Wildlife Damage Management Technician

Texas A&M University System•Leakey, TX

45d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wildlife Damage Management Technician conducts wildlife damage management services and activities using traps, snares, chemicals, tools, firearms and related equipment. This role involves obtaining agreements from landowners, ranchers, or administrators prior to conducting wildlife damage management services on private lands, and potentially contacting adjacent landowners or residents to advise of impending activities. The technician will maintain rapport and make regular contact with cooperators, and use a variety of control devices, chemicals, tools, firearms, and related equipment for wildlife and avian damage management operations. This includes preparing baits and lures, setting control devices, and performing simple, repetitive tasks requiring basic familiarity with biological, agricultural, and wildlife damage management operations. All operations must be conducted in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The position is also responsible for the maintenance, repair, and safekeeping of tools, supplies, and equipment. Specific duties include maintaining records for toxic materials used, participating in aerial hunting activities, maintaining weekly contact with the District Supervisor, and using GPS to identify locations of traps, snares, and M-44s. Safety is paramount in all operations, including the use of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and toxicants, ensuring the safety of self, coworkers, the public, and property. Routine and basic records of daily activities, observations, field conditions, or contacts made must be prepared accurately and submitted timely, along with weekly Management Information System (MIS) documents. Other related duties as required.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED.
Farm or ranch background.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Good computer skills.
Knowledge of biological sciences and local, state and federal laws regarding wildlife damage management activities.
Knowledge of various control devices, chemicals and tools required to manage damage caused by predators.
Ability to drive and travel as needed to perform duties.
Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.
Valid driver's license.
Must have access to personal vehicle and obtain/maintain valid Driver's license and appropriate liability insurance.
Must have willingness to work necessary hours to fulfill job responsibilities (some evenings and weekends).
Must reside in assigned county (NOTE: Urban designed counties exempt from this requirement).
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Responsibilities

Obtains agreements from landowners, ranchers, or administrators prior to conducting wildlife damage management services on private lands.
May be required to contact adjacent landowners or residents to advise of impending wildlife damage management activities.
Maintains rapport and makes regular contact with cooperators.
Uses a variety of various control devices, chemicals, tools, firearms, and related equipment utilized in wildlife and avian damage management operations.
Prepares baits and lures and sets control devices such as snares, traps, etc. in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Performs simple, repetitive tasks requiring only a basic familiarity of biological, agricultural, and wildlife damage management operations.
Conducts all operations in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Responsible for the maintenance, repair, and safekeeping of tools, supplies, and equipment.
When using M-44 or other toxic materials, must maintain records pursuant to the state pesticide statutes and regulations and Environmental Protection Agency use restrictions.
Participates as a gunner or ground crew member in aerial hunting activities as authorized by cooperative agreements and in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Maintains weekly contact with the District Supervisor to report wildlife damage management activities in assigned area.
Uses GPS to identify the location of set traps, snares and M-44s.
Demonstrates a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devises, and toxicants.
Conducts duties in a safe and orderly manner, so as not to endanger self, fellow workers, the general public or property.
Prepares routine and basic records of daily activities, observations, field conditions or contacts made for purposes of exchanging factual information.
Prepares management information system (MIS) documents weekly or as required.
Documents must be prepared accurately and submitted timely.
Other related duties as required.