Research Specialist – Wildlife Ecology

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience: Knowledge of Wisconsin Grassland and wetland vegetation community types, agricultural practices, avian ecology, wildlife ecology, and wildlife management is required. Ability to identify all birds of southern Wisconsin by song, call, and sight is required. Ability to identify snakes and small mammals is a plus. Ability to interpret maps and air photos is required. Must have the ability to work with landowners/wildlife managers and the ability to work independently and exhibit good organizational skills. Computer expertise in SAS, ArcInfo, and ARCView is required. Supervisory experience desired. Capable of lifting 60 lbs. Willing and able to walk long distances in inclement weather and various environments (wetlands, agricultural, hilly terrain, humidity, dry).

Principal duties: Conduct field work, including decoy-trapping and nest searching for a study of nesting waterfowl in private lands in southern Wisconsin. Assist with research evaluating the effects of removing wooded fencerows on grassland birds and their predators in southwest Wisconsin; this includes monitoring of snakes and other mammalian and avian nest predators; bird surveys, and vegetation sampling. Conduct breeding surveys of grassland birds, pheasants, ducks, roadside habitats, and vegetation for a research project evaluating the effects of landscape-scale habitat management on grassland birds in the Glacial Habitat Restoration Area (GHRA) in east-central Wisconsin. Coordinate all fieldwork and supervise/train seasonal field staff for grassland bird and pheasant surveys. Work cooperatively with landowners and wildlife management personnel. Develop spatial databases on grassland bird, predator, and duck research; digitize, edit and process habitat and wildlife surveys data in Geographic Information System (GIS) using Arc/Info Software on a UNIX workstation. Produce graphics and analyze spatial data using GIS software. Develop and manage tabular databases and perform summary analyses using SAS software. Assist in report writing. Assist wildlife resarchers with other research studies as needed. A period of evaluation will be required