Research Technician I – Field Support for South Texas Lion Project

About the role

The Research Technician I (Temporary/Casual) provides technical field support for the South Texas Lion Project within the SPEC Lab and Patton Center for Deer Research at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. The position runs from December 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 and includes housing on ranches in Maverick, Dimmit and Webb Counties.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the capture team with trapping and collaring mountain lions under supervision.
• Maintain and deploy camera traps to scout new ranches and assess lion presence.
• Identify and interpret mountain‑lion sign such as tracks, scrapes, and scats.
• Track collared lions using telemetry and investigate GPS clusters.
• Collect, label, and organize scat and other biological samples.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent (or combination of education and experience).
• At least two years of related field experience.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Working toward or completed a B.S. in wildlife biology, wildlife management, conservation biology, ecology, or a related field (preferred).

Required skills

• Ability to navigate off‑trail in remote settings.
• Physical capacity to lift heavy objects, hike several miles with equipment, and work in >90° heat and thorny brush.
• Proficiency with telemetry equipment, GPS tracking, and camera‑trap operation.

What we offer

• Housing on ranches in Maverick, Dimmit and Webb Counties.
• Compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition assistance and paid leave.