Technician Wintering Grassland Bird and Habitat Surveys

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 worlds 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. Notice of Availability of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report The Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at The report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence domestic violence sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years. 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