Southern Illinois University - Carbondale · Illinois · posted today
Job Description: The Center for Wildlife Sustainability Research at Southern Illinois University is seeking multiple Deer Research Technicians and Lead Technicians to assist with white-tailed deer research across Illinois. This project is conducted in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and focuses on white-tailed deer movement, disease ecology, and population density estimation. These positions provide extensive hands-on experience with wildlife capture and handling, GPS telemetry, biological sampling, camera trapping, and multiple approaches to estimating deer abundance. Technicians will serve as the primary field staff for the project and work closely with SIU graduate students, project staff, partnering agencies, landowners, and volunteers. Primary responsibilities include: • Capture and collaring of deer via clover traps, drop nets, and dart guns • Handling and processing captured deer, including: • GPS collar fitting • Disease sampling • Blood drawls • Nasal and oral swabs • Ear tag and ear biopsy • Morphometric measurements • Age and body condition assessments • Conducting nighttime deer density road surveys using vehicle-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras • Deploying and retrieving large-scale camera grids • Scouting, baiting, and preparing deer capture sites • Checking trap lines and monitoring drop-net and darting sites • Mortality investigations • Processing biological samples in the lab, including centrifuging blood, pipetting plasma and serum. • Entering, organizing, and conducting QA/QC of field data • Maintaining and repairing traps, capture equipment, cameras, and other field gear • Maintaining professional relationships with private landowners, volunteers, and partnering agencies Timeline: We anticipate hiring six positions beginning November 18, 2026 (four technicians and two lead technicians) and two additional technician positions beginning January 4, 2027. Preference for the November positions will be given to applicants who can work the full field season. The January positions will begin with deer capture operations and are expected to continue through the spring FLIR survey and camera retrieval period. Applicants who are available for the capture period but cannot remain through the spring survey period may still be considered, particularly if they have substantial relevant experience with large-mammal capture and handling. Please clearly indicate your preferred start date and availability in the body of your application email. November 18 – December 22, 2026: Deer density surveys and camera deployment Technicians will be divided between two crews operating in northwestern and northeastern Illinois. Work will primarily consist of nighttime FLIR road surveys, deployment of camera grids, and associated field work. This portion of the position will involve substantial driving and hiking. Technicians should expect to work through Thanksgiving. December 23, 2026 – January 3, 2027: Holiday break All crews will receive a scheduled 12-day break over the Christmas and New Year period. January 4 – March 31, 2027: Deer capture season Technicians will transition to two capture crews operating in central and southern Illinois. This will be the capture-intensive portion of the position and will include clover trapping, drop-netting, remote darting, deer handling and processing, biological sampling, GPS collar deployment, and associated field and laboratory work. April 1 – April 24, 2027: Deer density surveys and camera retrieval Crews will conduct a second round of FLIR surveys and retrieve camera grids following the capture season. The exact end date is somewhat flexible and will depend on capture progress, survey schedules, and individual technician hours. Positions are expected to conclude between mid-March and late April 2027, or when the maximum appointment limit of 900 hours is reached. Location: Multiple sites in Illinois. Salary: Base pay starting at $16.00/hour but commensurate with experience. Lead technicians start at $18/hour. Housing is provided throughout the duration of the position. Qualifications: Required Qualifications: Applicants should have academic training in wildlife or related field. Must be willing to work long hours in the field, performing physically strenuous tasks outdoors in adverse weather conditions, including extreme cold at times (trapping equipment weighing >50lbs needs to be moved regularly, and adult deer must be physically restrained before anesthesia is administered). Must have prior experience in off-road driving 4-wheel drive vehicles. Required qualifications also include an enthusiasm for outdoor work with wildlife, getting along with your crewmates, reading maps and navigating independently (sometimes without cellular service), demonstrate organizational and communication skills, attention to detail, ability to follow study protocols, and carefully record data. Driver’s license required. Preferred Qualifications: Highly qualified applicants will have prior experience in large mammal and/or adult deer captures, radio telemetry, chemical immobilization, mortality investigations, and camera trapping. Lead technician applicants should meet most preferred qualifications, plus have experience in a leadership role and have exceptional communication skills for interactions with the public, partnering agencies, and with SIU staff. Must be able to create a work schedule and delegate tasks. How to Apply: Please email a cover letter, CV, and three references combined into a single PDF to Tadao Kishimoto at tadao.kishimoto@siu.edu. For technician applicants, name the PDF and use the email subject line: YourLastName_deertech_2027 (e.g., Kishimoto_deertech_2027) For lead technician applicants, add “_lead” to both the PDF name and email subject line: YourLastName_deertech_2027_lead (e.g., Kishimoto_deertech_2027_lead) In the body of the email, please state your position preference (technician or lead technician), preferred start date (November 18 or January 4), and your availability through the remainder of the field season.
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