Field Technician for nest surveys in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

We have 4 openings for nest surveyors during spring/summer 2024 on our project assessing the impact of wildfire management on understory nesting birds in sequoia groves and roadside corridors.

PROJECT DATES (tentative): Early May – Early August 2024 (tentative)

TRAINING: The field season will begin with a training session in project protocols for conducting nest surveys for understory species, vegetation assessments, and multispecies point counts (depending on prior experience). Field technicians are required to already be able to identify Sierra birds by sight and sound; applicants with previous nest surveying experience will be strongly preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary duties will involve surveying for understory species nests and conducting vegetation assessments in sequoia groves and the 2021 KNP Complex fire scar along roadway corridors. Depending on experience, technicians may also conduct multi-species point counts. Data will be collected on tablets using the Field Maps application but some data entry will be required. Working in a team of two or three, technicians will hike to and survey recently burned forest sites and/or sequoia groves slated for wildfire management within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Sierra Nevada. On a typical day, technicians will wake up before dawn for travel (drive and/or hike) and spend the morning into early afternoon surveying for understory species nests, then conduct rapid vegetation surveys. Afternoons will be spent preparing and assessing needs for the next day’s survey sites. Some days may start with conducting multi-species point counts before vegetation surveys (depending on prior experience). Work will be physically demanding, sometimes involving several-mile hikes into survey sites and a possible backpacking trip (hiking in up to 15 miles with up to 7 days of back-country camping) to access survey sites far from roads. Off-trail travel will be required at all survey sites.

REQUIREMENTS: We are looking for candidates with prior birding experience; applicants who are proficient in identification of western forest birds, and/or have nest surveying or point count experience will be preferred. Other requirements include a love of adventure, a desire to learn more about and contribute to wildfire management in sequoia groves, and an appreciation for recently burned montane landscapes. Survey work will be distributed throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and may require staying several nights per week at front-country campgrounds or in the backcountry on the occasional backpacking trip. A willingness to face the rigors of fieldwork with good humor is important. These rigors include (but are not limited to!) physically demanding work, long work days that may begin well before dawn, wet/cold weather, mosquitos, occasional contact with bears, and less-than-glamorous housing. Successful candidates must be in excellent physical condition and must be comfortable with off-trail hiking and orienteering. A personal vehicle is highly desirable but not strictly required.

SCHEDULE: Typically 5 days on and 2 off (but subject to shift depending on wildfire management implementation). Backcountry trips will require longer work weeks, typically 7 days on.

EQUIPMENT: Technicians are expected to provide their own binoculars and other necessary gear including raingear, hiking boots, a daypack, and front-country camping/backpacking gear (tent, sleeping bag, cooking gear, etc.). Some gear may be available for borrowing.

COMPENSATION: Technicians will be considered seasonal IBP staff, and will receive payment of $2,900 per month (before payroll taxes). Shared housing will be provided. A personal vehicle is a plus but not strictly required; project-related travel mileage will be reimbursed. No fringe benefits are provided.

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 (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 encourage submitting more references so that your application can be quickly processed. We are hiring for many different positions; you may apply for multiple positions in one application, but please specify which positions you're applying to. No phone calls please.

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.