Agricultural Research Worker Job at Texas A&M AgriLife
Job Title
Agricultural Research Worker
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
,
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
We are currently hiring 11 crew members to be involved in two long-term monitoring projects that will collectively span approximately 5 to 6 months. The tentative start date will begin January 2023 and tentatively continue through 15th of July 2023.
Small Mammals
The first project spanning 2.5 months will consist of trapping small mammals for a capture-recapture project. Previous trapping experience is preferred, however hands on training will be provided prior to trapping. Technicians must be comfortable manually removing live animals from traps and marking them accordingly. During this time period, technicians will be required to work mornings and evenings, 5 days a week, with most weekends off.
Birds
The second project will span 3 months and will consist of bird point counts, territory monitoring, and basic vegetation sampling. The East Foundation ranches have a unique bird community, consisting of desert, scrubland, tropical, costal and migrant birds. Previous point count experience is highly preferred, though specific southern Texas bird experience is not required. This part of the project will require early morning (4-5am) days typically ending at 12-1pm. Technicians will work 5 days a week with weekends off.
Location
All field work will be conducted on East Foundation ranches: San Antonio Viejo and El Sauz. Further information about the East Foundation can be found at
http://www.eastfoundation.net/
. Applicants are encouraged to explore the East Foundation website, as it will be discussed during the interview.
Work location will be South Texas near Hebbronville & Port Mansfield.
The field station is located on a large, isolated cattle ranch, primarily managed for wildlife conservation and research that is not accessible to the general public. Approximately 1/2 of the time will be spent on a second ranch, El Sauz, located on the Gulf Coast. Provided housing consists of newly remodeled bunk houses with a large kitchen and shared bathrooms on the main ranch, San Antonio Viejo. Opposite genders will be kept in separate bunk houses. Modern camping trailers (also separated by gender) in an RV park will be provided while on the 2nd ranch, El Sauz. While living and working on the ranch you will be expected to keep common areas clean and work together as a team to be community oriented. Regular opportunities will also be provided to interact with cattle ranching personnel such that technicians will gain a better understanding of ranch management. While living on the ranch, technicians are encouraged to explore and take advantage of being given access to this unique ecosystem.
Duties
Small Mammal
Duties include, but are not limited to: (1) establishing small mammal trapping grids, using GPS, compass, and measuring tape (2) baiting traps (3) handling and marking small mammals with PIT tags (4) taking field notes (5) entering data into a database (6) and cleaning traps.
Birds
Duties include: (1) establishing point-count sampling locations with GPS (2) hiking up to 7 km daily through vegetation between sampling points (3) identifying avian species by sight and sound (4) taking field notes, (5) and entering data into a database.
Technicians will also be expected to clean and maintain equipment, vehicles, and living quarters, enter and proof data for quality, occasionally prepare reports summarizing field efforts, assist graduate students with additional data collection, and other duties as assigned.
Employees are expected to provide own binoculars and field clothes, including durable boots for work outdoors. Employees will be responsible for their own transport between the ranches (2 hours one way). Employees expected to change ranches once a month.
Required Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One year of related experience in general farm, ranch, or field laboratory work.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to navigate using compass and GPS.
Ability to collect and record accurate field data.
Basic knowledge of spreadsheet and database software.
Ability to work long, irregular hours, usually starting before sunrise.
Ability to walk long distances carrying heavy loads.
Ability and willingness to operate 4WD trucks and XUVs on and off ranch roads.
Ability to work outside in both cold and wet, and hot and humid conditions, and work in extremely thorny vegetation among venomous snakes (snake guards provided).
Ability to work and live closely with other research workers in remote locations.
Ability to lift moderately heavy objects.
Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with other.
Knowledge of agricultural field research/lab work.
Preferred Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of bird identification skills.
THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.
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