State Trapper

Job Title: State Trapper
Location: South/Central, Utah

Job Description:
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Predator Control Program is seeking a dedicated individual to assist livestock producers and wildlife biologists with predatory animal control. This role involves protecting animals and resources through direct control using best management practices. Responsibilities include verifying livestock losses, coordinating efficient and timely approved control methods, and planning with local livestock producers, wildlife biologists, private and federal contractors, and other private vendors. The successful candidate must reside within the designated geographic area or district for this position. The job requires physical activity such as walking, hiking, or jogging, and seasonal camping in remote areas for 2-4 nights a week. Employees may also serve as a gunner during specific seasons and participate as ground crew for aerial operations from November to May.

The Agency:
If you would like more information about working for the Department of Agriculture and Food please

Responsibilities

• Protect livestock and wildlife from predators by using firearms and traps.
• Knowledge of hunting and trapping predators.
• Actively hike, jog, and walk in outdoor terrains.
• Work with local livestock producers and wildlife biologists.
• Verify and confirm livestock and wildlife mortalities.
• Plan, coordinate, and strategize aerial operations with ground crews and producers.
• Communicate with cooperators regularly.
• Maintain and prepare equipment needed for work in the field and ensure they are safe and operable.
• Travel on foot, vehicle, ATV, or horse, to working areas and lift heavy objects.
• Maintain detailed records of inspections and investigations.
• Compile data and records electronically via computer or smartphone.
• Be responsible, respectful, and mindful. Be ethical, proficient, and effective. Establish positive working relationships with cooperators and others.
• Works with livestock.
• Understands livestock and wildlife behaviors in their natural settings.

Qualifications

Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

• Communicate, read and understand information and ideas presented verbally and in writing.
• Understand and communicate clearly to receive or help give instructions.
• Look for ways to willingly help and learn from other individuals.
• Providing high quality customer service.

• Identifying complex problems, and willing to adjust or change to help correct the problem.
• Monitoring your performance and the performance of the organizations you are working with.
• Quickly make adjustments or corrections to machinery, equipment, or tools.

• Identify or detect known patterns with equipment, tools, and animals.
• Knowledge of operating and basic or regular maintenance of ATVs, and off-road vehicles.
• Knowledge of plants and animals and understand their behaviors.
• Knowledge of applications and programming.
• Must have a knowledge of and be capable of using electronic equipment (GPS, smart phone, computer).

• Knowing your location in relation to the landscape and understanding terrain and weather.
• Judge the distances between you and an object or location by sight or hearing.
• Working in outdoor weather conditions and mountainous terrain.

• Risks found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations.
• Coordination between arms and legs.
• The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restricted areas.
• Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, control devices, and equipment.

• Managing your own time and valuing the time of others.
• Understand and follow laws and government regulations, and agency policies.

• Identify illnesses, stress, or causes of death in animals.
• Owns dogs bred for hunting predators.
• Actively maintains a high level of horsemanship.
• Knowledge and familiarity with handling and operating firearms proficiently and safely.
• Speak or understand the Spanish language.

Supplemental Information

• Exposure to adverse, inclement, and varying weather conditions
• Risks found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations, e.g. working at great heights, working in extreme outdoor weather conditions, being subject to possible physical attack, etc.
• The work requires considerable and strenuous physical exertion such as frequent climbing, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restricted areas, defending oneself and/or others against physical attack.
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA53-3-202(1)(a).
• Applicant will be tested on firearm safety and proficiency, and trapping knowledge and ability. After successfully passing the initial screening, the employee enters the NRA Basic Firearms Training, or other approved training by UDAF. The NRA Basic Firearms exam is 8 hours which includes written and field tests. Employment is determined based on the successful completion of the training.
• In order to perform the essential duties of this position, you must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms.