Wildlife Team Lead, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River District

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking Wildlife Team Leads to contribute to the wildlife program alongside Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River District Staff.

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

Start Date: 03/18/2024

Estimated End Date: 10/18/2024

*a 30-week minimum commitment is required, position may be extended into the fall dependent on workload and funding*

Location Details/Description: Yuba River Ranger District (Camptonville, California)

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 Wildlife Team Lead will be supervised by district biologists and expected to perform extensive field work. Field work will include a considerable amount of hiking and some backpacking, with morning, daytime and night surveys. This position will require close coordination with the district biologists, 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 meet priorities set by biologists. The crew lead will co-lead with a returning crew lead and will be responsible for the above as well as managing crew schedules, day to day assignments, data, equipment, and other administrative tasks as needed. Crew leads stay in close contact with the supervisor to relay results, field problems and respond to shifting priorities.

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
• Support other projects and responsibilities; which may include children's educational days, OHV impact monitoring, bird box placement and monitoring, making GIS maps, 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: Tue- Fri, or Mon-Thur 10 hours/day. Work times vary based on species being surveyed for that week. Shifts may start as early as 5 am for early morning shifts and end as late as 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 $978.50/week 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 https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7-20 per day by the Forest. A Housing Allowance of up to $265/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Gear Allowance: New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases, and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250. Eligible gear for this position may include boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

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. Terrain in the North Yuba canyon is steep and very dense at the lower elevations. Navigating and hiking off-trail is a must.

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 will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

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)
• Strong communication skills. Driven to seek out clarification and answers when necessary and convey plans and priorities to the crew to promote safety, productivity, and efficiency.
• 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:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a masters degree in natural resources and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as amphibian and/or raptor field work
• Experience with driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions
• Experience with office tasks including data entry, compiling data, and creating maps using ArcMap and ArcPro

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, driving, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for [use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and navigate outdoors at night, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. Helpful to have normal color vision but not required
• Hearing Requirements: must be able to hear spotted owl calls (low frequency), as well as goshawk calls (high frequency).
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently carries 15-20 lbs of gear for regular fieldwork. May occasionally carry heavier loads for overnight backpacking trips
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working outside under adverse weather conditions and in various climates, sitting for extended periods of time, possibly including foot travel over snow.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

• Hazard specifics: Situational awareness and ability to make wise safety decisions. Knowing your own limits and capabilities and communicating those to your crew leads and supervisors.

• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Tahoe National Forest or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Tahoe National Forest. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Tahoe National Forest, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to USFS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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 Tahoe NF Project Coordinator, Al Richert, at arichert@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 Team Lead, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River District Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC