Level 1 Biology Technician

Felidae Conservation Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to the research and protection of wild cats worldwide. Our innovative research projects, like the Bay Area Puma Project (BAPP), explore the challenges faced by pumas and bobcats in urban environments. We also engage local communities through education and outreach efforts to promote wild cat conservation.

Position Summary:
We are seeking a Level 1 full-time contract biology technician to help lead BAPP’s fieldwork and data collection activities. The position involves field work, managing volunteers, conducting outreach, and helping with data to support conservation initiatives. The technician will work independently and as part of a small, passionate team based in the Bay Area, with a mix of fieldwork, remote work, and office tasks. Our office is based in Mill Valley.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead fieldwork across the Bay Area (Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, East Bay counties) to set up and maintain camera traps and assist with puma and bobcat fecal surveys
• Onboard and train new volunteers for fieldwork, data entry, and social media tasks
• regularly maintain communication with volunteers and staff (via Slack, email)
• Help summarize data for grant/permit reports and applications
• Build and maintain relationships with landowners and strategic partners
• Respond to public inquiries on mountain lions, bobcats, and human-wildlife conflicts
• Contribute to outreach efforts, including public presentations, social media, and website content
• Manage our public-facing sightings map submissions and interfacing with the public

Qualifications:

• BSc in wildlife science or related field (e.g. zoology, ecology, environmental science, etc.)
• Previous field experience collecting ecological data
• Strong communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with camera traps
• Knowledge of SF Bay Area wildlife species and ecosystems
• Familiarity with data management tools, including ArcGIS, QGIS, R, or similar platforms
• Interest in contributing to scientific manuscripts and literature reviews

Additional Information:

• Salary is commensurate with experience
• Must be based in the SF Bay Area with access to reliable transportation (a vehicle is required for fieldwork)
• US residency and a valid CA driver’s license are required