The research is investigating grassland bird and plant community responses to cattle grazing in CRP grasslands in southeastern Colorado.  The successful applicant will do 500-m transect surveys of adult birds by sight and sound, and after morning bird surveys will assist another sampling crew assessing vegetative habitat structure.  Orientation begins the week of 18 May 2026; work ends ~31 July 2026.  Bird surveys will require the first 2-3 hours of each morning through early July, with fulltime vegetation sampling thereafter.  Multiple sites will be sampled per day requiring independent travel by the technician in a rental vehicle funded by the project.                      

Qualifications:  Academic training in biology / ecology / natural resources.  Must have previous experience with bird identification by sight and sound, will ideally have experience with line transect or point-count surveys, and must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license for driving a rental vehicle.  Experience with vegetation surveys and plant identification is a plus.  Other demonstrated field skills will be considered.  Must be able to work independently, including in fields and driving alone on remote roads of various conditions with low cell reception, work well with a team, be cordial to landowners, and tolerant of hot weather, hiking, early starts, long hours, living in close quarters with other technicians in rural areas, and be able to transport themselves to/from the field station residence in southeastern Colorado for start/end of season.