Individual Placement - Wildlife Management with The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Student Conservation Association•Junction City, OR

17h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a 9-month (39-week) position from February 8 – November 05, 2027, where interns will assist with wildlife surveys and habitat management in and around the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley Region of Oregon. Interns will work primarily with herpetofauna and avifauna. The hosting organization is the Willamette Valley Project, located in Junction City, OR. This position is primarily in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed. SCA Members regularly interact with members of the public. Access to public transportation at the work site is limited or not possible, and cell phone reception may be limited, spotty, or not available.

Requirements

Coursework and degree in biology, zoology, or environmental science
Leadership skills gained through professional positions, internships, or extra-curricular activities
Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather with biting insects
Familiarity with biological concepts and wildlife survey techniques
Interest in wildlife and conservation
Willingness and ability to work well independently and as a team in remote areas
Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs (day pack/survey gear), hike in remote areas, bend, and kneel for extended time periods.
Ability to navigate by maps, aerial photos, compass, and GPS
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail
A positive attitude
Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint and willingness to bring your personal computer to the office to conduct office work as needed
Willingness to ride in and work from boats
Valid driver’s license and the ability to report on time to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office
Willingness to work a 40-hour work week with shifts ranging from 8-10 hours, depending on surveys.
Knowledge of Northwestern U.S. fauna and/or coursework in wildlife biology and ecology
Must own a vehicle to reliably get to and from the field office.
Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency/organization is a requirement for this position.
Must be able to complete or fulfill all partner driving requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience using ArcGIS and Field Maps applications
Familiarity with Pacific Northwestern fauna identification
Experience using binoculars and spotting scopes for avian surveys
Experience handling wildlife

Responsibilities

Assist with monitoring the northwestern pond turtle, Western Purple Martin, Bald Eagle, grassland birds, and other species.
Northwestern pond turtle nest searching and protection, hatchling excavations, and visual encounter surveys.
Removal of non-native turtles.
Amphibian egg mass surveys.
Western Purple Martin nest box surveys and management.
Collecting biological data in the field and data entry.
Working with ArcGIS, native plant surveys, assisting with plant nursery operations, Oregon chub surveys, and cultural resources monitoring.
Assist with creating, updating, and organizing spatial datasets related to wildlife monitoring sites, nest locations, and habitat features.
Conduct periodic vegetation assessments to document species composition, invasive presence, and habitat condition.
Help with propagation, watering, transplanting, and maintenance of native plants used for habitat restoration.