Shrew Wildlife Lead Technician

Shrew Wildlife Lead Technician - Catalina Island Conservancy

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Catalina Island Conservancy, is seeking one Lead Shew Technician to contribute to Catalina Island Conservancy Shrew Project along side Catalina Island Wildlife Biologists and Director of Conservation.

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

Position Overview: The lead shrew technician will be responsible for overseeing the pitfall trapping project for the Catalina Island shrew under the supervision of the Conservancy wildlife biologists. Duties will involve significant field work during pitfall trapping in late winter through spring. The lead technician will assist in implementing and surveying pitfall trap surveys as well as data management and compiling summaries for reports. This position will help oversee other ACE technicians and members, and volunteers in both field and office work. This position may also involve other necessary tasks for assigned wildlife projects and activities including coverboard surveys for herpetofauna and seabird surveys. Depending on timing, the lead technician may also receive training and conduct a variety of surveys including (but not limited to): island fox mortality assessments, remote cameras, avian point counts, bat acoustic surveys, and assisting the plant program with restoration projects. In addition, the lead technician will be trained in driving 4WD vehicles on very steep and rough roads, as well as using GPS units, occasional ESRI ArcGIS use and assisting with cataloging a backlog of approximately 50 years of data. Equipment maintenance and other duties will be conducted as directed by Conservancy staff. This position will likely include a split schedule that includes both early morning and evening hours.

The Lead Shrew Technician will be assigned tasks in support of Conservation Department wildlife programs, projects, activities and/or facilities. Responsibilities will be added as skill-level increases. Tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assisting wildlife biologists with ensuring field logistics are organized and carried out on the pitfall trapping project and other concurrent wildlife projects such as herpetofauna coverboard surveys and seabird surveys.
• Helping oversee technicians, interns, and volunteer with office and field work under the supervision of the wildlife biologists.
• Recording, proofing, and organizing data on small mammals and herpetofauna captured in pitfall traps.
• Assisting with investigating island fox mortalities as needed.
• Identifying herpetofauna species and record occurrence.
• Hiking over steep terrain carrying cumbersome field gear.
• Ability to work long hours (12+) under hot and fast-paced conditions.

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.

Location Details/Description: Catalina Island Conservancy, Santa Catalina Island, California.

Santa Catalina Island is one of the southern Channel Islands and is located 30 miles off the coast of Southern California. It's known for its wildlife, dive sites and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak. Catalina Island Conservancy, founded in 1972 as a nonprofit organization, is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California. It protects 88 percent of Catalina Island, including more than 62 miles of unspoiled beaches and secluded coves-the longest publicly accessible stretch of undeveloped coastline left in Southern California. Catalina Island is home to more than 60 plant, animal, and insect species found nowhere else in the world.

For more information regarding the Catalina Island Conservancy (CIC) please visit www.catalinaconservancy.org

Start Date: January 16, 2023 (flexible for right candidate)

Estimated End Date: July 30, 2023

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Schedule: Schedule will be dependent on project and season. It will include a split schedule of both early morning and evening hours, with some occasional weekend work. Members are expected to work up to 40 hours per week.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided Catalina Island Conservancy housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Please note, housing is located in a remote environment.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a B.S. in wildlife, natural resources, or related field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Writing, research and office administration experience.
• Familiarity with California flora, fauna, natural communities, ecology and natural history desirable.
• 2+ years of wildlife field/research experience and at least one season leading a wildlife project that required being detail-oriented and organized.
• Prior experience training others in field work techniques and directing fieldwork.
• Prior experience with data management and proofing data.
• Prior experience or desire to be a part of a high functioning and cohesive team working towards a common goal.
• Prior experience with pitfall traps and working with small mammals or herpetofauna.
• Knowledge and prior experience with wildlife research techniques (i.e., VHF telemetry, remote camera experience, bat acoustic data, outboard motor skills, etc.).
• Wildlife identification skills for Santa Catalina Island species including small mammals, herpetofauna and invertebrates.
• Ability to use common software packages (ARCgis)

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/.

Please include a document detailing each species you have experience handling. For each species please include (when possible):

• Whether you were the lead or assistant during the captures
• Approximate number of individuals handled
• Other procedures conducted during captures

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 ACE EPIC Member Manager, Elyse Cogburn at ecogburn@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 Shrew Wildlife Lead Technician Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC