Deer and Fire Research Crew Leader

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Crew Lead supports a collaborative research project examining how wildfire history influences mule deer habitat use, diet, and population dynamics across the Inter-mountain West. This role leads field operations, including vegetation sampling, scat collection, remote camera monitoring, and telemetry tracking, while working in rugged, mountainous terrain. The position also involves supervising field staff, coordinating with agency and NGO partners, and ensuring safe, efficient data collection to inform post-fire habitat restoration and wildlife conservation efforts.

Essential Job Duties:

• Collect deer fecal samples. Crew Lead will be responsible for establishing transects along deer trails to collect samples. Additionally, Crew Lead will use telemetry to find and collect fresh samples from collared deer. These samples will be used to identify diet.

• Plant identification and vegetation sampling along transects to help with diet study.

• Monitoring wildlife using remote cameras and automated recording units (ARUs) to identify carnivore community in region.

• Deploying BlackGlobe thermal sensors to collect microclimate data.

• Other related duties: Sample curation, labeling, storage and data entry.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Background Check

• Must be able to travel to field site in central Utah.

• Must have valid driver's license

Supervision:

• One FTE student employee

• Position will work with qualified volunteers and one student research technician. Applicant will be responsible for scheduling technician volunteer schedules, maintaining personnel safety, and supervising activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, forestry, or a related biological science

• Minimum one year prior field research experience

• Ability to navigate off-trail using GPS, maps, and compass

• Ability to work safely in remote, rugged. mountainous environments and variable weather

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized field protocols

• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

• Transportation to and from the work site

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS/BA in Natural Resources or related field

• Experience conducting field research on ungulates

• Experience with plant and/or scat identification

• Experience with remote camera deployment and data management

• Experience locating animals via VHF telemetry

• Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification

Salary Range

$19 - $24

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.