Cougar Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department:Department of Fisheries, Wildlife & ConservationSpecial Instructions to Applicants:

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by September 17, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) Transcripts (upload as a separate document): Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools.

For additional information please contact:

Joshua Twining

joshua.twining@oregonstate.edu

(607) 220-7547

Job Summary:

This recruitment will be used to one full-time, Biological Sciences Technician 3: Cougar and Bobcat Capture and Research Technician position in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University (OSU). This is a limited duration appointment expected to last approximately 6-months from the appointment begin date.

The Twining Applied Quantitative Ecology Lab at OSU is seeking a cougar-focused technician for our carnivore interaction study in southern Oregon, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. We are studying fisher conservation through the lens of interactions with other carnivores, namely bobcats and cougars, as well as forest structure and disturbance history, using GPS location data and fine-scale movement data. We are looking to recruit an individual experienced with live-capture of cougars to join to our team for this project which consists of ODFW Western Research team and faculty, postdocs, and graduate students from the Department of Fisheries Wildlife and Conservation Sciences at OSU.

The position will be physically demanding work in challenging winter conditions (cold, snow, ice, rain, sun, dense vegetation), navigating difficult terrain (steep slopes, logging roads, backcountry), with long periods in the field.

The primary duties will be setting and maintaining an array of cameras with deer carcasses on the landscape, monitoring the array cameras, and setting live-traps when cougars or bobcats start visiting a carcass. Once live-traps are set, the technician will be the primary individual responsible for monitoring traps (once every 30-minutes, remotely). The technician will assist Dr. Wes Binder and other team members in anesthesia and collaring of cougars and bobcats when caught.

Accommodation will be provided when in the field in form of trailer or bunk house.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for Extension and outreach are likewise committed to learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audience. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Camera trap and live-trap setup and maintenance

• Remote live-trap monitoring/on call

• Cougar and bobcat anesthesia and collaring

• Managing equipment

• Data entry

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in wildlife science, fisheries and wildlife, biology, ecology or a closely related biological science AND two years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 level; Three additional years of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Science Research Technician 2 level may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree.
• Live-capture and handling of wild carnivores using cage traps, box traps and/or foot-hold sets.
• Independently establishing capture sets and adapting set configuration and procedure to site, terrain and weather conditions.
• Collecting, recording, quality-checking and summarizing field research data, and reporting results in writing and verbally to a project leader.
• Instructing or training others in field research or animal-handling procedures.
• Adapting, modifying or fabricating field research equipment to meet project needs.
• Working alone and leading small crews in remote backcountry conditions, including at night.
• Driving a 4x4 pickup truck in hazardous winter conditions in challenging terrain.
• Excellent organization and communication skills.
• Strong commitment to safety, animal welfare and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment.

Working Conditions/Schedule:Appointment period: approximately six months, December 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027, based in southern Oregon
Work schedule.
This position requires substantial work outside the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays. During active trapping the incumbent is on call 24 hours per day and must check remote trap cameras at intervals of 30 minutes or less around the clock - including overnight, on weekends and on holidays - and must respond to capture events whenever they occur. Capture events routinely require call-back outside scheduled hours and work in excess of 40 hours in a work week. A significant proportion of the hours worked in this position will fall between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, and the position is expected to work overtime during the capture season.
Working conditions.
Physically and mentally demanding work in harsh conditions - cold, snow, ice, rain, heat and dense vegetation - with long days, weekend work and difficult terrain. The incumbent will work outdoors in severe winter conditions; lift and carry bulky equipment up to 60 lbs; traverse rugged off-trail terrain, including at night; and drive a 4x4 vehicle on unimproved mountain roads, including at night and in snow and ice. The position involves direct handling of anesthetized large carnivores, exposure to controlled chemical immobilization agents, and extended periods working alone in remote areas outside cellular coverageSalary Range:Min $19.36 - Max $28.75Anticipated Start Date:2026-12-01Anticipated End Date:2027-05-31

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.