Carnivore Monitoring Crew Member

Carnivore Monitoring Crew Member  

Oregon State University and U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Carnivore Monitoring Program 

Description: 

The Region 5 Carnivore Monitoring Program has been monitoring fisher and marten populations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains annually since 2002. The fisher population was recently listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and assessing their population and its response to recent tree mortality is a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) priority. Broad-scale monitoring will help identify how tree mortality and subsequent extreme fires are influencing fisher occupancy, density, habitat use, diet and connectivity across the southern Sierras. This information can be used to better understand how fishers are adapting to this changed landscape and guide management to promote continued population persistence while also addressing the need to reduce fuel loads to prevent catastrophic wildfires. USFS will work closely with Oregon State University (OSU) to accomplish these goals. 

There are seven crew-level positions available and all technicians will be hired through Oregon State University’s Institute for Natural Resources. Crews will receive instruction, guidance and training from crew leaders and the Field Coordinator. Crew members will focus primarily on installing and servicing monitoring stations that include deploying remotely-triggered cameras, hair snare devices, and track plate boxes. Crew members are expected to conduct accurate data collection according to the field protocol, and process data if time allows. Crew members will learn to identify common Sierra Nevada species by photo and track.  Crew members will work throughout the season in pairs but may on occasion work independently. 

These physically demanding duties, primarily in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to California’s backcountry. These positions require extensive driving on both paved and unpaved roads in rugged terrain using 4-wheel drive, and off-trail hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (3,000-10,000 ft.) on a daily basis. This position requires a high level of physical fitness (capable of hiking 5-15 miles off-trail/day) and ability to cope with strenuous field conditions that include hot temperatures, steep terrain, dense vegetation, poison oak, inclement weather, and insects. Many crew members describe this as the most difficult field work they have conducted.  

Overnight camping will be required for 3 nights/week for most of the field season as many survey locations are long distances from the crew office/housing. Thus, crew members will be camping for most of the field season in both campgrounds and dispersed camping sites. Crew leaders and the Field Coordinator will provide information on potential camping sites. The project will also provide group gear, but sleeping bag, field clothes, and proper field boots (see compensation section for gear stipend) must be provided by field technicians. The field crew will receive field per diem for overnight travel days to buy food or other items needed. When not camping for work and on days off, housing will be provided near Shaver Lake, California or Oakhurst, California.  

Location and Project Description: 

Work will occur on the Sierra, Sequoia, Stanislaus, and Inyo National Forests: The field crew will be based near the Sierra National Forest, likely in the towns of Shaver Lake or Oakhurst, CA. Housing is provided. There is potential to be temporarily stationed at alternative locations for 2-4 weeks at a time to be closer to field sites.  

Duties may include, but are not limited to: 

• Hike and navigate off trail in rugged field conditions to install and check monitoring stations including trail cameras, track plates, and genetic sampling devices.
• Download, sort, and identify species in trail camera photos and identify species based on tracks collected on track plates.
• Inventory and archive all field data including genetic samples, track sheets, and trail camera photos.
• Conduct field data entry, proofing and summarization using tablets and laptop computers.

Duration:   

• Early June – early November 2024
• The timing of these positions is tentative and may be impacted by weather and/or government funding. Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions.
• Crew members are expected to serve full time, minimum 40 hours per week with some limited overtime, i.e., 11-12 hour days can occur throughout the season.

Compensation:  

• Wage: $18/ hour with the possibility of limited overtime with supervisor approval
• Pay period cycle is monthly
• Basic crew housing is provided free of charge when not camping for work and on days off. It is not mandatory to use crew housing, but locating housing options near the work site is generally difficult (rent averages >$900/room/month in the nearby area).
• Camping per diem provided to cover cost of food and other items needed while camping for work.
• Gear stipend: $200/person maximum
• Wilderness First Aid training and certificate
• Four paid days off per season

Qualifications: 

Oregon State University’s Minimum/Required Qualifications: 

• Two years of college-level courses in (biology, ecology, environmental sciences, natural resources, or a similar subject); OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Selected candidates must possess a valid driver license with an acceptable driving record (see OSU’s requirements here: https://transportation.oregonstate.edu/motorpool/policies);
• Selected candidates must be compliant with OSU’s COVID-19 vaccination program (see requirements here: https://covid.oregonstate.edu/vaccination-program-requirement)

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relating to biology, ecology, environmental sciences, natural resources, or a similar subject;
• Familiarity with, and interest in, resource management issues of western states and the ecology of the Sierra Nevada ecoregion;
• Previous experience in wildlife-related fieldwork preferred;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Experience collecting and maintaining field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff;
• Ability to operate 4WD vehicles on rocky, loose, rutted, hilly, and narrow forest roads
• Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps and compass;
• Experience navigating and collecting spatial data with hand-held GPS units;
• Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office setting, and enforce USFS and OSU housing standards;
• Physically fit to serve outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a densely forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons; should be comfortable passing a USFS pack test (hiking 3 miles in 45 minutes with a 45-pound pack). Expected to consistently hike between elevations of 4,000-8,000 ft, with some locations as high as 10,000 ft;
• Ability to work in inclement conditions that could include smoke (not to exceed OSU’s maximum particulate exposure), rain, cold, or snow;
• Willingness and ability to camp in remote, primitive sites for several consecutive days without cell phone service;
• Ability to begin work in early mornings (6 am); and
• Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of OSU and the goals and objectives of the USFS.

Additional Information: 

Sierra, Sequoia, Stanislaus, and Inyo National Forests: Covers approximately five million acres (20,230 km2) on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains between 2000 and 9500 ft in elevation. The biotic zones include foothill woodland (interior live oak), lower montane (Ponderosa pine), upper montane (lodgepole pine/red fir), subalpine (whitebark pine), and alpine. 

Visit the project website for more information. 

Health insurance is not provided for this position.  

EEO Statement: 

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.