Utah State University

Avian Ecology Technician

City Logan Campus
Posted Date 1 month ago(8/21/2023 3:45 PM)
Requisition ID
2023-6928
# of Openings
1
Job Locations
US-UT-Logan
Category (Portal Searching)
Research (non-Faculty)
Position Type
Non-benefited (hourly) Part-Time
Job Classification
Non-Benefited
Percent of Time or Hours per Week
up to 30 hours per week
College
Quinney College of Natural Resourcs
Department
Wildland Resources
Advertised Salary
$18.00 per hour
Telework Eligible
No

Overview

The Conover Lab at Utah State University is looking for a full-time Avian Ecology technician to assist a PhD student with point counts of waterfowl and shorebirds as well as other aspects of a waterbird bioenergetics study focused on Great Salt Lake Wetlands. All work will be based out of Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Fieldwork will take place at several Wildlife Management Areas around Ogden, Salt Lake City, and at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge outside of Brigham City, Utah. Transportation is provided to and from fieldwork sites. Periods of full-time work followed by part-time scheduled work.
 
On-Campus ACA Variable
US Work Authorization is REQUIRED

Responsibilities

  • Point counts will be conducted biweekly starting in September.
  • Point count work will require identifying and counting duck species sitting on the water from trucks and on foot using scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars.
  • Between point counts, the technician will assist with the field collection, processing, and identifying of organisms in benthic core and nektonic water samples.
  • Habitat sampling field work will take place in mid-October, and will primarily involve the collection of water and soil core samples to study invertebrate, seed, and submerged aquatic vegetation communities available for waterbirds.
  • Technician must be independent and self-motivated, and will be responsible for following established protocols, detailed record keeping and interacting professionally with the public, hunting community, and volunteers.
  • Fieldwork will be conducted from small mud boats and airboats on large shallow wetlands, and sometimes involve driving 4-wheel drive vehicles and walking short distances to sampling sites on foot or by kayak.
  • Laboratory work will begin in September, and will involve spending considerable time sieving core and water samples to identify seeds, tubers, and macroinvertebrates.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Must be willing to work as part of a small field team in adverse, swampy field conditions (mud, heat, cold, biting insects, etc.)
  • Valid Utah driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • The ideal candidate must be flexible, detail oriented, and self-motivated
  • Bachelors degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or related field

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

  1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV” 
  2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application  

 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$18.00 per hour

ADA

This position requires moderate physical activity. Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time. Employees must adhere to safety precautions and may be required to use protective equipment. 

College/Department Highlights

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with almost $11M in research funding annually, 61 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

  

The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

 

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 7/2023

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

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