Mountain Quail Research Field Technician

Washington State University is seeking two field technicians for a mountain quail research program in Asotin, WA. Positions are available from March to June 2025 and April to May 2025. Responsibilities include live-capturing, GPS tagging, and tracking quail, conducting vegetation surveys, and using acoustic devices. The role requires rigorous hiking in rugged terrain, and field housing is provided. A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife or a related field is required.
• January 27

Employer: Washington State University Location: Asotin, WA Country: United States Last Date to Apply: 03/15/2025 Open Until Filled: Yes

Position description — Washington State University’s Quantitative Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Lab has openings for two (2) field technicians in our mountain quail research program. The first position is from March 1st through June 30th 2025 (4 months), and the second position is from April 1st through May 31st 2025 (2 months). Field work will take place in southeast Washington and neighboring counties in Oregon.

Mountain quail are ‘Critically Imperiled’ in Washington state, and this research is designed to inform conservation strategies in collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Technicians will have the unique opportunity to live-capture, GPS tag, and track mountain quail through several life history stages. Technicians will work directly with a graduate student to gain a variety of experiences, including handling and tracking mountain quail, relocating migrating quail, locating nests, setting up trail cameras to monitor nests, conducting raptor surveys, and performing vegetation surveys. Additionally, technicians will gain experience deploying acoustic recording devices and processing acoustic data to detect quail and other birds by their vocalizations, as well as trail cameras to detect quail and terrestrial predators.

Field work will require daily rigorous off-trail hiking in rugged and beautiful terrain. Some activities will involve multi-day backpacking excursions to locate and monitor tagged quail. The work schedule will include some evenings, nightwork, and weekends. The area hosts numerous other species, including coyotes, bighorn sheep, raptors, rattlesnakes, black bears, and cougars. Pay for this position is $16.66, 40 hrs/week. Field housing (WDFW bunkhouses and camper trailers) and a work vehicle are available for work-related activities. There is no cellular service or Wi-Fi at the study site, but there is a phone (landline) at the bunkhouse for technicians to use. The nearest towns are Asotin and Clarkston, WA (about 45 mins away).

Qualifications — A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife or related field. Technicians must be able to hike off-trail 5-10 miles a day in rugged terrain, maintain a positive attitude, and communicate effectively with the graduate student, professor, and other researchers. A U.S. driver’s license is required, and previous experience trapping avian species is preferred, but not required. To apply, send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for 3 references in a single document to Georgia Isted (Georgia.Isted@wsu.edu). Please also indicate which of the two positions you are applying for. Applications will be reviewed immediately in the order received.