Monday, March 10, 2025

Bat Capture and Handling Technicians - 4 positions

Description:
We are seeking 4 technicians to assist in the capture and handling of bats. These technicians will: (i) organize, repair, and maintain mist netting gear; (ii) safely travel to remote locations for fieldwork; (iii) put up and take down mist nets, including single and triple-high setups; (iv) capture, handle, ID to species, sex, and collect samples from live bats; (v) record a variety of data in detail; (vi) strictly adhere to decontamination protocols to prevent the spread of the causative agent of white-nose syndrome among field sites; (vii) maintain a positive, inclusive, and healthy dynamic among members of the team.

Required Qualifications:  
Successful candidates should possess the following experience and abilities:  
Mist netting and handling of bats – preference will be given to individuals who have completed the pre-exposure series of rabies vaccines Gentle, patient, and kind demeanor, particularly while handling wildlife  Meticulously organizing and recording accurate data that contributes to a larger scientific study  Safely working or recreating outdoors, safely operating 4WD vehicles on muddy, low maintenance roads  Working at night in a small team, in adverse weather conditions while maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor  Maintaining a healthy community dynamic among a diverse group of people with a variety of beliefs  Engaging in thoughtfulness in speech, particularly when communicating among members of the team, with landowners, or with members of the public  Actively seeking and implementing feedback  

Desired Qualifications:  
Possess, or currently working towards, a degree in wildlife biology or management, ecology, environmental science, or a related field  Prior experience mist netting and handling bats in the Northern Great Plains region  Ability to navigate with a map, compass, and GPS  Competency in identifying vegetative communities in the Northern Great Plains region

To Apply: We are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our field. Therefore, if you possess 75% of the required qualifications above, please consider applying. We are particularly passionate about hiring “whole people” (and not exclusively those that possess the technical abilities for this position); therefore, if you possess the interpersonal qualities listed above, and some, but not all, of the technical qualifications, please also consider applying.  

Before applying, please visit The Litt Lab Website to read more details about this position. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three references to: caraliebrewer@montana.edu using the subject line “Lastname Capture Technician 2025”. The application deadline is March 15, 2025; candidates should expect to hear back from our team within 1-2 weeks of this deadline for interviews. In your cover letter, please describe: (i) what skills and qualifications (both interpersonal and technical) you possess relative to the position description; (ii) your connection to, and/or passion for, the land we will be working on; and (iii) how this position will help you further your personal or career goals.

Contact: Cara Brewer, caraliebrewer@montana.edu (preferred contact method)