Mule Deer Seasonal Technician

State of Montana • Plains, MT

1d

About The Position

The Mule Deer Seasonal Technician works with research biologists, technicians, area biologists, and other staff to develop and carry out protocols for mule deer research. The technician becomes familiar with people and lands in the study areas, with particular attention to private landowner relationships, road networks, and access considerations, and locates deer through scouting and telemetry to identify capture locations in winter and summer.

The role supports winter captures of adult and subadult fawns and summer captures of neonate fawns, using Clover traps and other techniques. Duties include collecting biological measurements and samples, fitting tracking collars, monitoring deer, conducting timely field necropsies after mortality events, and collecting fecal and forage plant samples for diet and nutritional studies.

The technician works independently in remote and adverse conditions while following safety protocols, maintaining field and capture equipment, and communicating equipment needs. The role also involves entering and managing study data in various software platforms, reporting progress to collaborators, and communicating with cooperators and the public about study goals and techniques. Other duties may include supporting regional or research unit projects.

Requirements

• At least two years toward a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field.
• Ability to work independently in remote and adverse conditions while following safety protocols.
• Ability to make final decisions within assigned areas of responsibility and determine which issues require further review.
• Background investigation is required for a successful applicant.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of the bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Related work experience is preferred.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

• Work with research biologists, research technicians, area biologists, and other staff to develop and execute mule deer research protocols.
• Become familiar with study-area contacts and lands, including private landowner relationships, road networks, and access considerations.
• Locate mule deer through scouting and telemetry to identify target capture locations during winter and summer.
• Capture and handle adult and subadult fawns during winter and neonate fawns during summer, using Clover traps and other techniques.
• Collect biological measurements and samples from deer and fit tracking collars for subsequent monitoring of space use and survival.
• Conduct timely field necropsies when mortality events occur among collared deer.
• Collect fecal samples from collared deer for diet studies and samples of important forage plants for nutritional-quality measurements.
• Follow safety protocols while working independently in remote and adverse conditions.
• Maintain field supplies, capture equipment, and traps, and communicate equipment needs.
• Enter and manage data across software platforms for deer capture and handling, location monitoring, and field-sample collection.
• Summarize and report progress to project collaborators.
• Communicate with cooperators and the public regarding study goals and techniques.
• Provide support for other regional or research unit projects as needed.

Benefits

• Employees exceeding 1,040 hours in a calendar year are provided health, dental, and life insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• The position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed