We are seeking a total of eight dependable, detail-oriented seasonal field technicians to support noninvasive black bear research projects in southwest Mississippi and eastern Louisiana from May 15 through August 15. This project involves no capture or handling of bears. 

Technicians will assist with the construction, monitoring, and removal of barbed-wire hair corrals used to collect black bear hair samples. Hair corrals will be built as a team, then checked once per week for six weeks by technicians. Responsibilities include collecting and properly managing hair samples, recording accurate field data on paper datasheets, and entering data into a cloud-based database. All hair corrals  will be removed at the end of the sampling period. 

Applicants must be self-sufficient, dependable, and able to work with minimal supervision in outdoor field conditions. Attention to detail is essential for maintaining data quality and sample integrity. Fieldwork will involve hiking and working in forested terrain during extremely hot and humid summer weather. Mosquitos, red buds, and ticks are common and field work is carried out whether the weather conditions are good or bad.

Qualifications: 

• Have a valid U.S. driver’s license, clean driving record, and authorization to work in the U.S. are required. 
• Have obtained or be working towards a B.S. degree in wildlife ecology/management, zoology, ecology, natural resources, or related field. 
• Be motivated and self-sufficient to work unsupervised and with attention to detail. 
• Be comfortable lifting 40 pounds, hiking alone through dense vegetation, and working in areas with alligators, venomous snakes, biting insects (such as ticks), and poisonous plants in harsh weather conditions (hot temperatures, high humidity, heavy rain and lightning).

Preferred qualifications: 

• Demonstrated experience constructing and maintaining barbed-wire hair corrals 
• Experience operating a 4WD vehicle on unmaintained roads and navigating to field sites using handheld GPS units or OnX Hunt 
• Experience entering, reviewing, and correcting data in Excel or other databases, and properly labeling, handling, and storing bear hair samples 
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with supervisors, private landowners, and state or federal agency personnel 
• Ability to understand and comply with all agency protocols and landowner rules and regulations 

Miscellaneous: 

Shared housing is provided; however, meals and other personal living expenses are the responsibility of the applicant. Candidates must be comfortable living and working in close quarters with individuals of all genders and demonstrate respect for others. A work vehicle will be provided for work-related travel, but personal transportation is required for non-work hours. The position can involve long workdays (10+ hours) and may include weekends or holidays.