Black Bear Hair Snare Technician

About the role

The University of Georgia's – South Georgia Bear Project (SGBP) is looking for highly motivated, detail-oriented, and self-sufficient individuals to join the summer hair snare survey crew.

Responsibilities

• Technicians will be primarily responsible for constructing, repairing, and monitoring barbed wire hair snares, beginning in early May and extending to early August.
• Primary duties will include hair snare deployment, data entry, processing of field samples, and equipment maintenance.
• Work will be conducted on a combination of public and private properties across 11 counties in South Georgia (centered around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge).
• Free shared housing and field vehicles will be provided.
• Technicians will be comfortable operating 4×4 vehicles and UTVs over challenging terrain and can comfortably navigate with a handheld GPS unit.
• Applicants should be comfortable carrying 30 lb. backpacks, working in challenging conditions (high humidity/temperature, insects, tough topography, hazardous wildlife) in remote areas, and be able to navigate with provided field maps.
• Technicians must be able to carry up to 30 lb backpacks and work in hot and humid conditions. Driving as needed to perform job duties.

Requirements

• Be organized, detail-oriented and self-sufficient
• Attentive to detail when recording field data and entering it into electronic databases
• Willingness to work long hours and unusual schedules
• Strong communication skills – professionally represent the University of Georgia while completing fieldwork on public and private lands
• Familiarity with safely operating 4×4 vehicles and pulling trailers (including hooking up, driving, and backing up trailers)
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude
• Currently earning credentials in wildlife biology or related fields

Qualifications

• Experience hiking in remote areas
• Navigating small boats in shallow water
• Driving 4×4 vehicles
• Working as a team towards a research goal

Skills

• Be organized, detail-oriented and self-sufficient
• Attentive to detail when recording field data and entering it into electronic databases
• Willingness to work long hours and unusual schedules
• Strong communication skills – able to professionally represent the University of Georgia while completing fieldwork on public and private lands
• Familiarity with safely operating 4×4 vehicles and pulling trailers (including hooking up, driving, and backing up trailers)
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude
• Currently earning credentials in wildlife biology or related fields

Pay

Salary range: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour based on experience.

Schedule

Flexible schedule required, with occasional overnight stays.