Wildlife Lead (Sequoia NF, Kern River Ranger District)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Kernville, CA

8d • $26 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, is recruiting Wildlife Crew Leads to support the study and review of proposed actions in National Forests in the Sierra Nevada. Crew Leads will support Wildlife Technicians in performing field surveys, collecting data, and providing technical assistance to assess wildlife habitat for various species. Fieldwork will consider federally listed species, candidate species, and those proposed for listing while assessing the ecosystems upon which they depend. This work is in furtherance of ESA goals that seek the best available scientific information to inform forest restoration planning. A Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) employee is one who is hired for a specific temporary assignment external from the institute’s administrative operations with one of GBI’s partners for 52 weeks or greater or less than 52 weeks and may work full-time (30 or more hours per week) or part-time (less than 30 hours per week). The incumbents will be based out of the Kernville Ranger District (Kernville, CA) of the Sequoia National Forest (SNF), which is one of 19 National Forests in California and takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree. The SNF's landscape includes soaring granite monoliths, glacier-carved canyons, roaring whitewater, and more than 30 groves of sequoia trees in the forest's lower elevation slopes. Elevations range from 1,000 feet in the foothill region to peaks over 12,000 feet in the rugged high country, providing visitors with some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire west.

Requirements

• Experience in conducting wildlife surveys
• Experience in standard field methods for wildlife surveys, status assessments, and habitat characterization
• 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, possibly including some weekends, nights, holidays
• Skills in GPS navigation and map reading
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
• 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 three years of wildlife fieldwork experience.

Nice To Haves

• preferred experience with California Spotted-Owl, Northern Goshawk, Pacific Fisher, or Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog
• Experience leading crews in the field preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead field crews in conducting species-specific wildlife surveys and habitat assessments (e.g., California Spotted-Owl, Northern Goshawk, Pacific Fisher, Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog).
• Manage crew safety, coordinate daily tasks, and ensure data collection adheres to USFS management protocols.
• Perform species monitoring, habitat assessments, and maintain field survey stations (e.g., acoustics, baited camera stations).
• Collaborate with USFS and GBI staff to support vegetation management and environmental compliance measures.
• Administrative duties such as meeting with GBI staff, leading report writing, receipt management, managing crew members and team dynamics.
• Additional tasks may include survey equipment setup, data quality assurance, and training.

Benefits

• company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members
• Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level