[Hiring] Wildlife Disease Specialist @Colorado State University

Role Description

The National Park Service (NPS) Wildlife Health Team and Biological Resources Division in cooperation with Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory supports the NPS mission of preserving natural resources by providing technical assistance to parks and regions and using multi-disciplinary One Health and landscape-scale approaches for solving complex health and conservation challenges. We are looking for a wildlife disease specialist to develop a comprehensive wildlife disease surveillance plan for a national park that supports conservation of wildlife and protection of public health within a One Health adaptive management framework.

The successful candidate for this position will have experience in:

• wildlife health and disease
• epidemiology
• biological sampling and diagnostic test interpretation
• biosafety and biosecurity practices within a management or research context

This position is part time (approximately 10 hours a week) for 6 – 9 months, with flexibility to negotiate hours worked per week depending on workload and necessary timeline to complete project objectives.

Essential Job Duties

• Refine goals, objectives, scope and components of the plan with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers.
• Identify and prioritize diseases of concern for focal species, considering potential for spillover to other wildlife and humans.
• Develop surveillance strategies for priority diseases that align with park management and research operations.
• Establish detailed sample collection, submission and archive protocols and data management plans for surveillance data.
• Develop disease outbreak and wildlife mortality response protocols including timely reporting and communications, immobilization of personnel and resources, biosecurity and biosafety guidance for personnel and detailed sample collection and field necropsy protocols.
• Train or facilitate training of park personnel and partners in surveillance strategies, safe practices and data management to support sustainable implementation of the plan.
• Define a process for structured annual review with partners and stakeholders to evaluate and refine the plan’s effectiveness and relevance to emerging threats and available technologies and diagnostic capabilities.
• Maintain routine and timely communication with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers on project objectives, progress and questions as they arise.
• Facilitate scheduling and operation of team meetings with project collaborators and stakeholders as jointly identified and planned with NPS veterinarian and park natural resource managers.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires)
• Valid Driver’s License - Must possess or obtain a valid driver’s license by the employment start date and maintain such in good standing for duration of active employment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have at least a graduate (PhD) or professional (DVM) degree in biological, wildlife or veterinary related fields and have wildlife disease, diagnostic interpretation and epidemiological experience.
• Must be able to operate a computer and phone.
• Must provide own space to work with workable computer, phone and internet access.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in use of email, MS WORD, MS Excel for written communications, products and data management.
• Proficiency in use of online databases to complete literature searches and compile related published data and information.
• Familiarity with TEAMS, Microsoft Office 350, Adobe software and statistical programs preferred.

Salary Range

$35.00/hour

Required Application Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.