AmeriCorps California Condor Monitoring Technician (Yurok Tribe, Orick, CA)

The Great Basin Institute•Orick, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute Research Associate Program, in cooperation with the Yurok Tribe, is recruiting two California Condor Monitoring Technicians for the Northern California Condor Restoration Program (NCCRP). Technicians conduct population monitoring and management activities for California condors in northern California and the broader region. This primarily field-based role contributes to the reintroduction and management of condors in northern California. Daily duties vary according to the needs of the flock and the season. Technicians report to the NCCRP Lead Field Biologist for day-to-day duties and technical training, with program oversight from the NCCRP Manager and administrative support from the GBI Research Associate Program Coordinator. The Yurok Tribe initiated the NCCRP in 2008 as a collaborative, multiagency conservation partnership to restore condors to Yurok ancestral territory. The program works with Redwood National and State Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners. Work takes place within Yurok Ancestral Territory and on lands managed by Redwood National and State Parks. The position is based near Orick, California, in a region of rainforests and coastline that receives substantial precipitation, particularly from October through April. Work is mostly independent; some tasks require nighttime hours. Volunteers must take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day, which does not count toward service hours for the education award. The position is a 1,200-hour AmeriCorps term beginning in January 2027 and lasting approximately 41 weeks. The schedule is typically four days on and three days off, with a minimum of 32 hours per week; hours may vary within a pay period according to management needs. Housing is provided at no additional cost. Compensation includes an approximately $510.66 biweekly living allowance before taxes and a $5,176.50 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the term. Benefits include company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, $25,000 basic life and AD&D insurance, access to Pro Deals, and eligibility for SNAP benefits, student-loan forbearance, and loan-interest accrual repayment.

Requirements

Open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents age 17 or older; AmeriCorps eligibility requires U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.
Possess a valid driver's license and a clean driving record.
Ability to work safely during the day or night, independently and as part of a team.
Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day in challenging weather and terrain.
Ability to move objects weighing more than 50 pounds, including carcasses in varying states of decay.
Comfort with spending significant time in areas with large wild mammals, such as black bears and mountain lions.
Experience communicating professionally, orally and in writing, with diverse project stakeholders and the public.
Experience using equipment such as binoculars, GPS units, or tablets.
Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements, including eligibility to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to the equivalent of two full-time education awards), passing the National Sex Offender Public Website name search and federal criminal background check, following the Member Service Agreement, and avoiding prohibited activities listed in that agreement.
Successfully complete the required background check; offers are also contingent on two to three acceptable professional references and a completed I-9.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
Experience with wildlife monitoring, especially condors or raptors.
Experience working in remote or challenging field conditions.
Experience working with or for tribal organizations or people.
Members of a federally or state recognized Tribe or Indigenous community are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Track and monitor condors using radio, satellite telemetry, and visual observations.
Observe and record captive and released birds’ activity, behavior, health, and metrics.
Navigate remote locations and challenging terrain on foot and in four-wheel-drive vehicles using GPS units, a compass, and maps.
Handle domestic and wild animal carcasses, including calves, goats, pigs, and deer, for use as condor food resources.
Maintain the bird enclosure, facilities, vehicles, and equipment.
Follow Yurok Tribe, NCCRP, Redwood National and State Parks, Great Basin Institute, and AmeriCorps policies and procedures.
Respond to poaching events to help prevent condors and other scavenger species from ingesting lead.
Participate in community outreach and education events.
Assist with condor trapping and handling.
Communicate and share information professionally with private landowners, the general public, and representatives of collaborating organizations.
Perform other related duties as negotiated to meet organizational needs.

Benefits

Company-paid comprehensive medical insurance.
Dental insurance, with an option to upgrade coverage.
Vision insurance.
$25,000 basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost.
Access to Pro Deals.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits.
Student-loan forbearance during the AmeriCorps term, for eligible federal student loans.
Eligibility for repayment of accrued interest on qualified student loans, subject to program requirements and successful term completion.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of the 1,200-hour term.
Housing provided at no additional cost.
Approximately $510.66 biweekly living allowance before taxes.