Deer Field and Lab Technician-2

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

6d•$48,000 - $52,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position will run the field program studying the transmission dynamics of various diseases in both mule deer and whitetail deer in Northern Colorado. The individual will assist in capturing deer via clover traps, drop nets, and darting. The individual will be responsible for the collection and processing of biological samples, ear tags, collar placement, and other aspects of capture workups. In addition, the individual will be trained to manage laboratory samples, support laboratory analyses, and perform necropsies on dead animals. This study has a large recapture component; thus, the individual must have extensive experience locating and darting collared deer. The individual will also be responsible for other tasks, including landowner relations, trap and equipment maintenance, supplies management, volunteer coordination and supervision, mortality investigation/collar retrieval. The individual will be organized, meticulous, and confident working alone and in groups. Work hours can be irregular and vary by season. During winter and early spring, the individual will be responsible for checking traps for deer in the morning daily. The individual will also dart and drop net deer depending on trap success and deer movement. In late spring and summer, trapping will discontinue due to heat exhaustion for deer and does will not be captured due to fawning. Thus, the individual will focus on capturing and recapturing bucks in early mornings and cool evenings. Summer will be slowest and capture efforts will be lowest and mortalities likely highest. During this period, the individual will spend more time on lab support and lab work. The individual will not work more than an average of 40 hours/week, although workloads will be higher in winter and lower in the summer.

Requirements

BS/BA in Natural Resources or a related field.
1+ years of wildlife experience; including with ground darting deer.
Extensive animal capture experience using dart guns.
Experience locating animals via VHF telemetry receiver and antenna.
Knowledge of northern Colorado wild deer ranges and tendencies.
Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one by the employment start date.
Legally eligible to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date.
Organized, meticulous, and confident working alone and in groups.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience locating and darting collared deer.

Responsibilities

Run the field program studying the transmission dynamics of various diseases in mule deer and whitetail deer.
Assist in capturing deer via clover traps, drop nets, and darting.
Collect and process biological samples, ear tags, and collar placement.
Manage laboratory samples, support laboratory analyses, and perform necropsies on dead animals.
Locate and dart collared deer for recapture efforts.
Manage landowner relations.
Maintain traps and equipment.
Manage supplies.
Coordinate and supervise volunteers.
Investigate mortalities and retrieve collars.
Check traps for deer daily in the morning during winter and early spring.
Dart and drop net deer depending on trap success and deer movement.
Focus on capturing and recapturing bucks in early mornings and cool evenings during late spring and summer.
Spend more time on lab support and lab work during the summer.
Determine appropriate drug dosages for deer.
Adjust proper size for collars placed on deer.
Determine cause of mortality for deer and assist with necropsy.
Prepare samples and perform lab workup of samples.
Decide which deer to dart and sample.
Decide which samples to collect and when to reverse deer.
Decide which volunteers are capable of supporting field work.
Manage duties suitable for volunteers.