What are the responsibilities and job description for the Black Bear Technician-short term, no degree required 2026-2027 position at Sul Ross State University?
required information.
Job Title
Black Bear Technician-short term, no degree required 2026-2027
Location
Alpine
Department
Borderlands Research Institute
Job No.
G99451
Posting Date
04/20/2026
End Date
Until Filled
Yes
Appointment Date
09/01/2026
Salary
$18/hour up to 40 hours/week
Required
- Progress towards or completion of a bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology, biology, ecology, or closely related field.
- Ability to lift and carry over 50 pounds and hike over rocky, steep, and rough terrain in remote locations.
- Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to safely drive a 4WD vehicle through rugged conditions.
- Ability to implement and adhere to established data collection protocols.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate well with coworkers, supervisor, state personnel, and private landowners.
- Ability to maintain a positive and mature attitude.
- Must be able to thrive in remote desert locations with little access to certain amenities.
Preferred
- Prior experience setting and maintaining hair snares and camera traps.
- Prior experience capturing and collaring bears, or other large carnivores.
- Familiarity with safety in hot/arid climates.
- Experience with chemical immobilization.
- Basic mechanical skills.
Staffing Reason
Institutional
Primary Responsibilities
Technician(s) are needed to support a black bear research project in west Texas. After a 30 year absence, black bears are starting to recolonize this part of Texas. Researchers with the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University have initiated a multi-year study exploring many aspects of the recolonizing population’s ecology.
Technician will work under the direction of the project graduate students and supervisory researchers. Depending on time-of-year, duties may include trapping logistics and animal
handling, operating camera traps, running hair snares, data collection and organization, and sample processing.
Position(s) in the spring and fall and will last for 3 months. The position may require long/early days and weekend work. Applicants are expected to be self-motivated, work well independently as well as in a team, and be able to follow instructions. Applicants are expected to be able to effectively navigate rough terrain both on foot and by vehicle (UTV & 4×4 truck).
- Start date: Pending
- End date: Pending
- Pay: $18/hr
- For more information, contact Matt Hewitt, matthew.hewitt@sulross.edu or Caitlin Camp,caitlin.camp.@sulross.edu
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 https://srinfo.sulross.edu/udps/
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 432-837-8424 or emailing stulife@sulross.edu
About SRSU
Our campuses span a fascinating part of Texas—Alpine, in the heart of the beautiful Big Bend area, and Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde along the vibrant, bicultural Texas/Mexico border.
What you’ve heard is true – there is something very special about the areas we serve in our great State, and Sul Ross State University is vital to the continued growth and progress of our students and the communities we serve.
Sul Ross State provides students with the education they need to translate their passions into a fulfilling career. This life-changing experience has a multi-generational impact, transforming the lives of our students, their families and positively impacting the communities in which they reside. We value learning and strive to provide high quality education in a welcoming, supportive environment. We take pride in the fact that we serve a diverse population including many first-generation college students as well as non-traditional students, international students, student-athletes and graduate students.
From teaching, coaching and law enforcement, to science, ranch management and the Fine Arts, SRSU offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Known as the Frontier University of Texas, Sul Ross encourages each student to explore their own frontiers and to exceed their educational, personal and professional goals.
For more information about how we’re strategizing for the future, I invite you to visit www.sulross.edu.
Is Background Check Required?
Yes
Salary : $18