Wildlife Recovery Technician (AmeriCorps, USFWS, Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex)

The RA Program at GBI, in cooperation with United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, is recruiting 2 AmeriCorps members to serve as a Wildlife Recovery Technicians. 

The Great Basin Institute is working cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex based in Ventura, CA to support the California Condor Recovery Program. Two (2) Wildlife Technicians will be selected to assist in management of the free flying population of California Condors in southern California for a 6-month duration. 

Primary Responsibilities:

This position focuses on management of the free flying population of California Condors in Southern California. The selected applicant will primarily focus on trapping wild condors, release and monitoring of captive bred juvenile condors, monitoring behaviors, nesting, mating, feeding and other activities indicative of how well individuals are adapting to their new environment. Additionally, the technician will assist in acquiring and dropping carcasses to feed the condors, mobile tracking, and general maintenance around the refuges. 

Field work requires the ability to work independently and as a team; work and sometimes camp in remote areas during inclement weather or harsh environmental conditions; travel via UTV (training provided), 4WD vehicle, or by foot, in steep mountainous terrain; carry 50 lb carcasses to feeding sites; keep detailed field notes; follow data collection protocols for the collection and entry of accurate and consistent data; and assist in routine office work.

* Members are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

Timeline:

• 27-week appointment beginning early May 2025
• Full-time 40 hours/week
• The schedule is typically hitch-based  consisting of ten, 8-hour days on, four days off

Location:

The Research Associate will be stationed and will have housing available during hitch at: 

Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge (Ventura County, CA): Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 for the recovery of the endangered California condor. This 2,471-acre Refuge adjoins the southern boundary of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, a component of the U.S. Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest. The 53,000-acre Sanctuary contains critical California condor nesting and roosting habitat. Strategically located adjacent to the Sanctuary, the Refuge helps buffer these nesting and roosting areas from human disturbance and protects a portion of the foraging habitat within a much larger area where the condors have historically foraged and fed. Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge also protects a variety of plant communities that provide habitat for other species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Maricopa, CA): As a hub of condor activity and research opportunities, Bitter Creek NWR is a unique keystone at the nexus of two mountain ranges serving as an important corridor for condors and other wildlife. The refuge protects habitat within an important east/west running mountain range and provides movement corridors for populations of native ungulates, raptors, and other wildlife.

Condor and other wildlife movements extend beyond refuge boundaries and exemplify the Service’s contribution to a much larger conservation initiative as we partner with public and private landowners. Alongside these charismatic animals, so, too, can lesser-known and rare wildlife and plant species thrive within this intact and functioning ecosystem. Also protected on the refuge are Native American cultural resources and remnants of 19th-century homesteads.

Both refuges are remote, with the closest access to grocery stores and gas stations about 40 minutes away. Technicians should plan on bringing their food for the 10 day hitch up to refuge with them. Both refuges have bunkhouses with full kitchens, electricity, and wifi.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance: approximately $1,200 biweekly (before taxes);

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (EAP; 900 Hours): $3697.50 upon successful completion of term;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Uniform Reimbursement Not-to-exceed $500.00
• Access to Pro Deals;

Housing: Housing is available for the entire duration of the applicants’ terms, if needed, and will switch between Hopper Mountain and Bitter Creek NWRs based on management needs at either location.

AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Required:

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences (e.g., biology, ecology, wildlife management, or related field) or coursework and related experience
• Previous experience following protocols for field sampling and data collection and related experience in data entry, collection and management
• Understanding of issues related to threatened and endangered species, and familiarity with the ecology of the study region preferred (Local Applicants Highly Encouraged to Apply!)
• Previous experience in using radio telemetry to locate free-ranging animals preferred
• Experience in the use of GPS units for navigation and collecting spatial data
• Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Tolerant of working in variable weather conditions, willing and able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, and able to hike 2-5+ miles daily on uneven terrain while carrying a pack sometimes exceeding 50 lbs.
• Comfortable handling animal carcasses
• Comfortable working independently, sometimes at night 
• Willingness and ability to camp at primitive sites for several consecutive nights
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and follow safe working practices
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record
• Experience safely operating 4WD vehicles and UTVs
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Ability and willingness to handle wildlife under supervision.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.