Sage-Grouse Field Technicians: Central & Eastern Oregon

Description: Hiring four technicians to assist with greater sage-grouse research at 2 study areas in central and eastern Oregon from March through August of 2023. Duties may include, but are not limited to, sage-grouse capturing, lek counts, VHF/UHF telemetry, nest monitoring, brood monitoring, transmitter recovery, vegetation sampling, and raptor-raven point counts. The primary work focus will be collecting sage-grouse demographic data under the supervision of a graduate student and post-doctoral researcher. Working hours are variable (some nights/weekends) but average 40 hours per week. Night and early morning work is typical throughout the brood-rearing period and during the peak of the summer to avoid heat. Strenuous hiking (up to ~8 miles per day) in inclement conditions (rain, snow, mud, 0-95 degrees F) can be expected. Technicians must be capable of hiking with 85 L packs containing sampling/monitoring equipment in rugged terrain. Occasional camping during the work week in a remote field setting should be expected. Employees must be able to work under the supervision of a graduate student but conduct data collection independently in an isolated environment following established protocols with excellent attention to detail. Previous ATV experience is preferred, and technicians must be capable of demonstrating proficiency in loading ATVs into a truck bed. Housing and work vehicles are provided.

Salary: $15.00 per hour + housing

Start Date: ~March 15, 2023 (somewhat flexible)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or working toward a degree in wildlife, range ecology, or a related field
• Previous field research experience
• ATV and 4WD experience
• Navigation experience using GPS, map, and compass
• Strong work ethic, drive, and efficiency
• Flexibility in work schedule and duties
• Ability to work both alone and as part of a team in remote settings
• Ability to calmly handle difficult situations (e.g., flat tires, broken ATVs, stuck vehicles)
• Physically fit and able to lift 50 pounds
• U.S. Citizenship
• Clean driving record

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Professional, off-road ATV driving
• Radio telemetry
• Gamebird research (e.g., trapping, nest checks, brood surveys, mortality recovery, etc.)
• Vegetation sampling (e.g. baseline line-intercept, Daubenmire frame surveys, etc.)
• Botany experience and familiarity with sagebrush steppe plant community
• Raptor identification with visual observation for species in sagebrush steppe
• Avian spotlighting
• Ability to work in inclement weather and live/work in remote conditions

To Apply: To apply, please send a cover letter describing your qualifications, resume/CV, and contact information for three references in a single PDF document to rebecca.kelble@oregonstate.edu with “2023 Sage-Grouse Technician” in the subject line. Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found. 

Website: https://agsci-labs.oregonstate.edu/hagen/

Contact: Rebecca Kelble - rebecca.kelble@oregonstate.edu