Wildlife Crew (CA and ID National Forests)

Job Details Job Location: Reno, NV 89511 Position Type: Seasonal Salary Range: $21.00 - $26.00 Hourly Job Category: Wildlife Studies & Habitat Assessment We’re opening this requisition now to identify strong candidates for lead and technician positions ahead of the main hiring season for these positions. Our partnership agreements with participating National Forests are currently being finalized, and active recruitment is expected to begin in January or early February. By applying early, you’ll be among the first considered once positions officially open. All applications will be evaluated for every available location, with your stated location preferences taken into account.

USFS, California, Idaho The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, is recruiting Wildlife Crew positions to support the study and review of proposed actions in National Forests in the Western U.S. This general posting is designed to establish a talent pool for upcoming roles typically active from early spring to fall each year (typically March - October). Each position involves working on varied projects with potential assignments focused on federally listed species, candidate species, and those proposed for listing, such as raptors, amphibians, or carnivores. This work is in furtherance of ESA goals that seek the best available scientific information to inform forest restoration planning. Successful applicants will be hired for specific projects as they arise, with responsibilities tailored to particular species and habitat at various forest locations.

Lead - Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Lead field crews in conducting species-specific wildlife surveys and habitat assessments (e.g., California Spotted-Owl, Northern Goshawk, Pacific Fisher, Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog).
• Manage crew safety, coordinate daily tasks, and ensure data collection adheres to USFS management protocols.
• Perform species monitoring, habitat assessments, and maintain field survey stations (e.g., acoustics, baited camera stations).
• Collaborate with USFS and GBI staff to support vegetation management and environmental compliance measures.

Administrative duties such as meeting with GBI staff, leading report writing, receipt management, managing crew members and team dynamics. Additional tasks may include survey equipment setup, data quality assurance, and training.

Technician - Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Perform species monitoring, habitat assessments, and maintain field survey stations (e.g., acoustics, baited camera stations).
• Collaborate with USFS and GBI staff to support vegetation management and environmental compliance measures.

Administrative duties such as meeting with GBI staff, leading report writing, receipt management, managing crew members and team dynamics. Additional tasks may include survey equipment setup, data quality assurance, and training.

LOCATION:

Various National Forests - Sequoia, Eldorado, LTBMU, Tahoe, Mendocino, Six Rivers, Stanislaus, Plumas, Boise & Payette National Forests

WORK SCHEDULE:

Projects begin as early as March and end as late as November. Season schedules are project specific. Most Wildlife Crew positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. Many crews will work a varied schedule including nighttime surveys. Some crews may work 8 days on 4 days off schedules.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

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

Tech Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week Housing provided for most positions. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time,onsite position includes company-paid premium 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.

TSA employees who serve a term under 52 weeks in duration, and have a thirty (30) day or less break between terms, and then sign a second term that (cumulatively) becomes greater than 52 weeks of employment, will be eligible for the >1-year TSA benefits (equivalent to Regular full-time employees). Employees serving a term under 90 days are not eligible for paid holidays or sick leave time.

Qualifications:

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.

Lead - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience in conducting wildlife surveys:

Strong Understanding of and experience in standard field methods for wildlife surveys, status assessments, and habitat characterization

Experience and ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols;:

Ability to coordinate daily field operations, manage crew safety, and adapt work plans in response to field conditions and project needs Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and project partners Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, possibly including some weekends, nights, 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

Experience leading crews in the field preferred:

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

Technician - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience in conducting wildlife surveys:

Familiarity with 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, possibly including some weekends, nights, holidays

Skills in GPS navigation and map reading:

Ability to follow field instructions, work safely, and contribute effectively to team-based field projects 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

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or related field, with fieldwork experience OR one season of wildlife fieldwork experience.

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. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.

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 job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

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.