Sharp-tailed Grouse Project Technician

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on January 5, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

The successful applicant (s) will be based out of either FWP Region 2 (Missoula) or FWP Region 3 (Helena).

This position is funded through a grant. In the event that the funding ends or is not sufficient to continue your employment, your employment may be terminated without cause.

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary.  Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association). 

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. 

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

The Sharp-tailed Grouse Project Technician will work under the direction of the Mitigation Program's Wildlife Biologist. This work will include conducting sharp-tailed grouse lek surveys, capture efforts, and the safe handling, relocation, and monitoring of translocated grouse. The technician will assist coordinators and biologists in the safe capture, sampling, handling, tagging, transport, release, and monitoring of grouse. GPS, VHF, and other transmitter types will be attached to translocated sharp-tailed grouse for monitoring survival/mortality, movements, behavior, habitat use, and reproductive performance using GPS location data and VHF handheld receiver/antenna tracking. Other field related tasks may include obtaining access, locating and monitoring nests and broods, investigating mortality sites to determine cause of death, collection of biological samples and habitat variables, assisting with drone operations and other duties as needed. Technicians will be responsible for safely using and maintaining field vehicles and equipment, collecting and managing data, communicating with landowners and cooperators, and troubleshooting and solving problems encountered in the field with little to no input from their supervisor.

Job Duties:

The Sharp-tailed Grouse Project Technician will conduct field activities for the Sharp-tailed Reintroduction Project that occasionally require a change and re-organization of work schedules, travel, equipment, and staff responsibilities. Specifically, they may need to decide when, where and what modifications or adaptations would be necessary and appropriate to complete a specific task. Adaptations to procedures and modifications of field operations become necessary because of human safety issues, animal welfare considerations, landownership issues, or environmental conditions. Integrating these factors into daily field operation decisions yet accomplishing study objectives will demand creativity within the bounds of the data collection standards and cooperation among field staff. Occasional exposure to outdoor hazards such as severe weather and extreme terrain is expected.

The position requires people skills (interpersonal relationships, communications, networking, teambuilding, facilitation), an ability to maintain good working relationships with the breadth of stakeholders in wildlife issues (agricultural interests, conservation community, industry, state and federal agencies, and Tribes}, and an ability to learn conflict management and collaborative problem-solving skills. Leadership, collaborative skills, and ability to use data management systems are just as important to this position as an aptitude and ability to conduct fieldwork. This technician will assist with the coordinating of logistics for the capture, handling, release, and monitoring. They are responsible for ensuring appropriate data collection and management protocols are adhered to. The Sharp-tailed Grouse Technician, with assistance as needed, will analyze data collected from multiple sources to interpret information that will assist the supervisor and collaborators to make informed decisions.