Wildlife Technician

Colorado State University • Hilo, HI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wildlife Technician works for the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) at Colorado State University, supporting the Wildlife Program at Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaii’s Big Island. The position is contingent on funding and is described as temporary hourly. The work site is approximately 45 minutes from Hilo and Kona.

The technician provides field support for native and invasive species management, primarily as part of a field crew but sometimes independently. Work is approximately 90% in the field and 10% in an office or indoor setting. Duties include invasive species management, Hawaiian fauna monitoring, data collection and reporting, and lethal and non-lethal predator control. The role also uses electronic devices to monitor wildlife and may involve occasional overnight camping at remote work sites, for up to three nights at a time. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Full consideration requires receipt of applications by November 21, 2026. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not provided. Employment requires a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one by the employment start date, pre-employment background checks, and compliance with requirements to obtain a Common Access Card, including completion of a NACI/SF85 and passing a federal background check.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• At least 6 months of experience in natural resource management, including managing invasive species in natural areas.
• Experience operating and maintaining power equipment used in vegetation control, including line trimmers, backpack sprayers, or chainsaws.
• Experience using a handheld GPS unit and/or mobile data collector to navigate in the field.
• Experience collecting accurate field data and entering it into databases.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and Access.
• Experience driving four-wheel-drive vehicles on unimproved roads.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member and contributor.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one by the employment start date.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Ability to comply with requirements to obtain a Common Access Card, including completing a NACI/SF85 and passing a federal background check.
• Ability to participate in occasional overnight camping at remote work sites for up to three nights at a time.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment background checks.

Nice To Haves

• AA, BA, or BS in wildlife management, zoology, conservation biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience implementing nuisance animal control using live-capture and lethal traps.
• Experience managing or restoring habitat, including applying herbicides or pesticides to control nonnative invasive plants and invertebrates.
• Experience managing native wildlife, including conducting surveys or monitoring and collecting data.
• Experience researching or managing threatened or endangered wildlife, especially Hawaiian seabirds, Hawaiian Goose (nēnē), and Hawaiian hoary bat.
• Knowledge of small engine and power tool repair.
• Experience constructing and repairing ungulate-proof fences over rough lava terrain.
• Experience in welding and fabrication.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with research techniques, including data management, basic statistical analysis, and report writing.
• State of Hawaii Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification for Category 2 Forest Pest Control.
• Experience working on a military installation.

Responsibilities

• Provide field support to the Wildlife Program, including invasive species management and Hawaiian fauna monitoring.
• Conduct small mammal management using live and lethal traps, game cameras, and tracking tunnels.
• Conduct mechanical and pesticide-based control of invertebrates such as aphids and ants.
• Support feral ungulate control using live traps, game cameras, and ungulate drives.
• Inspect and repair fence lines and gates.
• Monitor for the Hawaiian Goose and deploy and retrieve acoustic recording units for Hawaiian bats, forest birds, and seabirds.
• Apply mechanical and chemical control measures to protect threatened and endangered plant populations in defined management areas.
• Assist with control of non-native vegetation and conduct lethal and non-lethal predator control operations.
• Use electronic devices to monitor wildlife species.
• Collect and report accurate field data and enter data into databases.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED