Research Technician I (Gambel's Quail Field Technician)(Temporary)(Multiple Positions)

Note: The department has added a second position to this recruitment.

The School of Natural Resources & the Environment at the University of Arizona is looking for a field technician to assist a graduate student with capturing, banding, and deploying VHF and GPS transmitters on Gambel's quail in southeastern Arizona.

The technician will track movement of quail across the field site via radio telemetry. Duties may also include nest site searching, vegetation surveys, and data entry. Technician will work with the graduate student and interact with volunteers on a regular basis. Technician will be working outdoors in hot conditions and using a designated work vehicle.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance and disability programs; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with capturing, handling, and taking morphological measurements on Gambel's quail. Technician will also be deploying VHF and GPS transmitters prior to the release of the birds.
• Technician will use a hand held radio telemetry system to locate quail throughout the season to assess movement and reproductive status. Technician will document the status of the bird in a handheld notebook and vacate the area. This may involve hiking several miles a day over hilly, desert terrain and driving 4wd vehicles on dirt and gravel roads.
• Technician will conduct nest checks (no more than 10/day) once the quail have been determined to be on nest. When the quail moves from the nest, the technician will conduct nest searches to determine the fate of the nest. Technician will be trained by the graduate student to conduct these nest checks but furthermore will conduct these nest checks independently and report findings in a handheld notebook as well as to the graduate student.
• Technician will perform vegetation surveys at the nest sites post-hatch. This will involve taking vegetation measurements and recording qualities of vegetation structure. Technician will work closely with the graduate student while conducting these surveys. Surveys will not be graded.

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Must have experience handling wildlife.
• Ability to navigate terrain using a GPS.
• Must have or be able to obtain a US driver's license. Experience driving 4WD vehicles on poorly maintained dirt roads; and the ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.