In cooperation with the Pacific Southwest Research Station, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting up to three (3) Biological Science (Wildlife) Technicians. The Technician(s) will work independently or as a small team in a forest environment where terrain is often uneven, rocky, and covered with thick vegetation, and where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature. The Technician provides technical assistance to professional and technical research personnel by accomplishing biological support work. The successful applicant(s) needs the skills and confidence to make decisions and exercise independent judgment while implementing field and office tasks. Technician duties include conducting established wildlife-related research activities on the status, behavior and distribution of fishers (Pekania pennanti) which may include: safe capture and handling of fishers and other wildlife, installing and monitoring remote camera stations, aerial and ground radio telemetry work, and helping with scat detection dog surveys. Assignments may involve monitoring the presence and movement of wildlife, data management, equipment maintenance, and facilities upkeep.

Timeline & Compensation:

• Rate of Pay: $15.15/hour
• Timeline: 26-week appointment beginning March 02, 2015, or upon availability
• Possibility of extension contingent on funding and favorable performance review

Location: The Technician(s) will be based in Shaver Lake, CA at the USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station’s Dinkey Creek Work Center in support the Conservation of Biodiversity program.

Qualifications:

Technical requirements:

• A combination of educational and/or field experiences related to wildlife and/or  conservation biology, ecology, environmental science, or related field;
• Knowledge of the basic principles of wildlife biology to collect research data, maintain research databases, evaluate data for accuracy, relevancy, and importance, and relate the significance of the results to the higher objectives to which the activity is related;
• Familiarity with forest carnivore research methodology including but not limited to the use of remote cameras, scat detector dogs, radio telemetry, and live capture and handling;
• Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate biological principles and philosophy to the public;
• Knowledge and ability to monitor management activities and document potential impacts;
• A documented ability to work safely in remote, technically challenging environments
• Ability or willingness to summarize data and field experiences;
• Ability to work as part of a research team, respect the rights of other employees, identify and communicate concerns to supervisors;
• Ability to execute a number of types of sequential, related steps or assemble and deploy several pieces of equipment; and
• Experience working with hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and data collection.

Additional requirements:

• Possess a valid, state-issued drivers license and clean driving record with experience operating 4WD trucks on and off paved roads, including narrow, mountain forest roads – use of ATVs, snowmobiles, and fixed-wing aircraft is to be expected;
• Highly self-motivated and self-reliant with good organizational skills;
• First aid, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Federal red card, or Leave No Trace training/certification, desirable but not required
• Comfortable in remote settings including the front- and backcountry; and
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, be physically fit and able to carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack.

How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should forward a cover letter (including where you found this position posted), their résumé, and a list of three professional references to Amy Gladding, GBI HR Coordinator, at agladding@thegreatbasininstitute.org. Please let us know where you found this position posted. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries, please.

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or religion. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.