The Young lab at Utah State University is seeking 2 short-term hair snare field technicians to assist with the Baldwin Bear Project. The Baldwin Bear Project is a collaborative research project with the Michigan DNR, looking at the socioecological systems of black bears. The technicians will assist a master’s student in a study determining the density of black bears and analyzing their movements in the Baldwin Bear Management Unit of the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. This study area includes most of the landscape between Grand Rapids and Traverse City. The technicians are expected to start on 10 December and work until 22 December 2025.

Technicians will assist with checking, flagging, and repairing ~ 65 barbed-wire hair snares. The technicians must follow specific protocols when repairing the hair snares. Technicians will also help locate and confirm bear dens based on GPS locations of collared bears. Applicants should expect some long days while repairing hair snares and looking for dens and be able to carry ~40 pounds of barbed wire and other gear into relatively thick brush and swampy bottomlands. Days can be long, and weather will be variable.

Field housing will be provided in the form of a shared bunkhouse. Applicants are encouraged to bring, field clothes, boots, and other gear needed to work in the winter cold. Work vehicle(s) will be provided for fieldwork and essential travel and will be shared between technicians. Crew members will be expected to use a personal vehicle for recreation and personal errands/travel during their time off.

Minimum Qualifications

• Have or working  a degree in wildlife ecology/management, biology, natural resources, or a similar field OR be able to demonstrate equivalent experience.
• Must be willing to work alone in inclement weather without cell service, communicating via radios and satellite communication devices.
• Must be able to navigate on and off-trail using topographic maps and a hand-held GPS or OnX.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and have data management skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to follow directions including strict field protocols.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a clean driving record to perform essential job responsibilities and drive university vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working and/or living with people or groups from differing backgrounds.
• Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on snow, sand, and gravel roads and hiking on and off-trail through rugged terrain in remote locations.
• Prior experience using/setting up/repairing hair snares.
• Experience working alone in remote locations.
• Certifications in wilderness medical care (Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have good communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with hunters, MI DNR biologists and staff, landowners, recreators, other technicians and volunteers, and the supervising graduate student.
• Patience, adaptability, stamina (mental and physical), respect for others, professional behavior, and a positive team-player attitude are important.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV 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.**

This area of Michigan has mild topography, and applicants should be able to traverse through it while carrying a heavy pack through the snow, potentially with snowshoes. Technicians MUST be comfortable performing solo fieldwork in adverse conditions (such as cold, challenging terrain, and remote locations with little or no cell service), driving 4x4 trucks, and problem-solving independently to ensure that fieldwork is completed safely and efficiently. Technicians must be aware of their surroundings and be confident hiking alone where carnivores and other wildlife species are present. Must be independent, hardworking, and in good physical condition (able to hike several miles per day off-trail with a weighted pack).

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to enhancing lives and landscapes through education, research, and outreach. We work across biological, physical, and socioeconomic boundaries to better understand natural and managed ecosystems and to promote the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and engage in collaborations that advance discovery and innovation across disciplines. Many hold Extension appointments that connect their research directly to communities throughout Utah. 

With a statewide network of campuses and learning centers, the college serves people in both urban and rural communities as part of the university’s land-grant mission. We foster professional collaboration within and beyond the university, and experiential learning for students at all phases of their academic path. Faculty and students benefit from Utah’s remarkable and varied landscapes, which provide unparalleled opportunities for field-based research, education, and outreach. 

The Department of Wildland Resources in the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 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. 

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. 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. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. 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 a reasonable accommodation 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. 

*updated 09/2025

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, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

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:

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

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025