Wildlife Research Technician

Wildlife Research Technician - Catalina Island Conservancy

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Catalina Island Conservancy, is seeking one Wildlife Research 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 wildlife research technician will work extensively with the Conservancy wildlife biologists and lead wildlife technician to conduct a diverse set of wildlife survey and management objectives across the island. The technician will get a chance to work on a wide array of projects including surveys for the elusive Catalina Island shrew, seabird surveys, breeding bird surveys/point counts, deer spotlight surveys as well as bat emergence counts, acoustic surveys, and mist netting. Depending on timing, the technician may also receive training on a variety of survey techniques including (but not limited to): radio telemetry, island fox mortality assessments, identifying individual bison, and may also assist with the management of exclosures designed to keep non-native bison and deer from eating native vegetation. In addition, members will be trained in driving 4WD vehicles on very rough roads. Using GPS units, occasional ESRI ArcGIS use and assisting with cataloging a backlog of approximately 50 years of data. Responsibilities include:

• Deploy remote camera traps and sort resulting photos by species.
• Assist with vehicle telemetry for VHF collared Catalina Island foxes.
• Assist with nocturnal spotlight surveys for deer.
• Assist with nocturnal spotlight surveys for seabirds from an inflatable Zodiak raft.
• Assist with emergence counts for bat colonies and acoustic surveys.
• Assist with point-counts for the breeding bird survey.
• Assist Conservancy biologists with locating radio-collared foxes using telemetry techniques.
• Investigate island fox mortalities.
• Enter and/or manage data and generate summaries or reports including trapping and telemetry data into project databases.
• Perform assigned administrative (e.g., scheduling, correspondence, filing, purchasing, billing) and logistical (e.g., vehicle and equipment maintenance) tasks.
• Digitize and organize Conservation-related files in filing cabinets.
• Conduct literature reviews which may include gathering data and reports.
• Assist with the production of grant and funding proposals.
• Perform other duties as needed or assigned. Management reserves the right to assign and re-assign work at its discretion.
• Hike over steep terrain around exclosure fences to locate and repair holes caused by bison and deer.

Research and management of natural biodiversity is one of the key conservation challenges of our time and is even more important when undertaken within an island ecosystem. Our objective is to survey and manage all species of wildlife found on Santa Catalina Island by continuing previous research and conducting novel studies. The majority of time will be spent on the Catalina Island shrew remote camera project, seabird surveys, and fox telemetry.

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: August 12, 2023 *a 30-week minimum commitment is required *

Schedule: The typical schedule is Five 8-hour days a week though schedules may vary as needed. A Four day 10-hour schedule may be necessary for more remote work. Weekend work and split shifts will be required occasionally, particularly for weekend wildlife surveys.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/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: The Conservancy will provide interpretative tours, talks, presentations, or other similar development opportunities to enhance the experiences of ACE's technicians. Conservancy staff will identify appropriate learning opportunities pertaining to the Island's natural and cultural history and allow time for ACE technicians to learn the ecological significance of the project to be performed. The Conservancy will emphasize providing an enriching, rewarding, and educational experience for the ACE technicians during the execution of this project. The specific training an ACE technician will receive will be determined by the season of service. Training will include, but not be limited to, an in-depth education on wildlife species and management including research techniques and tools and use of GIS/GPS equipment for navigational and data collection purposes.

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.
• Knowledge and understanding of wildlife research techniques;
• Wildlife identification skills for Santa Catalina Island species including birds, mammals, and invertebrates;
• Effective communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences; ability to work alone or in a group;
• Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation in steep terrain in temperatures over 90 degrees;
• Experience in VHF telemetry and wildlife handling;
• Deep desire to be a part of a high functioning and cohesive team working towards a common goal.

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 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 Wildlife Research Technician Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC