Bumble Bee Survey Biologist

We have openings for 2-3 biologists to survey bumble bees and plants on plots within the central Sierra Nevada in Northern California, near Truckee, CA (Sierra and Nevada Counties) and Pioneer, CA (Amador and Calaveras Counties), as part of several studies of the effects of habitat restoration on bumble bees, birds, and plants. The study areas are predominately montane meadow and aspen communities.

PROJECT DATES (tentative): June 1 – mid August 2022.

TRAINING: The field season will begin with a training session in bumble bee identification, plant identification, survey protocols, and field safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Bumble bee surveyors will work independently and sometimes in teams of 2 to survey bumble bees at meadow and aspen treatment plots and control plots. On a typical day, surveyors will spend mid-morning through mid-afternoon conducting bumble bee surveys, and rapid vegetation surveys. The late afternoon will then typically be spent entering data from the day’s surveys. Work will require walking off-trail to survey locations across uneven ground and sometimes through thick shrubby vegetation. The typical work schedule will be 5-days on followed by 2-days off, though work days may need to be shifted due to inclement weather.

REQUIREMENTS: Applicants with previous bumble bee ID experience or Sierra Nevada plant ID experience will be strongly preferred. Other requirements include a sense of humor, a love of adventure, and an appreciation for montane meadow and aspen landscapes. A willingness to communicate and coordinate with others, and to face the rigors of fieldwork and data entry with good humor is important. These rigors include (but are not limited to) physically demanding work, long work days, mosquitos and biting flies, occasional contact with bears, and less-than-glamorous housing. Successful candidates must be in good physical condition and must be comfortable with off-trail hiking and orienteering with a handheld GPS (training provided). Although housing will be provided in a central location, travel to some study sites may require occasional camping.

EQUIPMENT: Biologists are expected to provide their own personal equipment (hiking boots, raingear, daypack, binoculars, etc.) but survey gear will be provided. A personal vehicle is highly desirable but not strictly required.

COMPENSATION: The biologist will be considered seasonal IBP staff, and will receive payment of $2,900 per month (before payroll taxes), free shared housing, and mileage reimbursement for project-related travel, but no fringe benefits.

TO APPLY: Please email a resume, cover letter, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of up to three references to Mandy Holmgren, Biologist at: mholmgren AT birdpop DOT org. Professional references are preferred, but one reference may be a character reference. Many times references are slow to reply, we will contact all submitted references and encourage submitting more references so that your application can be quickly processed.

IBP values diversity and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.