Description

External Retirement Plan TRS Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
M-F
Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date 09/09/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 10/01/2025 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([email protected]).
USG Core Values Statement
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Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title Statistical Assistant I FLSA Non-Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications Position Summary
The Maerz Lab (http://www.maerzlab.com) at the University of Georgia is hiring a full-time two-year Master's level position to work on a Georgia Department of Transportation grant focusing on best practices and decision-making tools for wildlife crossing and safety considerations. The project consists of a robust, multi-tiered approach that integrates Wildlife Vehicle Collision (WVC) reduction and ecological connectivity into project planning, development and construction. The project is a collaborative effort between the University of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The project will focus on the development of strategies and guidance specifically for the state of Georgia. The research professional will work under the direct supervision of PI Dr. John Maerz (https://www.maerzlab.com/john-maerz-bio) and Co-PI Dr. Nate Nibbelink. The applicant will support all aspects of the project but will have a specific emphasis on working with Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other stakeholders to identify and acquire relevant data sources, developing analysis of vulnerabilities for Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan, working on the creation of a tool for spatially prioritizing actions to improve connectivity and reduce road mortality risk for priority species, and collaborating on the development of monitoring designs including the potential for integration of AI tools for evaluating the effectiveness of road projects. The nature of this work will be local and primarily office based.

This position has a limited term appointment term which is expected to end 2 years after start date. The position may be extended beyond the initial term, contingent upon continued funding.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
Ideally, the applicant will have prior experience with working with state and federal agencies, be familiar with Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan, have experience with wildlife management and decision making or adaptive management, have experience with wildlife monitoring techniques, have experience using GIS applications to wildlife sciences and management, and have experience working in, coding, and analyzing data in environments including R and GitHub.
Physical Demands

• Most work will be office based with minimal field visits for groundtruthing culverts.
• Driving to perform job-related tasks

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

• Time performing computer-based work including logistics coordination and data management.
• Logistics coordination will include working with collaborators (i.e. GDOT, GA DNR, The Orianne Society) to collect agency data needed for a Wildlife Vehicle Collision (WVC) Hotspot Analysis, which will include the development of a WVC Hotspot Tool.
• Data management will include the management of the data collected from partner agencies and will include working on an aquatic connectivity analysis, and a conservation corridor analysis where priority species will be identified by working closely with GA DNR and their State Wildlife Action Plan; and a species survival scoring criteria will be developed.

Percentage of time 80 Duties/Responsibilities

• Time in Field - individual will spend time groundtruthing sites throughout Georgia to visit culverts and verify that their location and attributes are correctly described.

Percentage of time 20

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Vanessa Terrell Recruitment Contact Email [email protected] Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a valid Driver's license?
   • YES
   • NO

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV

Optional Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Unofficial Letters of Recommendation