Individual Placement - Wildlife Field Technician at the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

Student Conservation Association • Fort Collins, CO

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

Wildlife Field Technicians will collaborate with U.S. Forest Service Biologists and the Wildlife Field Lead to conduct various wildlife surveys across the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Responsibilities include acoustic and visual surveys for raptors and songbirds, prairie dog mapping, remote camera trap deployment, amphibian population monitoring, pollinator netting, bat acoustic surveys, habitat improvement, and educational outreach. A significant portion of the work supports fuel reduction, timber sale, and forest resiliency projects, alongside annual monitoring. Technicians will spend approximately 70% of their time in the field and 30% in the office, focusing on data entry, quality control, equipment maintenance, and species identification. Opportunities for ArcGIS Pro training and map creation may also be provided. This role offers hands-on experience in wildlife biology fieldwork and an introduction to natural resource management principles within the Forest Service.

Requirements

• Applicants have either have or are working toward a 4 year undergraduate degree in wildlife biology or a related discipline.
• Familiar with wildlife survey techniques and biological concepts.
• Familiar with fauna of the Southern Rocky Mountain region (Colorado).
• Able to visually and acoustically identify Southern Rocky Mountain region birds and amphibians.
• Physically fit and prepared for strenuous, off-trail, high elevation hiking in all weather conditions.
• Able to use binoculars and spotting scope.
• Must possess and maintain valid driver’s license.
• Must own a car, or have means of regular transportation to and from duty station daily.
• Possess good verbal and written communications skills.
• Good navigation and route-finding skills using maps and GIS tools.
• Must be able to drive 4x4 trucks on forest roads, work in burned areas, and carry out duties in steep and rugged terrain and wilderness areas.
• Must be able to work with other people on a crew and under the direction of USFS staff.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience performing bird surveys and raptor nest searches.
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, natural resource management, conservation management, or related discipline -OR- completed a minimum of 20 credit hours towards a degree in the fields listed above, and has had 1 season of field experience with wildlife surveys.
• Experience navigating and taking data points using Global Positioning System (GPS) units, Field Maps or Survey 123, and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications such as ArcGIS Pro.
• Efficient with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Be an active participant on a two-to-three-person sample crew and ensure crew is working toward Zone priorities.
• Follow established protocols for survey and data form completion.
• Ensure accurate and complete data collection and data entry.
• May help train other placements or volunteers on designated projects and protocols.
• Take detailed field notes.
• Conduct data entry, field data collection, field navigation, and quality assurance of data.
• Evaluate data and field observations and make recommendations for improvement of habitat or species.
• Conduct daytime surveys and nest searches for American goshawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and other raptors.
• Conduct mountain plover surveys.
• Conduct prairie dog town mapping.
• Conduct nocturnal surveys for flammulated and boreal owl.
• Conduct amphibian breeding and habitat surveys.
• Deploy acoustic detectors for bat monitoring and storing collected data.
• Install and check remote cameras including changing SD cards and batteries, reviewing and cataloging photos, and summarizing data using Excel software.
• Conduct Preble's meadow jumping mouse habitat evaluation and photo monitoring.
• Participate in abandoned fence removal.
• Participate in education outreach opportunities such as educational booths at fairs or in classroom programming.
• Assist other crews in survey work such as archeology and fisheries.
• Assist other program areas such as recreation in maintenance of recreation facilities and trails.
• Assist USFWS, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and other groups with large projects or monitoring efforts.

Benefits

• Living Allowance – $600/week
• One-time Travel Allowance – $1,100
• Housing Allowance - $400/month
• Federal Holiday Off (if required to work, an alternative day will be scheduled off)
• Bear Safety Training
• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR Training
• Off-Road Vehicle Safety Training

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees