Biological Technician – Early Career Development Program, Dugway PG, UT

The Biological Technician position at Colorado State University’s CEMML involves supporting natural resource management at Dugway Proving Ground, UT. This Early Career Development Program offers practical experience in conservation, ecological restoration, and environmental compliance. Ideal for students and recent graduates, the role includes hands-on projects under mentorship, focusing on wildlife management and natural resource monitoring. The position is full-time and seasonal, requiring on-site presence.
The Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML) is a research, education, and service unit within the Warner College of Natural Resources at CSU. CEMML applies the latest and most appropriate science to promote the sustainable management of natural and cultural resources on the Department of Defense (DoD) and other public lands. We provide technical support, conduct applied research, and offer career development and learning opportunities to support resource stewardship. We collaborate with our sponsors and other CSU departments to resolve complex environmental issues, leaving a legacy of science-based decisions that sustain our resources for future generations.
• Are you ready to join a nationwide community of passionate conservation professionals?
• Do you want to gain the skills and experience needed to launch your conservation career?
• Are you interested in conserving the incredible natural and cultural resources on our nation’s military lands?

If so, the CEMML Early Career Development Program (ECDP) might be just what you are looking for! Our program offers practical experience in fish and wildlife ecology, vegetation and habitat monitoring and management, restoration, environmental compliance, natural and cultural resources planning, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Ideal for students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals. You’ll have the opportunity to earn college credits (and money!), connect with mentors, and build a valuable professional network. You’ll learn about federal land management while gaining real-world experience to advance your career in natural resources. Guided by experienced Resource Managers and Specialists, you’ll engage in hands-on environmental management projects, developing practical skills and enhancing your professional growth.

The Role

This position will provide support to the natural resources program at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah. The intent of this position is to provide the successful applicant with exposure to careers in military lands management and natural resources work experience. The technician will contribute to conservation efforts at Dugway Proving Ground and learn about the regulatory framework and importance of managing natural resources on Department of Defense lands. Successful candidates will gain experience on a range of natural resource and wildlife management projects under mentorship with natural resource managers at Dugway Proving Ground. This position is full-time, Monday-Friday. This is a Seasonal Worker position, with an emphasis on wildlife and restoration ecology.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the tasks below:
• Support implementation of ecological restoration projects.
• Assist with propagation of natural plants and greenhouse management.
• Support photo monitoring and other natural resource monitoring projects including, but not limited to, basic inventories of flora and fauna; condition and trend monitoring; rare, threatened and endangered species monitoring (including pinyon jays, monarch butterflies and other pollinators, burrowing owls and other raptors, kit fox, and small mammals such as dark kangaroo mouse); baseline inventories; forest and range land inventories; game censuses; soil surveys; and other special purpose surveys.
• Assist with human-wildlife conflict including: trapping problem wildlife; relocating problem wildlife; documenting and removing wildlife moralities; appropriate wildlife hazing; and other conflict related activities.
• Maintain digital databases.
• Write reports and create presentations based on completed work.
• Use heavy and light equipment to maintain habitat, fire breaks and other ecological management strategies.
• Maintain UTV/ATV fleet.
• Maintain and operate sprinkler systems for ecological restoration.

ECDP technicians will have the opportunity to expand their skills in various disciplines, including but not limited to:
• Flora and fauna inventory
• Invasive species monitoring and management
• Threatened and endangered species monitoring
• Habitat restoration
• Erosion mitigation
• Forest inventory timber cruise
• Prescribed fire and wildland firefighting · Outdoor recreation
• Community outreach, volunteer coordination, and public education
• Field-data collection, entry, and management using GPS, ArcGIS, and Excel

Required Job Qualifications:
• Must have an interest in pursuing a career in federal lands management.
• Must be physically capable of working independently in outdoor locations under varying weather conditions.
• Pursuing a B.S. in natural resources-, cultural resources-, ecosystem science-, or environmental policy-related field (at least a sophomore standing).
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date for operating federal vehicles.
• Must be able to pass a federal background investigation to obtain a Department of Defense Installation Access Pass.
• Must have legal authorization to work in the U.S.; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

We’d love to hear about your experience with the preferred qualifications listed below! Please also share any additional qualifications you believe make you a great fit for this position:
• Currently enrolled or holder of a Graduate Degree in natural resources-, biology-, or environmental science-related fields.
• Experience collecting field data and entering data in paper or digital forms.
• Experience using GPS equipment to collect field data.
• Experience flora and/or fauna monitoring or management (specify taxa/ecosystem/regions of prior experience).
• Experience performing habitat restoration or invasive species management.
• Experience in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment in wildland fire and forestry practices and/or ability to meet requirements for the NWCG standards for Fire Fighter Type 2, which includes an annual pack test at arduous level and fire line refresher (maintained annually).
• Experience with manual labor using powered tools and heavy equipment such as chainsaws, weed-eaters, mowers, tractors, ATVs/UTVs etc.
• Training and experience using GIS software.

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.