Description

Marbled Murrelet Bioacoustics Technician

One field technician is needed to conduct field work for a bioacoustics research project at survey sites throughout Humboldt County, CA. This monitoring program will use autonomous recording units (ARUs) to survey marbled murrelets, an endangered species of seabird that nests in coastal old-growth forest stands.

The project focuses on developing acoustic methods for monitoring marbled murrelets. This cryptic species is difficult and thus labor-intensive to detect through typical survey methods, so the project aims to develop cost-effective and accurate means for detecting murrelets through passive acoustic monitoring. 

Start and end dates for this position are ideally March 1st – August 22nd, but there is flexibility within early March through late-August.  Pay is $20/hour. A typical workweek is 40 hours. Field housing will be provided.  

Schedules are expected to be irregular, dependent on weather conditions, and will include a combination of field and office work. Field work consists of deploying, servicing, and retrieving autonomous recording units (ARUs) throughout survey sites. Some sites will be reached by vehicle via forest roads, but many areas require off-trail hiking in sometimes steep terrain to access deployment locations. Office work can include, but is not limited to, data entry, downloading and managing acoustic data, updating maps, and prepping and troubleshooting equipment. Other duties may include clearing roads of debris using hand tools, and vehicle maintenance (i.e. changing tires). Much of the work will be solitary, but field housing is shared amongst others. The technician must be respectful and able to live with others, cooperatively. NOTE: Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean record with 2+ years of driving experience to pass the screening/certification required to drive a university fleet vehicle. 

Ideal applicants will have experience working in remote conditions; working solo in the field; driving 4WD vehicles on unmaintained, back country roads; and hiking in difficult conditions with a heavy pack (up to ~20lbs). Experience with ARUs/acoustic data collection is a plus. 

Required Qualifications:

-Demonstrated experience hiking multiple miles, carrying a heavy pack in occasionally steep terrain

-Demonstrated experience navigating unfamiliar terrain with maps and GPS  

-Demonstrated experience following established field protocols

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in wildlife (or related), or multiple seasons of equivalent field experience

-Demonstrated ability to safely operate and use discretion while driving 4-wheel-drive vehicles on backcountry roads

-Ability to take accurate field notes and translate these into electronic databases

-Demonstrated ability to work alone, far from human settlements

-Experience with ARUs or other bioacoustics technology

UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is committed to maintaining and growing a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements of our excellence and fundamental components of a positive and enriching learning and working environment for all students, faculty, and staff.  

The application deadline is: 11:59 pm on January 5, 2026.  Please include a cover letter AND resume that clearly outlines how you meet the listed Required and Preferred qualifications and states why you are interested in the position. Also, please include at least three references and their contact information. Apply formally here: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/wildlife-technician-madison-wisconsin-united-states-12075955-d201-4ac5-9f80-7034697dd416

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

-Demonstrated experience hiking multiple miles, carrying a heavy pack in occasionally steep terrain

-Demonstrated experience navigating unfamiliar terrain with maps and GPS  

-Demonstrated experience following established field protocols

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in wildlife (or related), or multiple seasons of equivalent field experience

-Demonstrated ability to safely operate and use discretion while driving 4-wheel-drive vehicles on backcountry roads

-Ability to take accurate field notes and translate these into electronic databases

-Demonstrated ability to work alone, far from human settlements

-Experience with ARUs or other bioacoustics technology