Natural Resources Job Board

The Wyoming Migration Initiative is seeking a field technician to lead Fall Fawn Recruitment Surveys and join Autumn captures (i.e., animal handling, sample collection) during Autumn 2025 on a large study of migratory mule deer wintering in Wyoming’s Red Desert.

Job Duties: Specific tasks include: (1) navigating remote 4x4 roads – but mostly using good judgement, (2) triangulating collared animals with ground telemetry, (3a) recording group composition and (3b) the number of fawns of collared adult females, and (4) performing cause-specific mortality investigations and post-mortem collections. Other tasks include: (1) nightly data entry, (2) vehicle problems reporting, (3) maintaining clean living and working environment, (4) maintaining professional relationships with state and federal collaborators, and (5) a nightly check-in with project lead (Luke Wilde, PhD student). Additionally, the technician will assist in mule deer captures (note: no past capture experience required), collar/capture kit preparation, and sample breakdown. 

Qualifications: Successful applicants should have experience with at least some of the following: (1) ground telemetry, (2) operating ½-ton trucks in rugged conditions and/or off-road, (3) basic vehicle maintenance (i.e., change tire, fitting chains), and (4) backcountry navigation with gps/smartphone app. Applicants with an ability to identify deer age- and sex-classes or those with hunting experience are encouraged to apply.

Salary and Details: $13-17/hr (DOE) for 40 hr/wk, no overtime pay. Technicians will have ample opportunities to network with researchers and wildlife managers from around Wyoming during and after the position’s term. Housing and field vehicles will be provided for the duration of the work at no cost. 

How to apply: Please send an email with the subject “Red Desert FFR 2025” containing: (1) a single page cover letter describing your experiences and interest in the position, (2) a professional CV and (3) two references with contact information to lwilde2@uwyo.edu

(see these resources for your CV: https://www.esa.org/programs/student-programs/resume-resources/).

Study Description: The Sublette mule deer herd contains the longest terrestrial migration in the lower-48. While some deer migrate the astounding 150 miles (long-distance) to have their fawns in the montane forests, others in the herd migrate <70 miles (medium-distance), <30 miles (short-distance), or not at all (year-round residents). Since 2014, we have been studying the migrations of this population to understand the processes that sustain mule deer herds in the long-term and inform management of landscapes to promote seasonal migrations. The Red Desert is one of the most intact, non-wilderness areas in the US and is world-known for its alien landscapes, unique geology, and desert flora/fauna.