Ungulate capture technician and coordinator at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities (State) | https://cbs.umn.edu/directory/meggan-craft
Details
Application Deadline:
12/11/2025
Published:
12/03/2025
Starting Date:
between 1/5/2026 and 1/16/2026
Ending Date:
before 5/31/2026
Hours per Week:
20 - 40
Salary:
$21.61 to $23.15 per hour
Education Required:
Some Undergraduate
Experience Required:
at least 2 years
Location:
University of Minnesota (St Paul, Minnesota)
Tags:
Graduate Opportunities
Grant
Undergraduate Opportunities
Description
Position Summary: The Craft Lab is hiring a full-time (open to part time as well) temporary (ending May 2026) researcher to lead or assist in field work and sample processing for a white-tailed deer movement and pathogen study. This researcher would be part of a larger team working to better understand white-tailed deer movement, habitat use, and disease dynamics at the suburban/agricultural interface (https://www.targetedsurveillance.com/ ). Duties include (but are not limited to) setting and maintaining clover traps and drop nets for the capture of deer in urban and rural environments, prepping and coordinating helicopter captures, assisting in white-tailed deer immobilization and handling, assisting in the processing of biological samples, data entry, and potentially assisting in deployment of trail cameras. The researcher will be required to drive vehicles to and from field sites for research purposes. Applicants should be willing to work odd hours as needed for capture activities (evenings and weekends).
Other duties include: Performs structured research-related work assignments. Maintains clear, consistent, and respectful communication with local collaborating land managers. Identifies problems and relevant issues, assesses potential responses using standard procedures and makes sound decisions accordingly. Receives instruction, guidance and direction from others.
Job Duties:
Field work (50%)
- Setting, monitoring, and maintaining clover traps or drop nets for deer.
- Capturing and sampling deer.
- Processing of biological samples
- Track collared deer using VHF radio telemetry
- Deploy and maintain trail cameras
- Conduct basic field necropsies and collect biological samples after mortality events
- Organize and maintain field equipment
Data entry and office work (40%)
- Data entry for captures and pathogen sampling.
- Ship biological samples.
- Identify and count animals captured on trail cameras.
- Keep dry lab organized.
Assist with Public Outreach (10 %)
- Assist with training and supervision of undergraduate workers and volunteers
Required Qualifications:
- BA/BS in ecology, wildlife conservation or a similar degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.
- Experience trapping and handling mammals.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently in the field navigating over rough terrain in inclement weather.
- Excellent communication and organization skills.
- A valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience trapping and handling ungulates.
- Experience tracking collared wildlife with VHF telemetry equipment.
- Experience collecting biological samples and entering data.
- Familiarity with deploying and maintaining trail camera grids.
- Access to a personal vehicle for driving to Twin Cities Metro field sites during the winter.
- Project management experience.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities on natural resource management or research projects.
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $21.61 to $23.15/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience
How To Apply
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online to the University of Minnesota’s employment website at https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/371305. Or by: 1) visiting https://hr.umn.edu/jobs/Find-Job/Search-UMN-Jobs, 2) choosing the option that corresponds to the applicant’s situation/status, and 3) searching for Job ID 371305. To apply, please provide: (1) a cover letter detailing your experiences for the qualifications above and how they have prepared you for this position, (2) a CV, and (3) names and contact information of three professional references.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.
Applications will be reviewed starting December 11th
Applications will be reviewed starting December 11th
Contact
Meggan Craft
craft@umn.edu (preferred contact method)