Position: Natural Resources Technician - Temporary Agency: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife
Work Location: Grand Rapids/Aitkin, Minnesota Start Date & Duration: Mid-Late March 2015 - August 2015 Salary: $15.81 per hour Job Description: Support nesting and brood-rearing habitat research for sharp-tailed grouse in Minnesota by working as a full-time, temporary field technician. Work will involve trapping and radio-collaring grouse, locating grouse via radio telemetry by vehicle and foot, nest monitoring, brood counts, sampling habitat composition and structure, entry of data, maintenance of data collection equipment, and writing summaries of activities. The majority of work will be performed independently. This position is temporary and anticipated to last through August 2015. The position is limited to 40 hours per week but due to the nature of the field work, the technician will be expected to work outside of normal hours. Technician must be able to start work in mid-late March, and will be expected to work early mornings and weekends during trapping (March-May). A field vehicle will be provided for research use. Required Qualifications: Education or experience in field methods for wildlife research. Applicants with a BS in wildlife biology or a related field are preferred. A working knowledge of Geographic Position Systems (GPS), basic computer programs (i.e., Microsoft Office), navigation, geographic information systems (i.e., ArcGIS), radio telemetry, and vegetation identification. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, follow established protocols, communicate findings orally, keep detailed and accurate records, write reports, lead volunteers, and communicate effectively with wildlife managers and private landowners. Technician must be physically fit, able to walk over difficult terrain, work under adverse weather conditions, sit still for long periods of time, hear and see well, and operate a motor vehicle on minimally maintained roads. Trapping will require sitting still in cold, sometimes cramped conditions during early morning hours. Must possess a valid driver's license. Field experience with capture and handling of birds (especially grouse), radio-collaring birds, radio telemetry for wildlife tracking, and Minnesota vegetation identification are highly desirable, especially when performed full time and independently. To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references (name telephone, and e-mail) as a single attachment in an e-mail to Lindsey Shartell, Forest Habitat Biologist ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin in January and continue until filled, however applications will not be accepted after February 6, 2015. For questions contact Lindsey by e-mail or telephone (218-999-7932). -- Lindsey M. Shartell, Ph.D. Forest Habitat Biologist Wildlife Habitat Program MN DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife 1201 East Highway 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 Phone: (218) 999-7932 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
