Professional Aide

Michigan State University; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 24,797,000 - 31,685,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking Research Technicians for a temporary/on-call role to support turkey ecology field work across southern Michigan. Responsibilities include field data collection, trapping, GPS transmitter deployment, and close collaboration with MSU and the Michigan DNR.

Work involves driving field vehicles, traveling to multiple sites, and contributing to nest monitoring, camera deployments, and poult surveys across seasons.

Qualifications

• Experience with radio telemetry.
• Experience collecting field data for wildlife.
• Experience with database management and data entry.

Responsibilities

• Trap wild turkeys for GPS transmitter deployment.
• Monitor sites for turkey use and activity.
• Set up drop and cannon nets and bait capture sites.
• Deploy GPS transmitters on captured individuals.
• Manually track tagged animals across seasons.
• Locate and monitor turkey nests and eggs.
• Build and deploy camera systems to monitor nests.
• Conduct poult surveys to monitor survival and recruitment.

Skills

Experience with radio telemetry

Field data collection

Database management

Job description

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Unit Position Summary

The Research Technicians will coordinate closely with supervisors at Michigan State and collaborators at Michigan DNR to trap wild turkeys for GPS transmitter deployment. Duties will shift across the year depending on phases of project. Duties will consist of monitoring sites for turkey use, maintaining and setting up drop and cannon nets, and baiting capture sites (Nov – Feb). Work will necessitate constant and clear communication with local land managers. Technicians will assist in deploying GPS transmitters on captured individuals (winter), manually tracking tagged animals (winter – late summer), locating and monitoring turkey nests (spring and summer), building camera systems to film nests (spring and summer), and conducting poult surveys to monitor survival and recruitment (late summer).

Technicians must have experience with ecological field work including radio telemetry, animal capture and handling, vegetation measurements, and field data collection. Must be comfortable safely driving field vehicles including pickup trucks. Field vehicle will be provided and field sites will require daily travel across the southern portion of Michigan.

Coordination, communication, and organization are essential to the success of this project due to the large number of study sites spread across southern Michigan and the collaborative nature of the project. Technicians will have opportunities to assist with other wildlife projects as time allows.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with radio telemetry.
• Experience collecting field data for wildlife.
• Experience with database management and data entry.

Desired Qualifications

• Commitment to natural resource conservation, and respect for property ownership, scientific credibility, and reliable data.
• Experience interacting and working collaboratively with natural resource agencies. Ability to reliably coordinate and communicate with project partners and land managers.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Letter of interest (2 page max) and CV (that contains contact information for 3 references).

Work Hours

most days will be 8-4 but I can see starting as early as 600 AM and occasionally working as late as 7 PM depending on trapping schedules

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/

Summary of Physical Demands

Wildlife handling, working in rugged environments.