Wildlife Technician - Beckwourth Ranger District, Plumas NF

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE•Beckwourth, CA

3d•$21 - $21

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), is recruiting Wildlife Technicians to support wildlife monitoring and habitat assessment efforts on the Beckwourth Ranger District within the Sierra Nevada region. This position supports field-based data collection for sensitive, threatened, and endangered species in support of USFS resource management objectives. The Wildlife Technician will work under the direction of GBI and USFS supervisors to conduct wildlife surveys, assist with habitat assessments, and support field operations. Duties include collecting accurate field data, maintaining monitoring equipment, and assisting with data entry and reporting. Fieldwork may involve hiking in rugged terrain under variable weather conditions, conducting visual and auditory species identification, and deploying and maintaining remote cameras or acoustic monitoring equipment. This is a Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) position designed to support external partner projects for a defined duration. Assignments may be full-time or part-time and are expected to last up to 6 months. This position is based in the Beckwourth Ranger District, and fieldwork will be conducted in various locations within the Plumas National Forest. Field work will require traveling to remote sites, with occasional office work for data entry and reporting. This position will begin in April 2026 and end in October 2026. Season start and end dates are project- and weather-dependent. Wildlife Crew member positions typically follow four 10-hour days per week (Monday–Thursday), though schedules may vary. TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees). This position contributes to GBI’s mission of advancing environmental research, education, and conservation.

Requirements

Experience in conducting wildlife surveys; preferred experience with California Spotted-Owl, Northern Goshawk
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, including nighttime surveys and possibly including some weekends and 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 two seasons of wildlife fieldwork experience

Responsibilities

Conduct wildlife surveys following established protocols
Assist with California Spotted Owl, Northern Goshawk, bat, amphibian, and reptile surveys
Monitor nesting activity and reproductive status of target species
Assist with raising and maintaining mice for California Spotted Owl surveys, as directed
Install, maintain, and monitor passive and baited camera stations
Collect, record, and enter field data into databases and GIS systems
Assist with preparation of reports and summaries
Maintain, sanitize, and organize wildlife monitoring equipment
Support field logistics, including equipment preparation and site access

Benefits

Hourly wage of $21 per hour, with overtime paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate
Full-time position averaging 40 hours per week
GBI offers a competitive benefits package, including:
Medical, dental (with optional upgraded coverage), and vision insurance
$25,000 Life/AD&D insurance policy
Voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance
Optional Life/AD&D coverage for dependents
Mental health support resources
Generous paid time off (PTO) accrual and paid holidays
Shared housing accommodations provided for crew members
TSA employees who serve multiple assignments totaling more than 52 weeks, with breaks of 30 days or fewer, may become eligible for benefits typically provided to full-time employees