Wildlife Biologist Fellow- Bryce Canyon National Park

Wildlife Biologist

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Bryce Canyon National Park, (NPS), is seeking one Wildlife Biologist Member to serve with the Bryce Canyon National Park's Resources Division and assist NPS Resources Staff with wildlife survey, monitoring and data analysis.

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

Start Date: 11/07/2022

End Date: 11/03/2023

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location: Sitting high on a forested plateau in south-central Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its concentration of natural rock bridges, windows, and, especially, colorful limestone hoodoos-improbably-balanced rock spires that erode out of towering cliffs and fins. In addition to the hoodoos and other exposed rock outcrops, the park contains large swaths of ponderosa and pinyon-juniper forest, punctuated by sagebrush meadows and laced with typically dry drainages. The area receives about 16" of precipitation a year, half in the form of winter snow and the remainder in dramatic summer monsoon storms. Because the elevation extends from 7,000-9,000 feet, summer temperatures remain comparatively cool, rarely reaching the 90s and dipping into the 40s overnight. Small grocery stores and amenities are available in nearby communities, but the nearest larger resources are in Cedar City, a 1.5-hour drive away. Meanwhile, the park is surrounded by millions of acres of public land and abundant recreation opportunities, including Dixie National Forest, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument, and Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks. The park itself contains 35,835 acres, 20,810 of which are Recommended Wilderness, and features about 70 miles worth of maintained trails.

For more information about Bryce Canyon, please visit Basic Information - Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $820/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Park housing will be provided at the expense to the ACE Member. A monthly rental payment will be due each month.

Position Description: The Wildlife Biologist ACE Member will be aiding Bryce Canyon National Park through.

• Initiate, survey for, collaborate on, and consult with USFWS for Biological Assessments (BA) to achieve compliance on park projects under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
• Prepare for and lead park interns in the surveying and acoustic monitoring initiative for the threatened Utah Prairie Dog, endangered Mexican Spotted Owl, endangered California Condor, and Peregrine Falcon.
• Summarize field data to produce scientific technical reports on surveyed wildlife, including threatened and endangered wildlife species.
• Monitor Park projects and construction activities while serving as the biological science point of contact for wildlife concerns, especially for the threatened Utah Prairie Dog.
• Assist in Integrated Pest Management activities, including bat removals/exclusion, and rodent exclusion from housing and park buildings for the wellbeing and safety of all park staff and visitors.
• Work with park partners to address resource issues at local, regional, or national level.
• Partner with the Interpretation Division to provide programs, outreach, and educational opportunities to local communities and park visitors.
• Establish a park wildlife monitoring program through, wildlife game cameras, bird and bat sound capture equipment, and visitor and staff wildlife observation.

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.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 
Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a 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.

Qualifications:

Required

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 required criminal history checks.
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

Preferred Skills:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Wildlife Biology.
• Certified in Utah Prairie Dog monitoring to effectively and legally survey for the Utah Prairie Dog.
• Trained in trapping and handling of small rodents, venomous snakes, and threatened/endangered species.
• Ability and willingness to traverse rough and uneven terrain while surveying and inventorying
• Deep interest in Wildlife Biology, specifically; raptors, and Utah Prairie Dog.

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 ACE EPIC Western Programs Manager, Deanna Stark at 719-822-8178 or dstark@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 Wildlife Biologist Fellow Bryce Canyon National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC