Technician - Wintering Grassland Bird and Habitat Surveys
Sul Ross State University

Instructions to applicants:

There are 2 positions open for this posting.

Job Title:

Technician - Wintering Grassland Bird and Habitat Surveys

Location:

Alpine

Department:

Borderlands Research Institute

Job No.:

Position: TH9597

Posting Date:

10/17/2024

End Date:

02/14/2025

Until Filled:

Yes

Appointment Date:

12/09/2024

Salary:

$18/hour; 20 to 40 hours per week

Required:

• Experience identifying birds.
• Experience identifying vegetation.
• Ability to work both with a team and on your own.
• Ability to work in remote locations and in cold/windy conditions.

Preferred:

• B.S. in Natural Resources Management or related field.
• Experience driving 4-wheel-drive trucks.
• Experience identifying birds in the Trans-Pecos/Chihuahuan Desert or desert southwest.
• Experience identifying plants in the Trans-Pecos/Chihauhuan Desert or desert southwest.
• Experience working with private landowners and on private property.

Staffing Reason:

Temporary

Primary Responsibilities:

Grasslands are one of the larges biomes within the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, and are valuable for food and energy production, recreation, tourism, and culture. Additionally, these desert ecosystems also provide critical ecosystem services such as climate regulation, carbon sequestration, erosion and pest control, water regulation, and pollination services, and are rich in biodiversity. However, despite their significance, desert ecosystems are one of the world's most imperiled ecosystems. Populations of grassland birds have declined consistently and at higher rates than any other group of birds in North America. Long-term avian populations have decreased in the past 60 years. This decline is primarily attributed to the loss of suitable habitat, but wintering habitat requirements are not well-studied for most species.

This position will support an ongoing study of birds that winter in the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands and how bird communities respond to woody plant treatments. Tasks will include:

• Following established protocol to identify and count grassland birds.
• Following established protocol to measure vegetation at various scales.
• Data entry.
• Other tasks, as needed.

A typical survey will involve meeting with other surveyors (graduate student and technicians) before sunrise to start conducting bird surveys shortly after sunrise. One bird survey takes 2-3 hours and the vegetation survey for that plot is conducted immediately after.
* Start date: December 9, 2024* End date: First or second week of February 2025* Pay: $18/hr, housing may be provided.* For more information, contact Dr. Maureen Frank. maureenfrank@sulross.edu

Other Information:

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

It is the policy of Sul Ross State University to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons in accordance with their individual, job related qualifications and without consideration of race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and ancestry. Equal employment opportunities shall be afforded in all personnel actions or decisions including, but not necessarily limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, demotion, termination and salary. Retaliation is prohibited against a person who opposes a discriminatory practice, files a charge, testifies, assists or participates in an investigative proceeding or hearing.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report

The Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at https://srinfo.sulross.edu/udps/The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can contact the Office of Student Life, located on the Alpine Campus in the Morgan University Center, Room 211 or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 432-837-8424 or emailing stulife@sulross.edu

About SRSU:

Sul Ross State University Alpine Campus is in the Scenic Davis Mountains of West Texas, is a member of the Texas State University System, is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees, and has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students of campus in Alpine, Texas. At an elevation of 4,480 feet, and on the periphery of the Chihuahuan Desert, Alpine enjoys mild winters and cool summers. Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Big Bend National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are all within one to three hours driving distance from Alpine.

The SRSU campuses in Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde comprise Rio Grande College. RGC offers upper-level courses leading to bachelor's degrees as well as master's degree programs and works closely with its partner institution, Southwest Texas Junior College, to provide a seamless transition to RGC for their students. All RGC students hold an Associate degree from an accredited institution or they have completed 42 semester credit hours of transferrable work.

More information is available regarding Sul Ross State University and position openings See http://www.sulross.edu our website.

Is Background Check Required?:

Yes

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