, environmental science or related field are eligible to apply. The successful applicant will assist in the capture and tagging of adult and juvenile King Rails. Duties will include attaching VHF transmitters and tracking the birds’ movements using radio telemetry. Habitat surveys will be conducted at the homing locations of each bird, and recording vegetation type, water depth and vegetation density will be completed. Nest searches will also be conducted to search for King Rail nests. Responsibilities include data entry and management, maintenance of equipment and facilities, and other duties as assigned. The technician must have the ability to adjust to working varied schedules and long hours in hot, buggy marshes on uneven terrain on foot and small watercraft (kayaks) if necessary. Ideal applicants will have experience handling birds, telemetry, and collecting vegetation data. Experience with transmitter attachment desired but not required. Exceptional attention to detail, sense of humor and willingness to learn a must!

Salary: $14/hour at 40 hrs./week. Time and a half for any overtime. Free housing provided.

Duration: Successful applicant will begin April 15, 2022 and position will continue until July 15, 2022. Will be somewhat flexible for the right candidate.

To Apply: Qualified applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and three references in one PDF document to Jessica Schmit at jmschmit@uark.edu , with “Arkansas King Rail Technician” as the subject of the email. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by February 11, 2022 but review of applications will begin immediately. Electronic applications are required. Direct technical questions to Jess Schmit at the above email address.

Arkansas King Rail Job Posting FINAL.docx