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The Earth Systems Research Center (ESRC) of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is looking for a field technician (essential staff) to assist field efforts on a snowshoe hare research project in northeastern Vermont during the summer of 2026 (~mid-June start date). The project is led by principal investigator (PI) Alexej Siren (ESRC) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with support from co-PIs from the University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts, and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. It will take place in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division (hereafter Nulhegan), specifically within the towns of Brunswick, Lewis, Ferdinand, and Bloomfield, Vermont. The field season will last ~8-10 weeks and training will be provided by PI Siren.
The effort on this study supports ongoing work within ESRC evaluating the effects of changes in snowpack and habitat on wildlife populations. Specifically, this project will evaluate the effects of ecological silvicultural practices (variable density thinning) on snowshoe hare demography and space use over a two-year period. We will also evaluate responses of other boreal forest obligates (e.g., spruce grouse) to these silvicultural practices. Our new project will build from our previous research (Influence of matrix habitat on snowshoe hare demography and Predicting hare microhabitats using drone-based LiDAR) and provide land managers information on the compatibility of alternative conifer regeneration practices with ecologically important wildlife species. Having an assistant technician for this project is critical for gathering new information on how snow-dependent and boreal species such as snowshoe hares will respond to global change.

Duties/Responsibilities

Live-trapping, handling, and collaring snowshoe hares (80%)

• Snowshoe hares will be live-trapped, radio-collared, and monitored via telemetry from mid-June through mid-August. All field activities listed below will be supervised by PI Siren and the assistant technician will be trained by PI-Siren and the lead technician.

  • The technician will assist with live-trapping efforts, including setting, baiting, and checking live-traps.

  • The technician will assist handling, ear-tagging, and radio-collaring (VHF and GPS collars) as well as the collection of morphological data and genetic data (tissue sample from ears).

  • The technician will assist with weekly telemetry surveys to obtain locations on a subset of individuals with VHF collars and assist with necropsy investigations on any deceased hares.

Camera and acoustic recording unit surveys (10%)

• The technicians will also learn a camera-trap (CT) and acoustic recording unit (ARU) protocol and establish sites within the study area. This fieldwork will mostly occur during hare surveys as CTs/ARUs will be located adjacent or within the snowshoe hare sampling sites.

Administrative work (10%)

• Technicians will be required to directly report to project supervisors/cooperators prior to leaving and upon finishing surveys, except when the supervisor is present. Communication will occur either in person or through email/phone during the evening to discuss work and plans for the coming day(s). All field data will be entered and emailed daily to the project supervisor if they are not present.

Technicians will be responsible for traveling to and from the research station (from their place of origin), providing their own meals, and work clothing/gear. Housing and field gear required for surveys (e.g., GPS units and field notebooks) will be provided by the project and a federal vehicle will be available for accessing the field sites for trap setting and removal.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Undergraduate degree (BS) in wildlife ecology or a related field

• At least 1 season of experience live-trapping and radio-collaring mammals and performing radio-telemetry to obtain locations of radio-collared animals.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid driver's license as they will be required to travel to and from the field sites.

• Take a defensive driver course, to be eligible to drive a federal vehicle for fieldwork.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Capability to work independently and communicate effectively with project partners and collaborators.

• Considerable problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a range of outdoor environments with a co-worker and independently, which includes substantial off-trail hiking in remote and rugged wilderness, biting insects (especially during spring fieldwork), and inclement weather.

• Able to hike up to 10 miles per day and carry a 50 lb. pack (including personal gear).

• Able to work long days in the field (e.g., 10-hours) and be able to use modern (e.g., GPS) and traditional (e.g., map and compass) navigational gear to travel to and from field sites.

• Flexible with their work hours, occasionally working on weekends and that they are good at following established field protocols.

• Able to use database, email, and word processing software as well as mapping software (ESRI products such as Field Maps and Survey123). All of these software programs will be used regularly by the applicant on this project.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS degree in wildlife ecology, wildlife biology, or a related field.

• Prior experience with live-trapping and radio-collaring snowshoe hares and conducting CT and ARU surveys.

• Experience with conducting telemetry and necropsy surveys for hares, following detailed protocols, and driving in remote areas.

• Ability to identify the trees, shrubs, and plants of northern New England is also preferred.

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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