Individual Placement-Alaska- Fish and Wildlife Technician

Student Conservation Association • Hoonah, AK

2h • Onsite

About The Position

Placement will be hosted in the Hoonah Ranger District on the Tongass National
Forest based in the city of Hoonah Ak. Primary duties will consist of working
directly with the district’s biologist on a daily basis.

You will learn to perform various surveys of aquatic and terrestrial habitat
following set protocols. You will have the opportunity to work with the tribal
environmental crews performing restoration projects and scientific surveys.

This position is primarily field going with duties involving working in
inclement weather bugs and in brown bear habitats. Work can be very physically
demanding examples are off trail hiking in heavy brush.

Carrying 40 + pounds for distances of a few miles in steep terrain. Working in
water and rain with low daily temperatures around 60 degrees. Working in a
remote native community without connections via roads to the outside world. Working around firearms is required but you will not be required to operate
firearms.

Hoonah Alaska is a Tlingit village of 800 people located 30 miles from the state
capital of Juneau ak. We have a small airport and a ferry terminal there is no
road connection. Chichagof island on which Hoonah is located on the northeastern
shore of port Fredrick, a large embayment on the east side of the island.

Food is expensive and options are limited Cell service is only available in
town. Thers is internet and restaurants. We do receive cruise ships at the north
end of town with around 500,000 visitors a year, this is Hoonah’s largest
industry. There is a small boat Harbor and commercial fishing and forest work
makes up the rest of the economy.

We have a very high number of bears on the island they are always around even in
the city limits. Hoonah is connected to about 130 miles of gravel logging roads
accessing about 30 percent of the island. Fishing, hiking, & boating are the
main activities in the summer season. It rains a lot it is possible to have
periods of rain lasting one week.

The average summer temperature is around 60 degrees although days of 80 degrees
are common. There are also bugs mosquitoes and biting flies that can be intense
at times.

Requirements

• Incumbents should be an “outdoorsy” person with some experience of working outside and recreating outside.
• Pursing education in the field of natural resources is a plus.
• Must be physically fit and have some mental fortitude to work in unpleasant environmental conditions in remote places without all the modern convivences.
• This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Nice To Haves

• Incumbents should be open to new experiences and cultures easy going and flexible.
• We are looking for someone who is driven in the field of natural resource management.
• Applicants should enjoy hard physical work, enjoy being outside in the woods and be able to cope with adverse conditions.
• Experience with computers and mobile devices especially the programs ARCGIS, Survey 123 Field Maps and Avenza is a plus. However, this is an entry level position and life experience, and individuals’ personality is also a large portion of the consideration.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with field investigations of fisheries and wildlife habitats.
• Completing surveys of forest conditions post logging harvest.
• Completing culvert surveys and stream restoration projects.
• Learning about the area and natural functions of the temperate rainforest.
• Being a team member in large crew situations as we work closely with our tribal partners. Being a flexible self-starting individual that conducts themselves in a professional manner on and off duty.
• Engaging in the local community through formal events such as our Kids fishing derby or other opportunities.
• Assists with other project work for the district. These are varied and include timber production, possibility of firefighting training, sawyer training, boat operations, and working in a remote field camp.

Benefits

• $450/week living allowance
• $1500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend
• $2000 duty-related reimbursements ($500 for PPE; $1500 for duty-related in-season travel)
• Bear Safety
• Living Accommodations: This position will be provided with a room in our bunkhouse in Hoonah. The room is the size of a dorm room has two twin beds and a desk with a window and closets. The bathrooms are shared with normal facilities provided. Kitchen and common areas are shared and stocked with utensils cookware tv,vcr, books and the like. Internet is provided via star link at no charge or limits on data. Cellular service is decent at the location with at& T being the best carrier and frankly the only carrier. Linens and pillows are provided but the person should bring toiletries. Laundry is on sight with two shared washers and dryers. We try our best to not double up the rooms, especially for our longer-term guests. However, the possibility of a roommate does exist especially during busier periods. We will provide fair warning if this becomes a reality.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed