Natural Resources Job Board

Agency: USDA National Wildlife Research Center

Location: Fort Collins, CO

Job Category: Full time position

Salary: $68,138 to $88,577 / per year plus benefits

Start Date: Sept 1, 2024 (negotiable)

Last Date to Apply: 07/07/2025

 

Description: The USDA/APHIS/WS/NWRC/ feral swine research project is seeking an experienced wildlife field researcher to lead studies assessing fence designs to be employed if a foreign animal disease (i.e., African Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth Disease, Classical Swine Fever) were to get introduced into feral swine. The position will be in Fort Collins, CO with frequent travel to a field site near Kingsville, TX. Field travel will likely be 5–10 days at a time. When in Fort Collins, the incumbent will work from an office at the USDA National Wildlife Research Center.

 

Field duties will consume 50% of the incumbent’s time and include:  

• Coordinating daily tasks of field staff.

• Assisting lead researchers with experimental design/analysis.

• Trapping and transporting feral swine.

• Caring for captive feral swine.

• Conducting evaluations of novel fence designs for preventing passage of motivated feral swine.

• Maintaining camera systems.

• Gathering, compiling, cleaning, and evaluating data.

• Use of firearms for humane euthanasia of animals.

• Mechanical and trouble-shooting responsibilities.

• Operating ATVs and UTVs in challenging landscape and climatic conditions.

• Safe, competent loading and towing of trailers and use of trucks.

 

Office duties will consume 50% of the incumbent’s time and include:

• Assisting with organizing and analyzing data for reporting, oral presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. 

• Assimilating data from surveillance camera systems.  

• Maintaining accurate database records by organizing data and compiling in presentable format for research biologists.

• Preparing routine reports regarding relevant data collected.

• Performs literature searches, logistical errands, and organizing equipment and databases.

 

Performs other duties, as assigned by lead researchers.

 

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrate experience with:

 

·   Study design for wildlife and/or wildlife management field studies.

·   Data collection, organization, cleaning, analysis, interpretation, and reporting using appropriate software (e.g., R or similar is preferred).

·   Conducting field research duties such as building fences, maintaining cameras, baiting and trapping wildlife, handling wildlife, and safe handling of firearms, under minimal supervision.

·   Overseeing, coordinating, or providing guidance to other field technicians on the team.

·   Conducting resource management duties including inventory, organization, and maintenance of project equipment.

 

Search USAjobs for announcement DE-12754380-25-WS (https://www.usajobs.gov/job/839468500). Open 06/30/2025 to 07/07/2025. The job announcement will be generic as it is being used to advertise multiple positions, so may not obviously reflect the above duties. 

Please contact Kurt VerCauteren if you have questions or cannot find the posting: Kurt.c.vercauteren@usda.gov