Technician - Wintering Grassland Bird and Habitat Surveys

Instructions to applicants:

There are 2 positions open for this posting.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes and curriculum vitae do not take the place of this required information.

Job Title:

Technician - Wintering Grassland Bird and Habitat Surveys

Location:

Alpine

Department:

Borderlands Research Institute

Job No.:

G99991

Posting Date:

12/08/2025

End Date:

02/28/2026

Until Filled:

Yes

Appointment Date:

01/01/2026

Salary:

$20/hour; 20 to 40 hours per week

Required:

• Experience identifying birds.
• Experience identifying vegetation.
• Ability to work both with a team and on your own.
• Ability to work in remote locations and in cold/windy conditions.

Preferred:

• B.S. in Natural Resources Management or related field.
• Experience driving 4-wheel-drive trucks.
• Experience identifying birds in the Trans-Pecos/Chihuahuan Desert or desert southwest.
• Experience identifying plants in the Trans-Pecos/Chihauhuan Desert or desert southwest.
• Experience working with private landowners and on private property.

Staffing Reason:

Temporary

Primary Responsibilities:

Grasslands are one of the larges biomes within the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem, and are valuable for food and energy production, recreation, tourism, and culture. Additionally, these desert ecosystems also provide critical ecosystem services such as climate regulation, carbon sequestration, erosion and pest control, water regulation, and pollination services, and are rich in biodiversity. However, despite their significance, desert ecosystems are one of the world's most imperiled ecosystems. Populations of grassland birds have declined consistently and at higher rates than any other group of birds in North America. Long-term avian populations have decreased in the past 60 years. This decline is primarily attributed to the loss of suitable habitat, but wintering habitat requirements are not well-studied for most species.

This position will support an ongoing study of birds that winter in the Chihuahuan Desert grasslands and how bird communities respond to woody plant treatments. Tasks will include:

• Following established protocol to identify and count grassland birds.
• Following established protocol to measure vegetation at various scales.
• Data entry.
• Other tasks, as needed.

A typical survey will involve meeting with other surveyors (graduate student and technicians) before sunrise to start conducting bird surveys shortly after sunrise. One bird survey takes 2-3 hours and the vegetation survey for that plot is conducted immediately after.
Start date: January 1, 2026 End date: February 28, 2026 Pay: $20/hr, housing may be provided. For more information, contact Dr. Maureen Frank. maureenfrank

Other Information:

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

It is the policy of Sul Ross State University to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons in accordance with their individual, job related qualifications and without consideration of race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and ancestry. Equal employment opportunities shall be afforded in all personnel actions or decisions including, but not necessarily limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, upgrading, promotion, demotion, termination and salary. Retaliation is prohibited against a person who opposes a discriminatory practice, files a charge, testifies, assists or participates in an investigative proceeding or hearing.

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A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request. If you would like to receive a paper copy, you can contact the Office of Student Life, located on the Alpine Campus in the Morgan University Center, Room 211 or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling or emailing

About SRSU:

Our campuses span a fascinating part of Texas-Alpine, in the heart of the beautiful Big Bend area, and Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde along the vibrant, bicultural Texas/Mexico border.

What you've heard is true - there is something very special about the areas we serve in our great State, and Sul Ross State University is vital to the continued growth and progress of our students and the communities we serve.

Sul Ross State provides students with the education they need to translate their passions into a fulfilling career. This life-changing experience has a multi-generational impact, transforming the lives of our students, their families and positively impacting the communities in which they reside. We value learning and strive to provide high quality education in a welcoming, supportive environment. We take pride in the fact that we serve a diverse population including many first-generation college students as well as non-traditional students, international students, student-athletes and graduate students.

From teaching, coaching and law enforcement, to science, ranch management and the Fine Arts, SRSU offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Known as the Frontier University of Texas, Sul Ross encourages each student to explore their own frontiers and to exceed their educational, personal and professional goals.

For more information about how we're strategizing for the future, I invite you to visit .

Is Background Check Required?:

Yes