Wildlife Biologist

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE•South Lake Tahoe, CA

2d•$32 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

This position is equivalent to the USFS professional wildlife biologist at the GS-09 level. Wildlife Biologist will split their time between two major duties: Wildlife Crew Supervision and Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) wildlife specialist. Wildlife Crew Supervision could include all duties related to wildlife crew work including but not limited to: Hiring and training crew; Planning surveys; Coordinating resources including vehicles and equipment; Planning purchases, weekly safety reviews, daily crew schedules; Conducting field surveys; Coordinating with other crews and non-Forest Service consultants and partners; Care of bait mice; Creating or updating GIS based maps and data sheets; Data entry and reports. The amount of time spent in the field will be partially determined by the incumbent and partially dependent on other assignments. Planned 2026 surveys include (in rough order of anticipated effort): California spotted owl passive acoustic surveys, nest checks, and reproductive surveys American goshawk surveys and nest checks Butterfly surveys Willow flycatcher surveys Carnivore camera surveys Bat acoustic surveys Willow mapping Bald eagle nest checks Sandhill crane surveys Peregrine falcon surveys Field season planning is ongoing. Anticipated effort and surveys included are subject to change. IDT wildlife specialist duties could include, but not limited to: Providing technical advice for project implementation and preparing environmental analysis reports for project planning; Gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs; Assessing habitat quality and quantity; Interpreting biological requirements for ESA listed species, Forest Service sensitive species, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency threshold species, and migratory birds, for a variety of forest projects. Reports would be reviewed by a journey-level biologist.

Requirements

Experience with GIS – ArcPro and AGOL
Skills in GPS and map and compass
Familiarity with NEPA
Experience with installing ARUs and analyzing data
Strong work ethic
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on paved and dirt roads
Experience with a variety of wildlife survey techniques, especially those listed above
Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, including nighttime surveys and possibly including some weekends and holidays

Responsibilities

Wildlife Crew Supervision
Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) wildlife specialist
Hiring and training crew
Planning surveys
Coordinating resources including vehicles and equipment
Planning purchases, weekly safety reviews, daily crew schedules
Conducting field surveys
Coordinating with other crews and non-Forest Service consultants and partners
Care of bait mice
Creating or updating GIS based maps and data sheets
Data entry and reports
Providing technical advice for project implementation and preparing environmental analysis reports for project planning
Gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs
Assessing habitat quality and quantity
Interpreting biological requirements for ESA listed species, Forest Service sensitive species, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency threshold species, and migratory birds, for a variety of forest projects