Avian Point Count Technician

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science, in partnership with the USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station, is recruiting talented individuals for ONE (1) position to study the effects of fire and climate on forests and wildlife in the Sierra Nevada. The field research entails sampling in forested stands at designated sites varying in fire history and severity, stand age, and biophysical setting at various locations in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Field research will entail point count surveys in forest and wetland sites and deployment/retrieval of audio recorders. The field team will be responsible for upholding best practices for field safety and for maintaining fidelity to methods for data collection. Successful candidates will have experience identifying western birds by ear and conducting point counts and vegetation surveys in similar habitats. Participation in this field work will provide exposure to science-based approaches to land management.

Qualified and interested technicians may have the opportunity to extend their appointment to include forestry and botanical data collection.

Location
All field work will be conducted in the Lake Tahoe basin. The USFS intends to provide shared housing with other field technicians as a base of operations. Housing will be within the Lake Tahoe basin, and briefly at the Pacific Southwest Research Station in Placerville, CA during an initial training period. If we are unable to secure housing within the Lake Tahoe basin, we will provide a housing stipend.

Timeline

• Duration: 7-8-week appointment starting in mid-May 2026
• Weekly schedule: generally five 8-hour days (40/week); occasional overtime (paid at 1.5x regular wage) may be required

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management or allied discipline
• Ability to identify western North American birds by sight and sound
• Experience in field work and following standardized field and data protocols
• Experience conducting data entry and management
• Experience using topographic maps, compass, and GPS for field navigation
• Ability to work productively and cooperatively as part of a team focused on accomplishing project goals
• Strong organization skills
• Experience and ability to hike by foot in mountainous terrain for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools, and supplies Willingness and ability to camp for multiple consecutive nights as needed during field tours
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and
  maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads