NPS WNS Surveillance Technician

Bat Conservation International • Ashland, OR

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Bat Conservation International (BCI) is seeking four seasonal, hourly, non-exempt NPS WNS Surveillance Technicians to assist the National Park Service (NPS) Mojave Desert (MOJN) and Klamath (KLMN) Inventory and Monitoring Networks with spring white-nose syndrome (WNS) surveillance. Two of these technicians will then relocate to Lava Beds National Monument (LABE) to assist with bat roost and cave monitoring during the summer months. The role involves extensive fieldwork, including camping, capturing bats, collecting biological samples, conducting acoustic surveys, and caving. Work schedules are varied and may include evenings and weekends, with individual trips ranging from 2 to 8 days. Fieldwork will be conducted in project vehicles, and spring surveillance involves camping, from primitive to front country with amenities. Summer fieldwork includes caving, occasional overnight backpacking, and acoustic surveys.

Requirements

• At least one season of prior bat handling experience, including removing bats from mist-nets and collecting biometric data (age, sex, weight, etc).
• Experience implementing decontamination procedures for WNS surveillance.
• Ability to move and/or carry heavy equipment (up to 50 lbs.) and hike long distances with a heavy backpack through varied terrain.
• Experience conducting fieldwork in extreme conditions.
• Possession of a valid state driver’s license and meet Bat Conservation International’s driving and safety standards (motor vehicle record check required).
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and a self-starter.
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptive.
• Comfortable working outdoors.

Nice To Haves

• Experience identifying western bat species.
• Experience swabbing bats for WNS detection.
• Experience using acoustic monitoring equipment and/or software.
• Caving and/or climbing skills.
• Experience driving 4WD or AWD vehicles on primitive roads.
• Current rabies pre-exposure vaccination status (Titer check record within last 2 years).
• Wilderness travel and camping skills.
• Wilderness first aid training.

Responsibilities

• Assist the National Park Service (NPS) Mojave Desert (MOJN) and Klamath (KLMN) Inventory and Monitoring Networks with spring white-nose syndrome (WNS) surveillance.
• Travel to Lava Beds National Monument (LABE) to assist with bat roost and cave monitoring.
• Capture bats using mist-nets, H-nets, funnel traps, and other methods.
• Identify bats to species.
• Collect skin swabs and guano samples.
• Conduct emergence counts and roost checks.
• Perform nighttime mobile and stationary acoustic surveys according to NA bat protocol.
• Conduct in-cave presence/absence surveys.
• Perform emergence counts at cave entrances.
• Spend a majority of the LABE field season caving.
• Undertake occasional overnight backpacking trips into the backcountry for emergence counts at remote sites.

Benefits

• Accrued sick time
• Option for 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Discount program for professional equipment
• Reimbursement for meals up to $40/night when traveling away from base location
• Campsite provided at Lake Mead National Recreation Area during days off for MOJN fieldwork
• Travel costs covered for relocation between spring and summer work locations

What This Job Offers

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