Extension/Research Associate

Position Function: The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture is seeking two full-time Extension Associates to assist with a broad portfolio of field, research, and outreach activities as part of the Mississippi State University Extension Gamebird Program. These positions will support waterfowl and upland gamebird monitoring, GPS telemetry research, Extension programming, landowner outreach, and digital content development aimed at conservation delivery and education across Mississippi and the Southeastern U.S. Salary Grade: 13 Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department. Department Profile: Mississippi State University is a top-ranked research institution, and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture (WFA) has a strong applied focus in wildlife conservation and management. The 35-member faculty within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture leads one of the most productive research programs in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. The Department is well-known for its highly collegial and interdisciplinary faculty, post-doctoral fellows, research and extension associates that help make the Department one of the premier institutions for applied wildlife and fisheries science in the nation. As one of the fastest growing undergraduate programs in the region, our 300 undergraduate students have concentrations in wildlife agriculture science, human-wildlife interactions, conservation biology, wildlife veterinary medicine, conservation law enforcement, and wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture science. The Department also houses 60 graduate students across a variety of programs. For additional information see extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/wildlife and www.cfr.msstate.edu/wildlife Area of Specialization: Gamebirds Anticipated Appointment Date: January 2026. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The successful candidates will support the MSU Extension Gamebird Program by: • Assisting with capture, banding, and GPS marking of waterfowl (primarily mallards) and other gamebirds • Maintaining field equipment (e.g., rocket nets, cameras, telemetry receivers) • Managing GPS tracking data and assisting with database organization • Participating in field days, landowner workshops, and Extension events • Developing and distributing educational content (e.g., social media posts, podcasts, videos) • Supporting applied research efforts and outreach products (e.g., management guides, newsletters) • Communicating with agency partners, private landowners, and the hunting community • Occasionally supervising part-time or seasonal staff and volunteers Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Biology, Forestry, Ecology, Natural Resources, or a closely related field • Valid U.S. driver’s license Rank and salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Preferred Qualifications: • M.S. degree in wildlife, conservation, or a related discipline • Experience capturing, handling, or marking wild birds (e.g., waterfowl or gamebirds) • Experience with field data collection and natural resource outreach Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: • Strong organizational and project management skills • Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse partners • Ability and willingness to travel in state • Knowledge of conservation delivery programs or farm bill practices • Familiarity with GPS telemetry equipment, data processing, or R/GIS workflows • Experience developing social media or educational content (e.g., video, photo, graphics) • Experience working independently and as part of a collaborative team • Ability to work in flooded or remote field conditions • Knowledge of applied conservation, hunting traditions, and private lands outreach • Ability to communicate with and educate a range of stakeholders, including landowners, producers, and agency personnel. Working Conditions and Physical Effort This position requires regular fieldwork in challenging outdoor environments including wetlands and agricultural fields. Candidates must be willing to work in wetland and agricultural landscapes, under varied weather conditions, and on irregular schedules (including early mornings, evenings, and weekends). Overnight travel is expected during peak field seasons. Physical effort, including lifting heavy equipment and long hours in waders, will be required. Travel throughout Mississippi and occasional overnight stays are expected. The position may include some weekend or evening work, particularly during the peak field season (fall and winter months). Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., with one often to the point of being objectionable. Injuries may require professional treatment. Job frequently requires standing, walking, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 25 pounds. Job occasionally requires sitting, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/ crawling, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically, ability to distinguish colors. Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one’s control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; may involve conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis. Instructions for Applying: Link to apply: Applications must be completed online at www.jobs.msstate.edu (PARF# 510044) and must include: 1) cover letter, 2) resume or Curriculum Vitae, and 3) academic transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the screening process, but official are required if an offer is made. Applicant should redact their social security number if it appears on their academic transcript prior to submission. For additional information please e-mail: [email protected] Screening Date: January 2, 2026, until filled. Restricted Clause: Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839. What do I do if I need an accommodation? In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired. Apply tot his job