Wildlife Monitoring Technician (Susanville, CA)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the BLM, is recruiting a Wildlife Monitoring Technician to help address key management tasks related to multiple projects within the Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville, California. Through this opportunity, the successful applicant will be exposed to the operations of a federal land management agency charged with a multiple-use and sustainable-yield mission. The Technician will gain a greater understanding of how policy decisions are formulated, gain hands-on experience with natural resource monitoring protocols and field techniques, enhance skills related to data collection and behavioral observations, as well as actively participate in formal trainings. 

•Nesting raptor surveys 

•Greater sage grouse lek counts

•Bald eagle nest checks

•Habitat restoration and improvement projects

An outcome of these field exercises is providing BLM management with the necessary data to assess whether planned habitat improvement projects can move forward to the implementation phase. Upon completion of this position, the Wildlife Monitoring Technician will be better prepared to take on additional responsibility in fields related to rangeland management, wildlife biology, or public land management. Applicants seeking to apply for graduate school will have compelling experience and real-world knowledge to apply to their application. 

•25-week appointment beginning March 2023

•Full time (40 hours/week)

The BLM Eagle Lake Field Office is located in Susanville, California, in the vicinity of many outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, mountain biking, hiking/backpacking, kayaking, frisbee golf, and skiing/snowboarding. Susanville is located in northeastern California, with access to nearby national forests and the Sierra Nevada range to the south and Reno, NV 90 miles to the southeast.

•Total Living Allowance: $16,000 (Approximately $1,300 biweekly before taxes)

•Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,247.50 (Upon successful completion, the award may be used for past, present or future educational expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans and Title IV accredited college tuition.)

•Housing Stipend: up to $120/week

•Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost

•Bachelor’s degree or coursework and experience in biology (wildlife or conservation), ecology or a related field; 

•Field experience that included adhering to field data collection protocols and accurately recording field data;

•Office experience that included data entry and report writing;

•Knowledge of wildlife ecology and plant taxonomy including use of technical keys;

•Familiarity with wildlife species in the area; including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species;

•Ability to use a GPS unit for navigation and data collection;

•Experience using ArcGIS to create maps, analyze data, and organize layers preferred;

•Experience in habitat evaluation and collection of vegetation data preferred; and

•Experience in conducting avian surveys and nest monitoring preferred, particularly for gallinaceous species

•Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;

•Ability to safely drive a 4WD vehicle on unpaved roads that can be steep and rutted;

•Experience operating UTV’s preferred;

•Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; 

•Willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field;

•Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., pre-sunrise mornings, late nights past midnight);

•Ability to work productively, consistently and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; 

•Familiarity with backcountry, low-impact principles preferred; 

•Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record; and

•Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.