Wildlife Biologist

Status: Potential to become a Full-time year-round position

Reports to: Head Biologist and Forest Operations Manager

Location: Office is in Fort Bragg, CA. Wildlife work will occur throughout the coastal ranges of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties.

Start Date: 2/19/2024

Purpose: The technician will primarily assist with Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) surveys throughout the property in addition to other areas in Northwestern California for 6 months from March 1st through August 31st. There will be an opportunity to transition into a permanent full time position if candidate is interested in other forestry and restoration activities after the 6-month assignment is complete.

About the Organization:

The Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. (RFFI) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization currently located in Fort Bragg, CA. RFFI’s Usal Redwood Forest is the largest community forest in the United States. RFFI’s mission is to acquire, protect, restore and manage forestlands and other related resources in the Redwood Region for the long-term benefit of the communities located there. Our vision is to establish community-based forests that provide both critical habitat for increased biodiversity and improved regional economic vitality.

Since 2007, RFFI has owned and managed the 49,636 acre Usal Redwood Forest, which is located in the Coastal Redwood Region of Mendocino County, California. This 78 sq. mi. property includes portions of two important watersheds: the majority of the Usal Creek drainage and significant tributaries of the South Fork of the Eel River.

The area was once a thriving ancient redwood and Douglas-fir forest. Within its borders are more than eighteen creeks and tributaries, many of them historically important and currently crucial spawning and rearing habitat for federally listed salmon and steelhead. The forest also contains numerous activity centers of the threatened Northern Spotted Owl.

Commercially logged for its valuable redwood and Douglas-fir resources from the early 1900’s up to the 1990s, the Usal Forest is now dominated by second-growth Douglas fir, redwood and tan oak.

Position Overview:

This position provides an opportunity to work for one of the nation’s unique non-profit forest conservation organization in the beautiful coastal ranges of Mendocino and Sonoma counties. RFFI’s Usal property is located in the northwestern corner of Mendocino county between the lost coast and the Eel river. This position will require conducting Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) surveys from March 1st through August 31st. Surveys will be conducted on the Usal property in addition to other properties throughout the redwood forests of the coastal ranges of northwestern California. Surveys for other wildlife species will also occur during this time frame, including but not limited to; Marbled Murrelets, Osprey, Fisher, Songbirds etc…

Duties include conducting nocturnal surveys for NSO’s using digital wildlife callers, assisting head biologist with capturing and banding NSO, conducting NSO reproductive status monitoring surveys and observing and recording color-band information of NSO’s often alone in remote locations without access to communications infrastructure (cell phones, radios and CB’s), taking detailed notes, filling out data forms, entering survey data into various database programs on computers or field devices. Work duties will require hiking over steep and rugged terrain, orienteering with map, compass and GPS units, working independently while following detailed instructions, prioritizing workloads with varying and changing field conditions. Successful applicants will have experience conducting NSO surveys, working alone in remote areas often without contact to fellow employees, operating and maintaining 4×4 vehicles and ATV’s at night on rugged unimproved dirt roads in addition to operating chainsaws and a variety of other field equipment. Successful applicants will also have good computer skills, able to work in harsh weather conditions; be physically fit and able to meet the rigorous demands of field work in steep, rugged terrain, able to adapt to a flexible day/night and nighttime work schedule, willing to work overtime, weekends and/or holidays. The applicant must have excellent communication skills (written and oral); able to accurately collect and record field data; and be able to work cooperatively with others, and also capable of working independently with little daily supervision.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Forestry or an equivalent degree preferred but not required with adequate experience.
• A minimum of two years’ field experience is required; candidates with prior experience with spotted owl surveys and/or other nighttime surveys will be given preference.
• Must be able to identify spotted owls and all other California owls by sight and/or sound, including the ability to differentiate between spotted owls and barred owls.
• Experience with understanding of navigational techniques including topographic maps, compass, and PLSS systems is required in addition to experience with various GPS units and apps.
• Adhering to RFFI safety protocols and conducting duties while being safety conscious.
• A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• The ability to work independently, have a sense of humor, problem solving abilities, hiking over rugged and steep terrain.

Physical Requirements

• Be physically fit and able to meet the rigorous demands of field work in steep, rugged terrain
• Able to adapt to a flexible day/night and nighttime work schedule, especially when bad weather precludes survey work, and willing to work overtime, weekends and/or holidays
• The ability to hear and see and differentiate between nocturnal species during NSO surveys
• The ability to determine color-band combinations on NSO
• The ability to operate 4×4 vehicles and ATV’s on unimproved or poorly maintained roads, sometimes removing various road obstructions at night.
• Comfortable with encountering various wildlife species including; Mountain Lion, Bear, Feral Hogs etc…