Wildlife Biologist

Whitetail Environmental is seeking applicants for a full-time Wildlife Biologist to work on a contract in support of the Wildlife Program at the U.S. Army’s Yakima Training Center, an active military training facility that provides versatile training support and services to enable Joint Force readiness. Its area comprises one of the largest parcels of shrub-steppe ecosystem (327,000 acres) remaining in Washington State, representing a critical area for the conservation of biodiversity.

This position is primarily office-based (75%), with a smaller field component (25%). The work is variable and may include both early mornings and late nights depending on Wildlife Program priorities (e.g., sunrise lek counts and evening burrowing owl trapping).

Scope of Work

Faunal Planning Level Survey (PLS) Support

• Conduct PLS of status invertebrate species (bumble bees, monarch butterfly) and mammals (rodents, ground squirrels, jackrabbits) using established protocols and standard methods (may include trapping, handling, marking, telemetry, remote cameras).
• Support in updating individual management plans included in the installation’s Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan.

Natural Resource Program Support

• Monitor shrub-steppe and riparian vegetation communities to determine site condition and health.
• Assess wildland-fire impacts on vegetation communities.
• Monitor quality of surface water and track changes through time.
• Assess success of habitat restoration treatments of sagebrush, native grass, and forb seedings and plugs.
• Collect and distribute native seeds using basic native seed collection protocols and provide support to YTC plant propagation program (i.e., greenhouse operations).
• Provide support in conducting comprehensive watershed assessments.
• Provide support to small and big game hunting program on YTC.

Sage-Grouse Management Support

• Conduct lek monitoring and lek searches using established protocols.
• Deploy mosquito traps for West Nile virus surveillance program.
• Assist in raven removal project.

Rare/Sensitive Plant Program Support

• Implement Rare and Sensitive Plant Management Programs by inventorying new areas, monitoring known populations, and surveying proposed project areas.
• Mapping rare plant populations and assessing habitat quality for rare plants.

Threatened/Endangered Fish Program Support

• Conduct fish inventories and assess habitat quality/conditions of fish-bearing streams.
• Conduct monitoring of stream temperatures and other bio-indicators (i.e., aquatic insects).

Migratory Bird Treaty Act Program Support

• Monitor known raptor/raven populations and nest success using established protocols and standard methods (e.g., point counts, distance sampling).
• Deploy and maintain remote camera trapping for burrowing owls.
• Banding and handling birds.

Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Required:

• A master’s degree in biology, ecology, wildlife management, or other closely related natural resource field, OR
• An undergraduate degree in biology, ecology, wildlife management, botany, or other closely related natural resource field AND a minimum of 1 year’s experience conducting research and monitoring on wildlife species including the following skill sets:
• Developing study designs to investigate wildlife-habitat relations and/or population demographics
• Analyzing data in Rstudio from marked individuals (e.g., PIT tags, VHF radios) using advanced biostatistics
• Technical writing, including peer-reviewed publication, grant proposals, annual reports, and management plans
• Using ArcGIS Pro to make maps, manage spatial datasets, and run analyses
• Preparation of briefing materials, presentations, and conducting public outreach events to a variety of audiences (e.g., installation staff, federal/state agencies, professional organizations, and the public).
• Must be able to drive 4×4 vehicles on very rocky, unimproved roads.
• Must show the ability to work alone in a variety of conditions, including rain and extreme heat or cold, and be comfortable working on an active Army training facility.

Preferred:

• Knowledge, experience, and fluency with the shrub-steppe ecosystem, including biological monitoring, wildlife-habitat requirements, and standard field methods for vegetative and wildlife surveys.
• Identification of native plants using dichotomous keys (i.e., Flora or the Pacific Northwest); knowledge of rare shrub-steppe plant species and riparian plant species.

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Department of Army background investigation
• Must have U.S. citizenship
• Must be able to pass Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)

Direct Reports: No supervisory role

Travel: as may be required within the CONUS, to attend meetings, conferences, and other events.

Whitetail Environmental is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability and/or protected veteran status in accordance with governing laws.