Wildlife Technician (NPS, Mojave National Preserve)

The Great Basin Institute•Essex, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) at Mojave National Preserve (MOJA), is recruiting one Desert Tortoise Technician to support wildlife surveys, resource monitoring, data collection, and natural resource management throughout the preserve. Because the field season is late in the year, the role will not focus exclusively on desert tortoises. Work may include tortoise monitoring for construction projects, desert spring surveys, bat emergence surveys using acoustic recorders and thermal cameras, and habitat improvement projects for the Mohave tui chub fish. The position supports the preservation and management of the preserve’s diverse desert ecosystems and sensitive wildlife species. The position is scheduled to begin in early November 2026 and lasts seven weeks. It is full-time at 40 hours per week, with a schedule of 4-10’s or 5, 4, 9’s, subject to change as needed. Work takes place at Mojave National Preserve, a 1.6-million-acre area that includes Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran Desert landscapes, wilderness, sensitive wildlife habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites. Housing will be provided at no additional cost in a dormitory at the Hole-in-the-Wall Fire Center in Essex, California; the participant will have a private room and share a bathroom, kitchen, and common areas. Compensation is $22.50 per hour. Benefits include company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with an option to upgrade coverage), and vision insurance; $25,000 basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost; and access to Pro Deals. Applicants must meet Public Land Corps age and citizenship requirements, and successful applicants must complete a Department of the Interior background investigation or provide documentation of an active, fully adjudicated investigation before starting.

Requirements

Meet the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority age and citizenship requirements.
Possess a reliable vehicle or other form of transportation.
Possess a valid state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.
Have previous experience monitoring Mojave Desert tortoise projects or working with Mojave Desert tortoises.
Hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resources, or a closely related field in the biological sciences.
Complete a Department of the Interior background investigation, or submit documentation to NPS human resources that an active and fully adjudicated investigation has already been completed, before beginning the position.
Submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter detailing interest and qualifications, contact information for three professional and/or academic references, preliminary application questions, and a signed application.

Nice To Haves

Previous U.S. Fish and Wildlife approval as an Authorized Mojave Desert Tortoise Biologist.
Familiarity with natural resource management at western National Parks, specifically wildlife.
Fieldwork experience and experience applying methodological protocols for collecting field data.
Ability to work in extreme and remote parts of the park.
Familiarity with ecological processes, fauna, and flora of the Mojave and/or Sonoran Deserts.
Familiarity with or previous experience working in the Mojave and/or Sonoran Deserts.
Experience operating 4WD trucks on paved, unpaved, and unimproved roads.
Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and navigation.
Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass.
Experience using ArcGIS software.
Knowledge of or familiarity with Mojave National Preserve.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a diverse audience.
Willingness and ability to hike long distances carrying 40–50 pounds and lift, carry, and use equipment in harsh, variable desert conditions, including extreme heat.
Willingness to work a variable schedule, possibly including weekends.
Ability to work independently to accomplish goals.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public.
Good organizational skills.
Favorably adjudicated background clearance.
Motivated, self-directed, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to balance multiple tasks simultaneously.

Responsibilities

Monitor project areas during construction and other activities that could damage habitat or pose risks to endangered or threatened species, including desert tortoise monitoring.
Conduct wildlife and natural resource surveys, potentially including desert spring surveys and bat emergence surveys using acoustic recorders and thermal cameras.
Assist with habitat improvement and management activities for sensitive species, including the Mohave tui chub fish.
Collect, organize, analyze, and manage wildlife observations and other natural resource datasets within and around MOJA.
Work collaboratively with project managers and NPS Resource Management staff to support conservation and monitoring efforts.
Assist with resource-based activities and monitoring park resources, sometimes in coordination with volunteers.
Help promote public understanding and appreciation of MOJA’s natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources.