Natural Resources Job Board

 Seasonal Technicians- Greater Prairie-Chicken and Pronghorn Habitat 

Location: Strong City, Kansas 

Job Category: Seasonal 3-month long 

Salary: $2,240/month, housing provided 

Start Date: April 27 – May 18, 2025 

Last Date to Apply: May 18th, 2025 

The Greater Prairie-Chicken and Pronghorn Habitat project will focus on evaluating priority areas for greater prairie-chicken and pronghorn conservation in Kansas and will evaluate how these priority areas overlap with current grassland conservation efforts. We need assistance with a field component of the research that seeks to evaluate greater prairie-chicken and pronghorn habitat in the Flint Hills ecoregion of Kansas. The Flints Hills Ecoregion is the largest remaining tract of intact native tallgrass prairie. 

This position will involve field data collection with a team of technicians, assisting with a UAV ultra-high resolution LiDAR data collection effort, and helping with a concurrent research effort monitoring GPS marked greater prairie-chickens. We are looking for individuals that are interested in field vegetation monitoring using a variety of monitoring methods (e.g., plant identification, Robel pole method, Daubenmire frame approach). We will also be evaluating fence characteristics for pronghorn suitability. Technicians will gain experience in grassland ecological monitoring, prairie grouse and pronghorn habitat evaluation, UAV tools, nest monitoring, brood monitoring, offroad vehicle use, and working with multiple stakeholders (e.g., private landowners, NGOs, state and federal agency personnel). 

Duties and responsibilities: 

·         Conduct vegetation surveys 

·         Evaluate fence characteristics in the study area 

·         Enter data and perform basic quality assurance/quality control 

·         Communicate with private landowners, NGOs, and state and federal agency staff 

·         Maintain and organize equipment 

·         Monitor GPS marked prairie-chickens 

Required Qualifications 

·         Strong work ethic and willingness to learn 

·         Ability to follow established project protocols 

·         Ability to communicate effectively with project staff, collaborators, and diverse stakeholders 

·         Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 

·         Ability to work outside for several hours in the summer 

·         Interest in applied wildlife conservation and growing as a wildlife professional 

·         Willingness to work early mornings (pre-dawn) 

·         Willingness to live and work in a remote location with limited services 

·         Must possess a valid US driver’s license without restrictions 

Preferred Qualifications 

·         Experience in wildlife habitat evaluation 

·         Some plant ID experience 

·         Experience driving 4WD vehicles, UTVs, and/or ATVs 

·         The completion or pursuit of a bachelor's degree in wildlife management, biology, or closely related discipline 

·         Interest in wildlife habitat relationships 

To apply: 

-          Applicants should send a cover letter, resume/CV, copies of transcripts (unofficial), and the names and contact information (phone and email addresses) of 3 references to Katherine Travis (katravis@ksu.edu) and Dan Sullins (sullins@ksu.edu). 

o   Please submit application materials to both email addresses above in a single email with the subject line "KSU Seasonal Pronghorn and Prairie Chicken Technician" 

o   Documents should be combined into one PDF 

o   Please name the file "LastName_FirstInitial_SeasonalPronghornPrairieChickenTech.pdf” 

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities, protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Background check is required.