Sage-Grouse in Central Oregon - Bio Sci Research Techs

Description: Hiring up to 3 technicians to assist with greater sage-grouse research in central Oregon from March through August of 2024. Duties may include, but are not limited to, sage-grouse capturing, VHF/UHF telemetry, nest and 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. 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 ~5 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 and 4WD experience is preferred, and technicians must be capable of demonstrating proficiency in loading ATVs into a truck bed. Shared housing and work vehicles are provided.

Additional position description details can be found here: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/146714

To apply, please follow this application link (https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/147090) to Oregon State University’s website. Applications will continue to be accepted through January 14, 2024.

Salary: $15.59 per hour + housing

Start Date: After March 04, 2024 (somewhat flexible)  

Qualifications:

· Two years of college-level courses in wildlife, range ecology, or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

· Ability to work in a crew as a communicative, productive member, as well as to work alone/independently in a remote setting.

· Possess good common sense and problem-solving skills, have strong work ethic, drive, and efficiency, and be detail oriented.

· Pass the provided US Fish and Wildlife Service’s ATV/UTV Safety Certification course OR present current certificate from this training course within 30 days of start date

· Ability to navigate using GPS, map, and compass.

· Ability to be flexible in work schedule and duties.

· Commitment to working professionally and inclusively with people from all backgrounds.

· Successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per Oregon State University Standard: 05-010 et seq.

· Successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per Oregon State University Policy 05-030.

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

· Demonstrated previous ATV and 4-wheel drive experience.

· Demonstrated previous field research experience.

· Experience working with radio telemetry tracking.

· Experience in gamebird research (e.g., trapping, nest checks, brood surveys, mortality recovery, etc.).

· Experience with vegetation sampling (e.g. baseline line-intercept, Daubenmire frame surveys, etc.).

· Experience with botany and familiarity with the sagebrush steppe plant community.

· Skills in raptor identification with visual observation for species in the sagebrush steppe.

· Experience with spotlighting techniques for capturing animals.

· Life experience, education, or training that broadens capacity to equalize student success or impact underserved audiences.

Website: https://www.hagenwildlife.org/

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