Seasonal Technician -- Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (9 positions)

• Title:                            Seasonal Technician -- Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (9 positions)
• FLSA Status:                Seasonal / Non-exempt / Hourly
• Reports to:                   Avian Ecologist and Crew Leader
• Direct Reports:             None
• Location:                     New Mexico and Arizona
• Salary:                         $17.50 hourly, $18.50 for returning employees. Limited overtime hours may be required. In addition to pay, reimbursement for project-related travel and lodging up will be provided.
• Duration:                      14 weeks (early April into July)
• Benefits:                       Not eligible
• Start Date:                   April 1st, 2024 (tentative)
• Purpose:                      The seasonal technicians will conduct playback surveys to monitor Mexican Spotted Owl populations in U.S. National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico

About the Organization:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conserves birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and stewardship. Our work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond. Our mission is advanced through sound science, achieved through empowering people, realized through stewardship and sustained through cross-border collaborations. We monitor and identify population trends, research habitat needs, engage landowners and managers in wildlife and habitat stewardship, and inspire audiences of all ages to be better stewards of the land. Together, we are improving native bird populations, the land, and the lives of people. Learn more about our work and programs at our website: www.birdconservancy.org

Position Overview:

Experience a season of adventure surveying for Mexican Spotted Owls on US National Forests throughout Arizona and New Mexico. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring 9 field technicians that will travel within a small team across the southwestern US to conduct Spotted Owl playback surveys. Technicians follow a strict protocol of broadcasting Spotted Owl calls and listening for responses, adding to a long-term monitoring dataset that informs the regional population trends of the owl. This is a unique opportunity to work on a federally-threatened species and to become intricately familiar with southwestern landscapes. Successful candidates will be passionate about wildlife conservation, comfortable hiking long distances off-trail at night, and enjoy living and working remotely for several months at a time. Work days can be long and strenuous, and the work schedule is highly variable with extensive driving time. Attendance to a 4-day training during the beginning of the field season is mandatory. Technicians must be able to learn to identify all southwestern owls by sight and sound upon completion of the training. Review this blog post to hear about this position from a previous technician, and this blog post from the Project Coordinator to learn about why we do this work.   

The first week of the field season, you will participate in an intensive training session with the Avian Ecologist and Crew Leaders. It will cover protocols, avian identification, safety protocols, GPS navigation and data entry.

Fieldwork Responsibilities:

• Work ~35-60 hours/week with highly variable hours (overtime pay provided); expect long hours in the field. Fieldwork conducted in hitch schedule: 10 days on/4 days off with limited flexibility for personal needs
• Travel and work with a field partner during a hitch, then rotate partners within a small team of 4 people
• Drive on remote, 4wd roads and hiking on and off trail in steep rugged terrain on a regular basis
• Navigate to survey site using combination GPS, compass and map during the day and at night
• Car camp daily, often without cell service or facilities, return to camp late at night from surveys
• Occasionally overnight backpack in remote roadless/wilderness areas
• Enter data, update timesheets and worklogs, and research how to access survey locations
• Check in frequently with the Crew Leader and be available by cell or by satellite phone (provided)

Equipment and reimbursements:

You will need to provide your own smart phone (for data entry in the field) and laptop computer (for timesheets after a hitch), as well as car and backpacking camping gear. You may drive your own 4WD/AWD vehicle (with reimbursement for work-related mileage at the federal rate) or we will provide a rental vehicle (and reimburse gas expenses, must be 21 and over). We will provide a satellite phone, GPS unit, and other work-related survey and safety equipment. You are responsible for your own food; we will reimburse lodging expenses up to $125/week.

Required qualifications:

• Applicants should be enthusiastic, physically fit, enjoy travel, able to work long hours in the field
•  Ability to hike up to 8+ miles/day while carrying a 30-lbs backpack in strenuous terrain
• Willing to stay up late at night, and face hot/cold/rainy/windy weather in the outdoors
• Comfortable with likely encounters with hazardous wildlife including bison, black bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and venomous insects
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles on unpaved roads, comfortable driving 1-4 hours a day
• Able to work independently with multiple days of solitude and enthusiasm for 3.5 months of fieldwork.
• Ability to identify or learn to identify nocturnal avian species of the southwest by sight and sound
• A valid driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and clean driving record
• Must pass a background check and DMV screening

Desired additional experience:

• Demonstrated experience with long distance hiking, backpacking, and navigating off-trail
• Prior fieldwork experience conducting avian or other wildlife surveys
• Experience using a GPS, topographic maps, compass, navigation apps (such as Avenza, GAIA, Caltopo)
• A personal vehicle with 4WD/AWD and mid to high clearance is highly desirable but not required
• Basic first aid & wilderness first aid training
• Professional or life experience interacting with private landowners

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Studies have shown that underrepresented groups, including women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job from diverse backgrounds and with attention to lived experience. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies will consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in a single PDF document to: spottedowl@birdconservancy.org with “LastName_MSO2024_technician” in the subject line and document file name. Please include in your cover letter: (1) how you meet the qualifications; (2) why you are interested in the position and (3) where you saw the job posting. Applications will be reviewed starting on January 1st 2024 and positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found.