Job Description

Position Summary:

This position will run the field program studying the transmission dynamics of various diseases in both mule deer and whitetail deer in Northern Colorado. The individual will assist in capturing deer via clover traps, drop nets, and darting. The individual will be responsible for the collection and processing of biological samples, ear tags, collar placement, and other aspects of capture workups. In addition, the individual will be trained to manage laboratory samples, support laboratory analyses, and perform necropsies on dead animals. This study has a large recapture component; thus, the individual must have extensive experience locating and darting collared deer.

The individual will also be responsible for other tasks, including landowner relations, trap and equipment maintenance, supplies management, volunteer coordination and supervision, mortality investigation/collar retrieval. The individual will be organized, meticulous, and confident working alone and in groups. 

Work hours can be irregular and vary by season. During winter and early spring, the individual will be responsible for checking traps for deer in the morning daily. The individual will also dart and drop net deer depending on trap success and deer movement. In late spring and summer, trapping will discontinue due to heat exhaustion for deer and does will not be captured due to fawning. Thus, the individual will focus on capturing and recapturing bucks in early mornings and cool evenings.

Summer will be slowest and capture efforts will be lowest and mortalities likely highest. During this period, the individual will spend more time on lab support and lab work. The individual will not work more than an average of 40 hours/week, although workloads will be higher in winter and lower in the summer.

Essential Job Duties:

• Appropriate drug dosages for deer.
• Adjust proper size for collars placed on deer.
• Determining cause of mortality for deer and assist with necropsy.
• Sample preparation and lab workup of samples.

Decision Making:

• Deciding which deer to dart and sample.
• Decide which samples to collect and when to reverse deer.

Supervision:

• Decide which volunteers are capable of supporting field work.
• Managing duties are suitable for volunteers.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).
• ​Knowledge of northern Colorado wild deer ranges and tendencies.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA in Natural Resources or a related field.
• 1+ years of wildlife experience; including with ground darting deer.
• Extensive animal capture experience using dart guns.
• Locating animals via vhf telemetry receiver and antenna.

Salary Range

48000 - 52000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.