Wildlife Crew Lead (Tahoe National Forest)

Great Basin Institute•Truckee, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, is recruiting a wildlife crew lead to support planning and implementation of vegetation management projects on the Tahoe National Forest in the Sierra Nevada, California. The crew leader will be responsible for coordinating and supervising a small team of technicians (1-3 personnel) to ensure safe, efficient, and scientifically sound data collection in support of US Forest Service resource management objectives. The crew leader will oversee daily field operations, mentor and train crew members, and serve as the primary point of contact between the field crew and US Forest Service/GBI staff. The crew lead will provide technical advice and leadership for wildlife management programs including: Planning and leading of surveys for TES (threatened, endangered, and sensitive) wildlife species Gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs Ensuring data quality and integrity Assessing habitat quality and quantity Interpreting biological requirements for focal wildlife species and their habitat Inventorying and monitoring habitat populations. Surveys will occur for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife with a focus on California spotted owl, American goshawk, and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. Surveys may also occur for Lahontan cutthroat trout, bald eagle, sandhill crane, a variety of aquatic species, and forest carnivores, among other taxa. Frequent duties will include broadcast acoustical and reproductive (e.g., nesting and reproductive status) surveys for spotted owls, broadcast acoustical and reproductive surveys for goshawks, and survey and identification of aquatic species. Most spotted owl surveying will occur during evening or night hours, with the possibility of some early-morning surveys. The crew lead will gain exposure to US Forest Service processes, procedures, compliance measures and reporting, and technical experience. Opportunities to assist with other disciplines (e.g., archaeology, forestry, hydrology, range, etc.) and projects may exist. This is principally a field-based position (minimum 80% of time) with surveys often occurring in remote backcountry locations. Work will be physically demanding and will involve extensive hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (5000 to 9000 ft.) on a daily basis, potentially during inclement weather conditions such as heat, snow, or rain. Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet survey objectives.

Requirements

Experience in conducting wildlife surveys.
Previous crew lead experience of at least one field season.
Experience in standard field methods for wildlife surveys, status assessments, and habitat characterization.
Experience with visual and/or auditory species identification.
Ability to understand, implement, and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols.
Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, including nighttime and early morning surveys.
Skills in GPS navigation and map reading.
Ability to complete physically demanding field work in remote locations.
Effective communication skills for coordination with multidisciplinary teams.
Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field, with fieldwork experience OR two seasons of wildlife fieldwork experience.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience with California spotted owl, American goshawk, and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, or some combination of the above.

Responsibilities

Coordinating and supervising a small team of technicians (1-3 personnel) to ensure safe, efficient, and scientifically sound data collection.
Overseeing daily field operations.
Mentoring and training crew members.
Serving as the primary point of contact between the field crew and US Forest Service/GBI staff.
Providing technical advice and leadership for wildlife management programs.
Planning and leading of surveys for TES (threatened, endangered, and sensitive) wildlife species.
Gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs.
Ensuring data quality and integrity.
Assessing habitat quality and quantity.
Interpreting biological requirements for focal wildlife species and their habitat.
Inventorying and monitoring habitat populations.
Conducting broadcast acoustical and reproductive surveys for spotted owls.
Conducting broadcast acoustical and reproductive surveys for goshawks.
Surveying and identifying aquatic species.
Gaining exposure to US Forest Service processes, procedures, compliance measures and reporting, and technical experience.
Assisting with other disciplines (e.g., archaeology, forestry, hydrology, range, etc.) and projects may exist.

Benefits

Wage: $26/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate.
Full time, average 40 hours per week.
Paid holidays.
Shared housing is provided.
Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance.
$25,000 Life/AD&D policy.
Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available.
Voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.
Mental health support resources are employer provided.
Competitive PTO accrual.
Paid holidays.