Research Associate – White-tailed Deer Dispersal and Movement Patterns in Flood-prone Areas of the Mississippi River Delta of Louisiana

Job Summary – This position will serve as a field-based project coordinator of a long-term research project focused on assessing white-tailed deer movements relative to flooding and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in northeastern Louisiana. The successful candidate will coordinate and conduct field research on-site in northeastern Louisiana, where CWD is established and of significant management concern to agencies and landowners. The candidate will be primarily responsible for coordinating and conducting field research that will involve capture of adult and juvenile white-tailed deer using various capture techniques, immobilization of captured animals, monitoring of captured animals via radio telemetry, investigating related mortality events, and running the day-to-day operations of a field crew including a technician and intermittent support from other personnel. The applicant will also assist in managing databases, summarizing data, and preparing technical reports and presentations to disseminate the results of the research. The candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for state agency personnel within the study area, as well as private landowners, and others with questions or concerns about the field research. Likewise, the candidate will serve as the liaison between field research activities and principal investigators in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia.

Start & End Dates – The job will begin December 1st, 2024 and run through May 31st, 2025, however, there is some small flexibility with start and end dates.  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies required to successfully perform work – B.S. or M.S. (preferred) in Wildlife Management, Wildlife Ecology, Ecology, Biology, or a closely related field. The employee must have significant experience working both independently and as team to conduct safe and effective large animal capture operations. The individual must also have advanced knowledge of field, spatial, and communication techniques to design and carry out research with little oversight on private lands. Critically, the applicant must have extensive knowledge and experience running a field crew capturing, handling, and immobilizing ungulates. The candidate must be fluent in English, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a willingness to work in hot, humid, and buggy field conditions. The applicant must also be comfortable working in sites with possible interactions with venomous snakes and large predators such as black bears and alligators.

Preferred Qualifications – This position requires an advanced background in project coordination, supervision of employees, and management of intensive field studies with large ungulates or other wildlife species. Working knowledge of radio-telemetry and GPS technologies is required, as is a working knowledge of GIS technology, both in the lab and field. The successful candidate will have extensive experience leading crews capturing and handling ungulates, be seasoned in the use of 4WD and all-terrain vehicles, and be well organized. Previous experience in remote field settings working with technicians is a plus, but is not required. The applicant should have experience working with state or federal wildlife management agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public. They should also be extremely comfortable with oral communication in professional and public settings.

Physical Requirements – Much of the work of this position is conducted in the field in all weather conditions, and in terrain which may be in remote locations. The employee should be capable of lifting at least 50 pounds. Remaining work will be based in an office setting.