Wildlife Technician (CA Spotted Owl) – Eldorado NF

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest, is recruiting 9 Wildlife Technicians to support the study and review of proposed actions in portions of the Eldorado National Forest. Technicians will perform field surveys, collect data, and provide technical assistance to assess wildlife habitat for various species. Field work will consider federally listed species, candidate species, and those proposed for listing while assessing the ecosystems upon which they depend. This work is in furtherance of ESA goals that seek the best available scientific information to inform forest restoration planning.
Work will focus on applied management objectives for sensitive, threatened and endangered species. The majority of surveys will focus on CA Spotted-Owl but may include Northern Goshawk, Pacific Fisher, and Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog. This includes monitoring populations and surveying habitats used by these species to 1) support population data on specific species; and 2) ensure adequate protections are in place for areas undergoing vegetation management and restoration projects. Crew Members will gain exposure to USFS processes, procedures, compliance measures and reporting, and technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., archaeology, forestry, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. These positions support legally mandated compliance measures and obligations; some projects will help serve USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources.

Wildlife Technicians will perform a wide variety of activities to support all stages of project work. Crew Members will provide technical advice for wildlife management programs. This includes gathering, compiling and analyzing data. Duties may include: 

• Surveys for Spotted Owls (~70% of season);
• Broadcast acoustical surveys for Northern Goshawks;
• Nesting and reproductive status monitoring;
• Salamander surveys;
• Frog identification;
• Maintaining passive and baited camera stations;
• Setting up bat survey stations;
• Raising and breeding mice for CA Spotted-Owl surveys.

Contract Timeline:

• Tentatively: Mid April – Late September
• Projects are weather dependent, therefore start and end dates vary according to local conditions and individual project needs

Location: Eldorado National Forest (NF); Placerville and Pacific/Georgetown Ranger Districts Located in the central Sierra Nevada, the Eldorado NF is bordered on the east by the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, and by the Tahoe and Stanislaus NFs to the north and south, respectively. Eldorado NF offers an abundance of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, hiking, biking, skiing and climbing. The forest is home to much of the American River headwaters and the stunning Desolation Wilderness, and is in the heart of California’s historic Gold Country. People travel to Eldorado National Forest for its rich prospecting history, diversity of outdoor adventure and even beautiful vineyards.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week
• Health, dental, vision Insurance premiums covered 100% by GBI (equivalent to approximately $350/month); health, dental and vision insurance is available on the first day of the month following the start of employment
• Shared housing provided (equivalent to approximately $1000/month); housing stipend not provided if shared housing is denied by employee
• Camping per diem: $15/night as necessary (infrequent)
• Uniform Stipend

Job Qualifications:At least one of the following required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife, Ecology, Biology, Natural Resources or related subject with wildlife courses that demonstrate understanding of the principles of wildlife biology;
• Six months of professional fieldwork experience, strongly prefer experience with Spotted Owls;

Required:

• 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 read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps;
• Ability to live and work in rural and remote field and office setting;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons.

Preferred: 

• Experience in conducting surveys for Spotted-Owl and Northern Goshawk;
• Experience with camera trapping protocols;
• Familiarity with, and interest in, resource management issues of western states and the ecology of the Sierra Nevada ecoregion;
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff;
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth.