The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in collaboration with the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (UMN), is conducting research on Minnesota's only elk population, evaluating herd health, movement patterns, habitat use, diet, and vital rates of adult and neonatal elk. We are currently seeking a temporary research technician to support this project from mid-April to mid-October. The selected candidate will join a team responsible for locating, capturing, and collaring elk calves, using radio telemetry to locate vaginal implant transmitters and collared elk, monitoring calf survival, and assessing adult and neonate cause-specific mortality by field necropsy. The selected candidate will also assist the research team in evaluating calving site habitat characteristics and summer diet of adult elk. The position is based out of Middle River, Minnesota, with fieldwork occurring throughout northwestern Minnesota. Extensive travel, including potential international travel into Canada, may be required. This is a 6-month term position based at the Thief Lake Wildlife Management Area headquarters, which includes housing (i.e., sleeping quarters, a full kitchen, shower, living room, washer/dryer, and internet). No pets are allowed in the provided housing or during fieldwork. Work hours are long and variable, sometimes including weekends. Hiking long distances in rugged terrain with thick vegetation will be required.

The anticipated dates for this temporary position are April 15 through October 15, 2025.

Job Duties

This position will focus on data collection and management, field logistics, equipment management, and maintenance, and working cooperatively with a wide variety of contacts and collaborators. The selected candidate will be responsible for investigating and determining the cause of death of adult and calf elk mortalities (training will be provided on all field protocols), managing 25 elk calf collars prior to deployment, retrieving and downloading data from these collars, and inputting and managing elk research data in a Microsoft Access database. The selected candidate will also conduct vegetation surveys. The candidate will maintain DNR equipment provided to the project (trucks, trailer, ATVs) and all field research equipment and supplies. They will also professionally represent DNR in various situations and to people interested in the elk research project, including landowners, hunters, tribal members, University personnel, state and federal agency personnel, DNR staff, and the general public. The selected candidate will work closely with landowners in the elk study area to maintain and gain access to private land for research. Additionally, they will manage numerous other administrative and managerial tasks related to the elk research projects.

Qualifications

The demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a scientific research team is required. The selected candidate must have a strong work ethic, critical thinking skills, attention to detail, a positive attitude, and the ability to work successfully alone and in groups in difficult field conditions. They must be professional and courteous to landowners, research personnel, and the public. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are required.

Demonstrated experience with data entry, database management, Microsoft Access and Excel, ESRI GIS, and the statistical software R is preferred. The selected candidate must be able to conduct meticulous data entry.

This position demands persistence, independence, self-reliance, and the ability/willingness to work long and irregular hours (holidays, weekends, early mornings/late evenings). A demonstrated ability to collect rigorous scientific data in remote and challenging field conditions is required. The candidate must be prepared to navigate in the field in remote areas, hike extensively off-trail in difficult terrain on a daily basis, and be willing to potentially travel into southern Manitoba, Canada.

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience capturing ungulate neonates, performing adult and neonate ungulate field necropsies, be familiar with and able to identify the vegetation of northern Minnesota, be able to navigate to remote locations with a GPS, operate 4WD vehicles/ATVs, handheld telemetry, and perform data entry and management.

Education/Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, fish and wildlife management, animal ecology, biology, or a closely related field is required. 1–2 years of experience conducting field research is preferred. Experience or the ability and interest to learn Microsoft Access and ESRI GIS is required. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.