Acoustic Wildlife Technician

Job Summary:

We are hiring up to 7 qualified technicians to undertake field work for bioacoustics research projects throughout National Forests in the Sierra Nevada region in California. This monitoring program uses autonomous recording units (ARUs) to survey for avifauna and provide information for several research and management programs studying forest owls and songbirds.

This multi-year research project focuses largely on the distribution of California spotted owls and the invasive barred owl, in order to provide information vital to the successful management of both species at broad spatial scales in the Sierra Nevada. Additional research is being conducted on the distributions of forest owls and songbirds across the range.

Start and end dates for this position are dependent on snowpack, but the season will likely run mid-April through July, with a target start date of April 14.

A typical workweek is 40 hours, generally 4 days/week. Field housing will be provided, but frequent camping of several nights/week is required. Schedules will be irregular, dependent on weather conditions, and will include a combination of field and office work. Field work consists of deploying and retrieving ARUs throughout National Forest Service land. Most sites will be reached by vehicle via forest roads, but some areas may require short-distance hikes to deployment locations. Office work can include, but is not limited to, data entry and confirmation, downloading and managing acoustic data, updating maps, and prepping and troubleshooting equipment. Other duties may include clearing roads of debris, and vehicle maintenance. Much of the work will be solitary, but some group work will be required. Technicians must be respectful of others and work and live together cooperatively.

Ideal applicants will have experience working in remote conditions; working solo in the field for days at a time; and driving 4wd vehicles on unmaintained, back country roads. Chainsaw certification is a plus.

Please apply before 19 Jan, 2025 at: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/wildlife-technician-acoustics_peery-california-united-states

We will review applicants and conduct interviews on a rolling basis. Please include a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position, and a resume with at least three references and their contact information. For questions or additional information about the position please contact Sheila Whitmore (whitmore2@wisc.edu).

Salary:

$20-$24 per hour, depending on experience

Dates: April 14 - Aug 1

Education:

Required: Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife or related field required, or relevant field experience

Qualifications:

-Ability to safely operate 4-wheel-drive vehicles on backcountry roads
-Applicants must be physically fit (i.e., able to walk up to 1 mile in sometimes steep terrain)
-Demonstrated ability to take detailed field notes and translate these into electronic databases
-Ability to work alone far from human settlements
-Ability and confidence navigating unfamiliar terrain with maps and GPS
-Ability to follow established field protocols
-Ability to adapt work plans and schedules to changing field conditions
-A clean driving record with at least two years of driving experience is required
-Must work and live cooperatively

License/Certification:

Required: Drivers License - must be valid and meet UW Risk Management Standards

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For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: http://diversity.wisc.edu -> Diversity and Inclusion