Mexican Spotted Owl Technician (2 positions)

About the Organization: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that is headquartered at the Environmental Learning Center at Barr Lake State Park with a satellite office in Fort Collins and fieldwork outposts in the Great Plains Region.  Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conserves birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of Science, Education and Stewardship. Job Purpose: The seasonal technicians will participate in research activities to estimate occupancy rates of Mexican Spotted Owls as well as other research projects pertaining to Mexican Spotted Owl population monitoring.

Job Overview

Project/Position Overview:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies conducts long-term occupancy monitoring of the Mexican Spotted owl on National Forests throughout Arizona and New Mexico. In addition, we conduct complimentary research and other projects pertaining to Mexican Spotted Owl survey methods and monitoring.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct nighttime broadcast surveys for Mexican Spotted Owls following established protocols
• Communicate frequently with Crew Leader and Avian Ecologist
• Interact positively and professionally with landowners, locals and agency employees as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references IN ONE DOCUMENT (.pdf or .doc) to [email protected]. Name your application file as follows: Lastname_MSO2022_technician. Applications will be reviewed and positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

• Backcountry experience (including backpacking, off trail navigation, basic survival skills, and grit)
• Ability to hike up to 12 miles a day while carrying a backpack weighing up to 30 pounds
• Attention to detail and ability to exactly follow field protocols
• Ability to learn visual and auditory identification of nocturnal birds
• Ability to travel and work with a partner for up to 10 days at a time
• Ability to maintain a positive disposition in extreme conditions
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Possess a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for spending 3.5 months conducting fieldwork
• Possess or be able to obtain basic first aid certification (Wilderness first aid preferred)
• Driver’s license and 4WD experience preferred

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Capable surveying, hiking, and navigating at night in mountainous terrain, both on- and off-trail, in variable and extreme weather conditions
• Capable and comfortable working in areas with potentially dangerous wildlife (black bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes)
• Able to stand, walk and hike for extended periods of time in uneven terrain carrying a backpack weighing up to 30 pounds
• Capable and comfortable camping and/or backpacking for up to 10 consecutive nights
• Capable of driving on rough roads, dealing with mud, navigating around cattle and barbed-wire fencing

Material and Equipment Directly Used:

• Standard field equipment (e.g., GPS, satellite communication device, broadcast unit, maps, compass and headlamp.
• Standard office equipment (e.g., laptop)
• Standard software (e.g., Excel, Word, Google Earth)