The Mammal Spatial Ecology and Conservation (MSEC) Lab at Washington State University and the Washington Department of Natural Resources is hiring a field technician position to assist a graduate student in studying snowshoe hare ecology in the Loomis State Forest, located in the eastern Cascades foothills of north-central Washington. The project focuses on how hare density, movement, habitat selection, and survival are influenced by pre-commercial thinning treatments. Pay is $19.86/hour, 40 hours per week. Successful applicants will start on 01 Jan 2024 and work to (approximately) 01 May 2024, depending upon need. Depending upon availability, the technician may be able to start early December 2023.

The technicians will work both independently and as a crew member with other WSU and WDNR personnel and field work for the winter season is focused on (1) VHF radio telemetry and mortality investigations on collared hares, and (2) live trapping to recapture hares and deploy telemetry collars. 

The project field sites are located in dense montane forest (>4500 ft) where the weather is highly unpredictable. Winter conditions in the state forest are harsh, and competitive applicants should be comfortable and experienced working in deep snow and cold weather. We expect that applicants will also have considerable experience driving on snowy and icy roads – experience operating snowmobiles is a plus! Terrain is often rugged, and sites are located away from electricity, running water, and cell service.

Technicians must be able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive outlook and working effectively with a cohesive team, including a PhD student and other seasonal technicians. Housing is provided at an apartment in nearby Tonasket, WA (~20-minute drive from the state forest). The technician can expect to work 8-hour days, with some longer hours possibly required occasionally throughout the winter season, with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Eagerness to work outdoors in often harsh winter weather conditions (e.g., extreme cold, deep snow)
• Flexibility to work varying day lengths and adjust to changing schedules and weather
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs over rough terrain and hike up to 10 miles per day
• Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude towards difficult field work
• Skilled using basic hand tools
• Valid driver's license
• An undergraduate degree in wildlife ecology, natural resources, biology, environmental science, or a related field
• Navigation skills (Avenza, handheld GPS, compass)
• Comfortable driving four-wheel drive trucks safely on unmaintained forest roads

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience driving snowmobiles and working in cold, deep-snow conditions
• Experience trapping and handling wild animals (especially small mammals)
• Substantial experience with VHF telemetry and field mortality investigations

Pay and Benefits:

$19.86 per hour with pay periods twice monthly.