Salary: $1900-2200/month DOE

Start Date: 8 April 2019

End Date: 10 – 20 August 2019 (techs will be expected to stay until their site finishes)

Last Date to Apply: 31 March, 2019

Description:

Technicians needed for an extensive research project in southern Idaho to examine the effects of spring cattle grazing on sage-grouse demographic traits and habitat characteristics. Primary duties include: measuring vegetation characteristics and grazing intensity, plant collecting and identification, mapping percent grass utilization by hiking continuously for the entire day over large areas, and data entry. Secondary duties will likely include: short-eared owl surveys, fence installation, and insect sampling. There may be some opportunity to participate in trapping and banding of sage-grouse at night in remote locations, using radio telemetry to track sage-grouse, and sage-grouse brood surveys. Tasks will vary depending on project needs and start date. All technicians will conduct substantial insect and vegetation sampling; technicians will conduct vegetation sampling for several consecutive weeks during which identifying grasses and forbs is required. All technicians will be expected to identify a set of common grasses and forbs to species prior to starting employment. Technicians will need to walk many hours daily over rough terrain (off-trail) in remote areas, and will be required to work unusual hours including at night and very early mornings. Technicians will work at one or more of 5 study sites in southern Idaho: Big Butte near Atomic City, ID; Jim Sage Mountains near Almo, ID; Browns Bench near Rogerson, ID; Sheep Creek near Grasmere, ID; and Pahsimeroi Valley near May, ID. Technicians may be moved between sites on short notice depending on project needs. All sites have nearby access to excellent hiking, fishing, rafting, mountain biking opportunities, and much more! Additionally, technicians will be part of a large research team with 2 graduate students, 20+ technicians, 5 crew leaders, a research scientist, and 2 state biologists working across 5 study sites. This highly collaborative project will involve working closely with botanists and wildlife professionals from Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Bureau of Land Management, and the University of Idaho. Start and end dates are somewhat flexible.

Qualifications:

Qualifications include an undergraduate degree (or working towards one) in rangeland ecology, botany, wildlife science, or a related field (e.g., Biology, Zoology, etc.). Applicants must have excellent interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, a valid driver’s license, willingness to travel, and willingness to live and conduct field research under rigorous and remote conditions during variable weather conditions (snow and rain early in the field season; heat at the end of the field season). Applicants with previous experience in vegetation monitoring and/or use of a taxonomic key will be given preference. Experience working/living in rural areas, ranching/farming operations, operating ATVs, and 4WD vehicles is also beneficial.