Entry-level Field Technician for Spotted Owl Surveys

Spend your summer doing field work in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains of California! We are looking for Entry-level Field Technicians to conduct surveys for California Spotted Owls (4 positions) on the Stanislaus National Forest.

PROJECT DATES (tentative, dependent on winter snowpack): California Spotted Owl season May 1-August 15th, 2024, but start dates are somewhat flexible.

TRAINING: The field season will begin with a training period focusing on field safety and implementation of survey protocols.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary duties will involve working in teams of two to conduct occupancy and reproduction surveys for California Spotted Owls on National Forest land. Survey work will be primarily conducted at night, but some visits will be conducted during late afternoon or early evening hours. Irregular hours are expected through the season. Field work will require off-trail hiking, long drives, and occasional car camping. Volunteer technicians will also be responsible for mice colony care, data entry, maintenance of equipment and vehicles, and attending weekly meetings.

REQUIREMENTS: Primary requirements include a sense of humor, a love of adventure, and a desire to learn more about Spotted Owls and the Sierra Nevada. Previous outdoors experience is preferred, and a willingness to face the rigors of fieldwork with good humor is important. These rigors include physically demanding work (i.e. able to hike long distances in steep terrain), adapting to a largely nocturnal schedule, wet and cold weather, hot and dry weather, mosquitoes, poison oak, occasional contact with bears, and housing that may be rustic and/or somewhat crowded.

SCHEDULE: Typically 5 days on and 2 off.

EQUIPMENT: Volunteer technicians are expected to provide their own binoculars, hiking boots and camping gear for car camping (tent, sleeping bag, raingear, etc.).

COMPENSATION: These are classified as volunteer positions, but we provide training, shared housing, and a per diem of $53 (amounts to approximately $1300 per month) to help with food and general living expenses.

TO APPLY: Please email a resume, cover letter, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references to Mandy Holmgren, Biologist, at: mholmgren AT birdpop DOT org. Both character and professional references are acceptable. 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.