Lead Wildlife Team Member and Wildlife Team Members, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba District

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking One Lead Wildlife Team Member and Four Wildlife Team Members to contribute to the wildlife program alongside the Tahoe National Forest, Yuba District Staff. This opportunity is intended for candidates with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: 03/27/2023 (CL), 4/03/2023 (CM)

Estimated End Date: 12/1/2023 (CL) , 10/13/2023(CM) *a 28- 36 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Camptonville, CA Yuba River Ranger District

The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.

For more information about Tahoe National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe/

Position Overview: The ACE Wildlife Member will be expected to perform extensive field work. Field work will include a considerable amount of hiking and some backpacking, with morning, daytime and night surveys. The ACE Member will conduct California spotted owl, northern goshawk and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog surveys. Additional survey work may include Bald Eagle, carnivore cameras, California red-legged frog, bat outflight, peregrine falcon and pika. This position will require close coordination with the project leader, but most duties will be performed independently and in pairs, in the backcountry, which at times will require the member to take initiative and problem solve to determine priorities of their crew. The crew lead will co-lead with a returning crew lead and will be responsible for the above as well as managing day to day tasks, data, and equipment. Crew leads stay in close contact with the supervisor to relay results, field problems and respond to shifting priorities.

The Yuba River Wildlife Department is one that strives for excellent communication and compassion towards team members. This is done through weekly meetings and check ins. We work to develop these skills and professional skills in our field as team members.

Project Objectives:

• Conduct California spotted owl, northern goshawk and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog surveys alongside a 6-8 member crew. A small portion of the surveys will be done by backpacking for 2-5 day trips, on trails, with a partner. Additional species surveys may include: Bald Eagle, carnivore cameras, California red-legged frog, bat outflight, willow flycatcher and pika.
• Complete surveys to protocol and provide accurate and timely documentation. This position will require close coordination with the project leader, but most duties will be performed independently, which at times will require the member to take initiative and problem solve to determine priorities of their crew.
• Support other projects and responsibilities; including children's educational days, OHV impact monitoring, bird box placement and monitoring, making GIS maps and writing survey reports, and quality control of data.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Usual schedule is four days, ten hours a day Tue- Fri schedule. Work times vary based on species being surveyed for that week. Shifts may start as early as 5 am for early morning shifts and 2 am for late night shifts. Week days may shift in the early season due to weather and will shift in July for youth education events.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $950/week (CL) and $920/week (CM) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. Housing assistance of up to $250/week will be available by ACE. The FS may have barrack options or government housing options available at a set rate, in Downieville, CA.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training the USFS may include; CPR/First Aid, Avenza and Field Maps, field data collection systems. Additionally the following are based on project needs/availability/ candidate skill level : summary report writing, UTV, Trailer driving, and possible cross-training with other departments.

Qualifications

Applicants will hold a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with wildlife in the field. Individuals with Master's degrees are also highly encouraged to apply. This is a highly demanding outdoor job that requires effective communication skills, substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.

ACE Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

USFS Required:

• Ability and experience hiking over remote, steep, and rocky terrain in adverse weather and field conditions (biting insects, poison oak, thick vegetation, snow).
• Ability and Experience camping in the outdoors.
• Experience and/or training in ArcGIS
• Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols
• Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of biological science sufficient to analyze findings
• Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis
• Ability to work independently at day or night including hiking, driving, following survey protocol
• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and paper maps
• Flexibility in switching between day and night survey work (maintaining appropriate work/rest ratio)
• Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft products

Preferred:

• Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions
• Experience with amphibian and/or raptor field work
• Experience with office tasks include data entry, summarizing and compiling data

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Celia Demers at cdemers@usaconservation.org

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Lead Wildlife Team Member and Wildlife Team Members, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba District Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC