Wildlife Crew Lead (Eldorado National Forest)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, is recruiting Wildlife Crew Crew Leads to support the study and review of proposed actions in National Forests in the Sierra Nevada. Wildlife Crew Leads will perform field surveys, data collection, and provide technical assistance to assess wildlife habitat for various species. Fieldwork will consider federally listed species, candidate species, and those proposed for listing while assessing the ecosystems upon which they depend. This work is in furtherance of ESA goals that seek the best available scientific information to inform forest restoration planning. 

Work will focus on applied management objectives for sensitive, threatened and endangered species. The majority of surveys will focus on CA Spotted-Owl but may include Northern Goshawk, Pacific Fisher, and Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog. This includes monitoring populations and surveying habitats used by these species to 1) support population data on specific species; and 2) ensure adequate protections are in place for areas undergoing vegetation management and restoration projects. Crew Members will gain exposure to USFS processes, procedures, compliance measures and reporting, and technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., archaeology, forestry, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. These positions support legally mandated compliance measures and obligations; some projects will help serve USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources.

Wildlife Crew Leads will perform a wide variety of activities to support all stages of project work. Crew Members will provide technical advice for wildlife management programs. This includes gathering, compiling and analyzing data. Duties may include: 

1. Surveys for CA Spotted Owls (~70% of season);
2. Broadcast acoustical surveys for Northern Goshawks; 
3. Nesting and reproductive status monitoring;
4. Salamander surveys;
5. Frog identification;
6. Maintaining passive and baited camera stations;
7. Setting up bat survey stations;
8. Raising and breeding mice for CA Spotted-Owl surveys.

LOCATION

Eldorado National Forest (NF); Placerville Ranger District

Located in the central Sierra Nevada, the Eldorado NF is bordered on the east by the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, and by the Tahoe and Stanislaus NFs to the north and south, respectively. Eldorado NF offers an abundance of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, hiking, biking, skiing and climbing. The forest is home to much of the American River headwaters and the stunning Desolation Wilderness, and is in the heart of California’s historic Gold Country. People travel to Eldorado National Forest for its rich prospecting history, diversity of outdoor adventure and even beautiful vineyards.

WORK SCHEDULE

Wildlife Crew Lead positions begin early March, 2025 and end in mid-August 2025. 

Wildlife Crew Lead positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. Crews will work a varied schedule including nighttime surveys during the majority of the season. Some crews may work 8 days on 4 days off schedules. 

Temporary Special Assignment employees are eligible to receive holiday pay, if partner approved. TSAs holiday schedule will comply with the project partner holiday schedule, unless otherwise specified in their employment offer. TSAs working five (5) eight (8) hour days per workweek will be paid eight (8) hours for all holidays. TSAs working four (4) ten (10) hour days per workweek will be paid ten (10) hours for all holidays.  Same with other approved/allowable workweek configurations; these can be accommodated accordingly with Banked Holiday(s).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Wage: $26/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week. Paid holidays. 

Shared housing is provided.

In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time,onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.  Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays. This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

To perform this job successfully, employees must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience in conducting wildlife surveys; preferred experience with California Spotted-Owl, Northern Goshawk
• Experience in standard field methods for wildlife surveys, status assessments, and habitat characterization
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols;
• Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, including nighttime surveys and possibly including some weekends and holidays
• Skills in GPS navigation and map reading
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas, including overnight camping if necessary
• Effective communication skills for coordination with multidisciplinary teams
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads

2. Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field, with fieldwork experience OR two seasons of wildlife fieldwork experience.

3. Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three

professional references to the unique application link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=198553&clientkey=A1ADEF5691B02D64E998539442696918.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact Blake Carlile at BCarlile@thegreatbasininstitute.org.

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.