Wildlife Team member
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service, is seeking Three Wildlife Team Members to contribute to the Wildlife project alongside the Tahoe National Forest, American River District Staff.
This opportunity is intended for an experienced, enthusiastic professional, with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation. For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: 04/03/2023
Estimated End Date: 09/01/2023*a 22-week minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description: American River Ranger District - Foresthill, CA
The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land. A number of ecosystems occur in the Sierra as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.
Foresthill is a small town of about 1,200 people with a few amenities including a small grocery store and a few restaurants. Auburn is about 20 minutes away, and contains a great deal more, including chain stores and movie theaters. It is about 1 hour from Sacramento and less than 3 hours from San Francisco. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation, including excellent hiking, white-water rafting, swimming, bicycling, backpacking, fishing, and boating.
For more information about the Tahoe National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe/
Position Overview: Wildlife Team Members will perform extensive field work. Field work will mainly consist of conducting surveys for the California spotted owl and northern goshawk using standardized protocols. The field work schedule will vary and will include early morning, daytime, and night surveys. Wildlife Team Members should be prepared for working at night and for hiking over steep, arduous terrain in hot weather for long periods of the day. Individuals will also work with wildlife and aquatics staff to conduct surveys for other species as opportunities arise. Applicants should have experience using standardized field surveys and data entry protocols. Team Members may also assist other program areas in order to support high-priority project needs and to acquire cross-training skills and appreciation of the complexity of land management in the Forest Service.
Project Objectives:
- Work safely in the field, and responsibly maintain equipment and vehicles.
- Work cooperatively and professionally with other team members and Forest Service personnel.
- Complete surveys to protocol and provide accurate and timely documentation. This position will require close coordination with the Forest Service wildlife biologist, but most duties will be performed independently, which at times will require the member to take initiative and problem solve.
- Support other projects and responsibilities as needed; the forest is dynamic and other duties may be required.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule: Typically 40 hours a week, Monday thru Friday, working in afternoons and evenings when conducting owl surveys, during the day for other surveys.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $760/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available in government barracks at a daily rate of approximately $10-20/day by the Forest. Housing assistance of up to $250/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.Training and discussion of methodology and safety, along with First Aid will be provided. Specific training the USFS may include; protocol and Survey training/refresher, Defensive Driving, Red Card Refresher (if candidate holds current Red Card), CPR/First Aid, Data Entry - NRIS Wildlife Database.
Qualifications
Applicants will hold (or be pursuing) a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with wildlife in the field. This is a highly demanding outdoor job that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for adverse weather and demanding conditions.
ACE Required:
- Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
- ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
USFS Required:
- Proven ability to be both self-directed and work as a team, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
- Experience hiking over remote, steep, and rocky terrain in adverse weather conditions
- Ability to work day or night including hiking, driving, and following survey protocols
- Ability to hike steep terrain in challenging field conditions (biting insects, poison oak, thick vegetation).
- Flexibility in switching between day and night survey work (maintaining appropriate work/rest ratio)
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals
- Willingness to learn.
Preferred:
- Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and maps Experience identifying raptors and other avian species is desirable
- Proficiency in data entry, summarizing and compiling data
- Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely on rough roads
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft products and experience and/or training in ArcMap, Avenza, or Survey 123.
- Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols
- Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of biological science sufficient to analyze findings
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Celia Demers at cdemers@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.