Sage-Grouse Crew Lead - Wyoming

Job Description:

One person is needed to lead a crew of two technicians to collect data for ongoing research on 1) the influence of predator communities on greater sage-grouse habitat use and reproductive success, and 2) the effect of cattle presence and different grazing regimes on sage-grouse. This data collection is in support of PhD student research in the department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences in conjunction with research goals from Bureau of Land Management and local sage-grouse working groups.

Compensation: $18.00-$21.00/hr

Start Date: April 6th, 2023

End Date: July 31st, 2023

Location: Cody, WY

Primary duties:

•          Supervising technicians, planning and assigning field work, assisting with training, managing gear and data, day-to-day decision making in the field.

•          Assisting with the capture and collaring of greater sage-grouse hens

•          Using radio telemetry to track VHF-marked sage-grouse to monitor their nests and broods

•          Deploying and checking trail cameras to document the abundance of cattle and mammalian sage-grouse predators 

•          Conducting avian point count surveys to document the abundance of sage-grouse avian predators

•          Conducting vegetation sampling surveys at sage-grouse nest locations

•          Conducting ground transect surveys to estimate cattle and mammalian predator presence

Study sites are located in the Bighorn Basin, just east of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This position requires working long and irregular hours, night work (during grouse trapping), and early mornings under adverse field conditions (wind, rain, snow, mud). Temperatures during the field season can range from snow/freezing conditions in early spring to 100F+ temperatures in the summer. The ability to drive several hours to and from study areas each day and hike 3-10 miles per day over rugged, rocky terrain while carrying a backpack of equipment weighing up to 25 pounds is required. Some camping may be required to complete data collection.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

•          2 years of college-level courses in Wildlife Biology, Rangeland Ecology, or related field PLUS at least one year of related field experience (prior sage-grouse work and/or telemetry experience)

•          Prior crew lead or leadership experience

•          Effective communication and interpersonal skills

•          Experience driving 4WD vehicles

•          Ability to work in inclement weather and live/work in remote conditions

•          Ability to safely navigate in remote areas using topographic maps, compass, and GPS

•          Capable of hiking up to 10 miles off trail in rugged terrain carrying up to 25 lbs of equipment

•          Valid Driver’s License

•          Satisfactory Criminal History Check

Preferred:

•          Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Rangeland Ecology, or related field.

•          Experience driving ATVs and/or UTVs

•          Experience using radio telemetry to track wildlife

•          Experience with bird capture and handling

•          Ability to identify Western birds by sight and sound

•          Experience conducting vegetation surveys

•          Experience working in the sagebrush steppe

•          CPR/First Aid Certified

•          Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity

TO APPLY, please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of 3 professional references in a single document to Jonathan Dinkins and Stephanie LeQuier at jonathan.dinkins@oregonstate.edu and stephanie.lequier@oregonstate.edu with the subject line, "Sage-Grouse Crew Lead_YOURLASTNAME". Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable applicant is found.