Seasonal Technician -- Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (Arizona and New Mexico)
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (Private) | https://www.birdconservancy.org/
Details
Application Deadline:
06/30/2024
Published:
04/16/2024
Starting Date:
between 4/16/2024 and 7/1/2024
Ending Date:
between 7/12/2024 and 7/17/2024
Hours per Week:
35 - 55
Salary:
$17.50 to $18.50 per hour
Education Required:
Some Undergraduate
Experience Required:
at least 1 year
Location:
Arizona
Description
Title:
Seasonal Technician -- Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring
FLSA Status: Seasonal / Non-exempt / Hourly
Reports to: Avian Ecologist and Crew Leader
Direct Reports: None
Location: New Mexico and Arizona
Salary: $17.50 hourly, $18.50 for returning employees. Limited overtime hours may be required. In
addition to pay, reimbursement for project-related travel and lodging up will be provided.
Duration: 14 weeks (early April into July)
Benefits: Not eligible
Start Date: flexible
Purpose:
Purpose:
The seasonal technicians will conduct playback surveys to monitor Mexican Spotted Owl
populations in U.S. National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico
About the Organization:
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conserves birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science,
education and stewardship. Our work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond. Our
mission is advanced through sound science, achieved through empowering people, realized through stewardship
and sustained through cross-border collaborations. We monitor and identify population trends, research habitat
needs, engage landowners and managers in wildlife and habitat stewardship, and inspire audiences of all ages to
be better stewards of the land. Together, we are improving native bird populations, the land, and the lives of people.
Learn more about our work and programs at our website: www.birdconservancy.org
Position Overview:
Experience a season of adventure surveying for Mexican Spotted Owls on US National Forests throughout Arizona
and New Mexico. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is hiring 9 field technicians that will travel within a small team
across the southwestern US to conduct Spotted Owl playback surveys. Technicians follow a strict protocol of
broadcasting Spotted Owl calls and listening for responses, adding to a long-term monitoring dataset that informs
the regional population trends of the owl. This is a unique opportunity to work on a federally-threatened species and
to become intricately familiar with southwestern landscapes. Successful candidates will be passionate about wildlife
conservation, comfortable hiking long distances off-trail at night, and enjoy living and working remotely for several
months at a time. Work days can be long and strenuous, and the work schedule is highly variable with extensive
driving time. Attendance to a 4-day training during the beginning of the field season is mandatory. Technicians must
be able to learn to identify all southwestern owls by sight and sound upon completion of the training. Review this
blog post to hear about this position from a previous technician
, and this blog post from the Project Coordinator to learn about why we do this work
.
The first week of the field season, you will participate in an intensive training session with the Avian Ecologist and
Crew Leaders. It will cover protocols, avian identification, safety protocols, GPS navigation and data entry.
Fieldwork Responsibilities:
Work ~35-60 hours/week with highly variable hours (overtime pay provided); expect long hours in the field.
Fieldwork conducted in hitch schedule: 10 days on/4 days off with limited flexibility for personal needs
Travel and work with a field partner during a hitch, then rotate partners within a small team of 4 people
Drive on remote, 4wd roads and hiking on and off trail in steep rugged terrain on a regular basis
Navigate to survey site using combination GPS, compass and map during the day and at night
Car camp daily, often without cell service or facilities, return to camp late at night from surveys
Occasionally overnight backpack in remote roadless/wilderness areas
Enter data, update timesheets and worklogs, and research how to access survey locations
Check in frequently with the Crew Leader and be available by cell or by satellite phone (provided)
Equipment and reimbursements:
You will need to provide your own smart phone (for data entry in the field) and laptop computer (for timesheets after
a hitch), as well as car and backpacking camping gear. You may drive your own 4WD/AWD vehicle (with
reimbursement for work-related mileage at the federal rate) or we will provide a rental vehicle (and reimburse gas
expenses, must be 21 and over). We will provide a satellite phone, GPS unit, and other work-related survey and
safety equipment. You are responsible for your own food; we will reimburse lodging expenses up to $125/week.
Required qualifications:
Applicants should be enthusiastic, physically fit, enjoy travel, able to work long hours in the field
Ability to hike up to 8+ miles/day while carrying a 30-lbs backpack in strenuous terrain
Willing to stay up late at night, and face hot/cold/rainy/windy weather in the outdoors
Comfortable with likely encounters with hazardous wildlife including bison, black bears, mountain lions,
rattlesnakes, and venomous insects
Experience driving 4WD vehicles on unpaved roads, comfortable driving 1-4 hours a day
Able to work independently with multiple days of solitude and enthusiasm for 3.5 months of fieldwork.
Ability to identify or learn to identify nocturnal avian species of the southwest by sight and sound
A valid driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and clean driving record
Must pass a background check and DMV screening
Desired additional experience:
Demonstrated experience with long distance hiking, backpacking, and navigating off-trail
Prior fieldwork experience conducting avian or other wildlife surveys
Experience using a GPS, topographic maps, compass, navigation apps (such as Avenza, GAIA, Caltopo)
A personal vehicle with 4WD/AWD and mid to high clearance is highly desirable but not required
Basic first aid & wilderness first aid training
Professional or life experience interacting with private landowners
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse work
environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, gender, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or
veteran status. Studies have shown that underrepresented groups, including women and people of color, are less
likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in
finding the best candidate for the job from diverse backgrounds and with attention to lived experience. Bird
Conservancy of the Rockies will consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and
experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly
about your background and skill set for the role.
To Apply:
Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in a single PDF document to:
spottedowl@birdconservancy.org with “LastName_MSO2024_technician” in the subject line and document file
name. Please include in your cover letter: (1) how you meet the qualifications; (2) why you are interested in the
position and (3) where you saw the job posting. Applications will be reviewed upon submission and open
positions will be filled as qualified applicants are found
Contact
Adrienne Cunningham
spottedowl@birdconservancy.org (preferred contact method)