California Spotted Owl and Tree Climbing Technician

Up to 3 wildlife technicians are needed to conduct surveys and assist with captures for California spotted owls in addition to tree climbing to place nest monitoring cameras in Yosemite National Park, Eldorado National Forest, and Lassen National Forest, California. Positions will begin April 4 2022. All positions will last until at least July 1, 2022. Pay starts at $16.00 per hour depending upon experience, plus nighttime differential-pay, and camping per-diem when applicable. Housing is also provided.

Wildlife technicians will conduct surveys for spotted owls, assess reproductive status, locate nest trees, assist with spotted owl captures, assist with tree climbing and care for equipment/lures. Wildlife technicians will also record, transcribe, enter data into computer databases and validate data that was collected in the field. A typical workweek is 40 hours. Schedules will be irregular with potential for camping. For example, owl work will be primarily at dusk or dawn, but daytime work will often be required to set up and take down nest video cameras. Work will often require off-trail hiking in steep, forested terrain, during day or night. Technicians must be respectful of others as well as work and live together cooperatively.

Our results will be translated into recommendations to land management agencies responsible for maintaining viable spotted owl populations such as the National Park Service and US Forest Service. The application deadline is 4 February, 2022. Interviews and hiring will be on a rolling basis and will begin as resumes from qualified applicants are received. All applicants must apply through the University of Wisconsin – Madison Jobs website: https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/cw/en-us/job/511855/research-technician and follow the instructions after clicking on the “Apply Online” button. Include a cover letter stating why you are interested in a position, a resume with at least three references, and their contact information all as a single file.

Qualified technicians will have a bachelor's degree in wildlife or related field, and/or have relevant experience conducting wildlife surveys, experience working in remote conditions, the ability to hike in a time efficient manner in steep terrain, and experience safely driving 4-wheel drive vehicles on backcountry roads.

-Applicants must be physically fit (i.e., able to walk long distances in steep mountainous terrain with field gear in a time efficient manner).

-Ability to follow supervisor's instructions and adhere to established scientific protocols.

-Ability to take detailed field notes and translate these into electronic databases.

-Ability to work alone and off-trail far from human settlements.

-Ability and confidence navigating unfamiliar terrain on foot at night with a map, compass and GPS.

-Ability to navigate and safely operate 4-wheel-drive vehicles on minimally maintained backcountry roads at night.

-A clean driving record is required.

-Must work and live cooperatively.