Grand Teton National Park, WY

Position Title: Greater Yellowstone Amphibian and Beaver Field Technician Position

Organization: University of Wyoming

Location: This position is based out of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Housing will be provided for the field technician at the UW-NPS Research Station. The technician can expect regular days off to explore the parks and surrounding areas. Occasional camping may be required.

Position Overview:  Beavers are ecosystem engineers capable of creating habitat for many other organisms, including amphibians. After being extensively hunted and trapped in the 1800s, beaver populations are increasing, and land managers are interested in the role of beaver reintroduction as a tool for stream and wetland restoration. Long-term amphibian monitoring programs in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have identified positive relationships between beaver activity and amphibian occupancy and colonization rates. This technician will work with a University of Wyoming graduate student to survey beaver and non-beaver wetlands in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park for amphibians, collect environmental DNA samples, and collect tissue samples for DNA extraction.

Duties: 

• Conducting visual encounter surveys with dipnets for amphibians (training will be provided)
• Collecting environmental DNA samples from wetlands
• Collecting tissue samples from frogs and tadpoles
• Setting hair snares and collecting hair samples
• Carrying half of all necessary field equipment (inc. waders, dipnets, safety devices, eDNA sampling materials, tissue sampling materials, and more)
• Data entry and sample labeling
• Sterilization of equipment at the end of the work day
• Other activities, as needed

Qualifications:  Qualified applicants will have the willingness and ability to work long hours (including weekends and holidays) and be flexible with their schedule, as work hours will be determined by weather and collaborators’ schedules. Applicants must also be able to tolerate harsh field conditions (heat/cold, wind, rain, biting insects, mud, etc.), pay extreme attention to detail, and meet high standards of animal care. Interest in the research, a strong work ethic, and the ability to conduct meticulous data collection are most important. Priority will be given to individuals currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an ecology, wildlife biology, or related program with past field experience. Qualified applicants need a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

The ideal candidate will have experience working long days outdoors and possess Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certification. Experience working in bear country is also beneficial.

Start/End Dates: June 1 – August 15, flexible.

The technician will ideally attend the Amphibian Inventory and Monitoring program training in early June (exact dates TBD).

Salary/Pay: In addition to housing, the field technician will receive a monthly stipend of $1400-1600 and have access to a shared field vehicle.

Application Deadline: Before April 1 for priority consideration

How to Apply: Please view the PDF to view the full job description. To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for 3 references in a single PDF to Katie Davis (PhD student on project: kdavis79@uwyo.edu). Put “2023 GYE Tech Application” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Questions can be submitted to Katie (kdavis79@uwyo.edu).