Research Assistant

Research Assistant Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management Proposed Minimum Salary $15.85 hourly

About Tamus (System Wide External)

College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description About Texas A&M AgriLife Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System.

With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Responsibilities

• Conduct monitoring for birds, bats, and mammals using autonomous recording units (acoustic and ultrasonic monitors) and trail cameras in west Texas.
• The successful candidate will deploy and maintain monitors at our west Texas field site, process data using automated classifiers, and manually verify species identifications from classifier results.
• The Research Associate will also perform data entry and upload files to the project database.
• The Research Associate will work closely with staff and collaborators to conduct activities and support the overall needs of the project.
• Frequent travel to field sites in west Texas to deploy autonomous recording units (acoustic and ultrasonic monitors) and trail cameras, including device setup, maintenance, and data retrieval.
• Organize and process acoustic recordings and photographs using both automated classification software (e.g., BirdNET, SonoBat, MegaDetector) and manual file review.
• Conduct data entry and quality control checks; upload files to project database.
• Ensure all field gear and sensors are in good working order.
• Maintain meticulous field notes and frequent communication with project supervisors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's in wildlife biology or closely related natural resource field.
• Collect data with strong attention to detail while working independently or as part of a small team.
• Communicate effectively.
• Work early mornings and walk/hike for extended periods while carrying a field pack; positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, normal daily temperatures of over 90°F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain.
• Ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.
• Proficient typing and transcription skills; able to complete repetitive tasks.

Preferred

• Experience identifying mammals, birds (particularly by sound), and/or bats (by sonogram) that occur in west Texas.
• Experience deploying autonomous recording units and/or trail cameras for wildlife research.
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles.
• Experience in field navigation and spatial data collection using GPS.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS Pro/Field Maps, and/or automated classification software for wildlife detection (e.g., BirdNET, SonoBat, MegaDetector.

Benefits

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

• When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
• In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit pack age including the following: Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife Applicant Instructions Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached.

What

You Need to Know Position Funding: This position is grant funded and availability is contingent on grant funding.

Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application. Any questions, please contact Dr. Ty Werdel at [email protected] Required Documents CV/Resume Cover letter List of references Certifications/additional documentation All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.