Natural Resources Job Board

The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is seeking one to two part-time technicians to support a behavioral research project focused on captive red wolves. This project is a collaboration between the WCC, Utah State University, and other Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program facilities.

Technicians will assist a graduate student researcher by coding video footage of red wolf breeding pairs using BORIS behavioral analysis software. Footage was recorded during the 2025 breeding season (January–March). Each assigned wolf pair requires 20 minutes of coded footage for every day of recording. Technicians are expected to process approximately 8 days' worth of footage per workday to stay on schedule.  The goal is to assess how pair bond strength and individual behaviors relate to reproductive success in captivity.

This is a remote position. Technicians will use BORIS and R Studio to randomly select and code footage. The expected workload is 20 hours per week, with complete flexibility to set your own schedule as long as project milestones are met.  The duration of the position will depend on how quickly the footage is coded; hiring multiple technicians may significantly shorten the overall timeline.  Applicants must be comfortable working independently and spending long hours reviewing video footage.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Have or be working towards a degree in wildlife ecology/management, zoology, biology, natural resources, or a similar field

• Demonstrated attention to detail, precision, and consistency in observational tasks. Technicians will be responsible for thoroughly understanding and correctly applying an ethogram supplied by the graduate student researcher

• Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to structure a remote work schedule that aligns with project requirements

• Strong organizational and data management skills, with the ability to maintain a consistent file structure and follow detailed protocols. Technicians must manage large volumes of footage, including unused files that may be incorporated later

• Must have a computer or laptop capable of running R studio and BORIS behavioral analysis software

• Background in ethology, behavioral ecology, or related biological sciences

• Familiarity with BORIS behavioral software

• Experience distinguishing between conspecific individuals with minimal sexual dimorphism

• Comfort working independently in a remote location

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to S. Lovin at s.lovin@usu.edu with “LastName – Breeding Behavior Technician 2025” in the subject line.  Label your file as“LastName_FirstName_BreedingBehaviorTechnician2025.pdf”. Applications will be reviewed starting 22 July 2025.

Start date is flexible, but priority will be given to applicants who can start by 4 August 2025.  Technicians are expected to commit to 20 hours of work per week.  This is a remote position, allowing a flexible schedule.  After training is completed during the first two weeks, technicians will be responsible for managing their time appropriately to ensure the project’s needs are met.
Estimated end date may vary depending on the number of technicians hired—additional personnel could accelerate completion.