Wildlife Technician - KWP, Maui, Hawaii 701-223-12N

The Company

First Wind is an independent wind energy company exclusively focused on the development, financing, construction, ownership and operation of utility-scale wind energy projects in the United States. Based in Boston, First Wind has developed and currently operates wind energy projects in the Northeast, the West and Hawaii.  First Wind is committed to the communities it works with to achieve the most efficient and economic wind generation projects in North America. 

Job Purpose

Kaheawa Wind Power (KWP) is the first wind energy project in the United States to implement a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) under state and federal endangered species laws.   A second project (KWP II) is planned adjacent to the existing project and will be implementing similar provisions under a new HCP.  Key provisions of both HCPs and associated state and federal permits include intensive on-site monitoring to document fatalities of covered wildlife; using acoustic instrumentation, analysis software, and other methodologies to monitor and document activity levels of bats; and supporting other conservation measures to ensure continued avoidance and minimization of wildlife impacts at the project site.  Other requirements may include providing off-site support for wildlife mitigation initiatives on Maui.  

Principal Responsibilities

• ·         50% of responsibilities require performing systematic searches on foot in rough terrain in designated management areas to document downed wildlife (birds and bats) while following established protocols ensuring full compliance with state and federal permits.  

• ·         Conduct carcass removal studies, searcher efficiency studies, and wildlife activity surveys following established and industry accepted protocols.  Referencing relevant scientific literature, become familiar with these standards and rationale and be able to incorporate improvements as necessary.

• ·         Assist with native plant restoration and site re-vegetation efforts including plant procurement, layout and installation.

• ·         Record detailed field notes, create and maintain computer data bases, summarize and analyze monitoring data, and generate periodic and annual reports of results, all of which are subject to federal and state wildlife agency scrutiny.

• ·         Coordinate volunteers, contractors, and community activities. 

• ·         Maintain a clean and organized working environment.

Qualifications

• ·         Bachelors preferred, minimum of an Associate’s degree in an applicable field required (biological science, wildlife ecology/management, environmental biology, natural resources, or a closely related discipline).

• ·         2-3 years of professional work experience related to natural resource monitoring and regulatory compliance, wildlife and/or habitat impact, and ecological assessment methodologies.

• ·         Proficient with GIS and GPS and with the interpretation and use of map and earth imagery data products.  Proficient with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel and Word.  Demonstrate an ability to independently learn unfamiliar software.

• ·         Prior experience conducting wildlife and/or fishery surveys and knowledge of associated methodologies used to document natural resource regulatory compliance.

• ·         Highly self-motivated, able to work independently and in a team setting, and willing to occasionally work extended hours in the field.

• ·         Ability to safely perform field survey work, operate hand and power tools, and exercise good judgment in remote locations. Most work will be during the day, occasional night work and other atypical hours will be required.

• ·         Communicate effectively and regularly with supervisors, project operations staff, contractors, and regulatory agency personnel.

• ·         Demonstrate an ability to learn, understand, and implement the provisions of HCPs, state and federal regulatory requirements pertaining to threatened and endangered species, and other conservation and environmental permitting requirements, protocols, and procedures.