Wildlife Field Technician – (1541)

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are looking for energetic and experienced Wildlife Field Technicians to help with our upcoming 2024 field season.

WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies and the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data. Since its founding in 1990, the WEST team has shaped the foundation of what we do, and what we believe in through our core values and key principles. Our work matters to our clients, communities, and the environment. Join WEST and discover a company of passionate, committed, and highly motivated individuals.

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

Key Details:

• Salary: $20 – $25/hour, DOE
• Number of positions available: 10
• Location: Albuquerque, NM; Las Cruces, NM
• Job Type: Temporary Full Time
• Tentative Start Date: May 15, 2024, or as needed
• Additional Details: This position consists of 95% fieldwork, and travel between the field and the Albuquerque, NM office. Fieldwork will require long days (up to 12 hours) with overnight stays in remote locations.

Job Description:
Primary duties may include:

• Nest monitoring;
• Pre-disturbance nest surveys;
• Other ecological surveys (e.g., wetland, soil, and vegetation assessments);
• Field data QAQC, processing, and demobilization;
• Data entry and management;
• Weekly timesheet and expense report completion;
• Support reporting as needed:  compiling tables and figures, report writing; and
• Office-based administrative assistance, as needed.

Fieldwork will require candidates to:

• Demonstrate strong bird identification skills in southern New Mexico desert, Pinon-Juniper scrubland, prairie, and Southwestern riparian habitats;
• Start survey work early in the morning (e.g., 3 AM) as needed;
• Work through weekends and holidays, as needed;
• Work long shifts, up to 6 days a week, as needed;
• Work overtime hours (i.e., more than 40 hours per week) while in the field, as needed;
• Work effectively either independently or in small crews;
• Demonstrate effective communication, organizational, and time management skills;
• Walk long distances (up to 20 km per day) in uneven or difficult terrain;
• Work in a range of environmental conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wind);
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating a four-wheel drive vehicle in off-road conditions;
• Work around/in hazards typical of rural environments (e.g., livestock, dust, mud, snow, extreme heat and cold);
• Work in snake, black bear, and cougar habitats;
• Work in areas with little to no cellphone signal, and utilize satellite and radio devices for regular communication as required by safety protocols;
• Demonstrate due care of field equipment, vehicles, and office equipment;
• Collect quality legible field data, and adhere to administrative processes pertaining to fieldwork, safety, and HR;
• Work well under time constraints and meet deliverable targets and deadlines; and
• Follow protocols and work efficiently.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all duties which may be associated with this position.

Requirements:

The following general requirements of the position must be met by all candidates:

• Legally allowed to work in the United States;
• Completed and received a relevant Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in ecology, zoology, environmental science or management, or other related discipline;
• Possession of a valid driver’s licence with no restrictions;
• Able to rent a vehicle from a rental agency (e.g., Enterprise);
• Maintain a driving record that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company;
• Able to pass a drug and alcohol test that meets the minimum criteria of WEST and our clients;
• High level of initiative and ability to think critically to solve challenging problems;
• Capable of adhering to all health and safety requirements, outlined by WEST and our clients, for the duration of their employment; and
• Have durable steel-toed boots and hiking boots with a minimum 6-inch ankle (waterproof highly recommended), and good quality binoculars (8×42 or 10×42). These pieces of field equipment will not be reimbursed by WEST.

Desired Skills:

• Experience conducting nest surveys and nest monitoring;
• Ability to identify >75% of bird species in New Mexico by sound and >90% by sight;
• Previous experience using tablet data collection systems;
• Previous experience leading field crews; and
• Previous experience completing the aforementioned survey types.

After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company.  A valid driver’s license will be required. 

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.