Seasonal Technician — Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (up to 10 positions)

Job Overview

Title:  Seasonal Technician — Mexican Spotted Owl Monitoring (up to 10 positions)

FLSA Status:  Seasonal / Non-exempt / Hourly

Reports to:  Avian Ecologist and Crew Leader

Location:    New Mexico and Arizona

Wage:  $15.00 – 17.00 hourly, depending on experience. Limited overtime hours may be required

Duration:   12 – 16 weeks (early April into July)

Benefits:    Not eligible

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.

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:

Please see the job requirement details. 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 beginning in late January 2022 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)

COVID-19 Policy:

Bird Conservancy is committed to protecting and enhancing the welfare of its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a condition of employment, all newly hired employees must provide to Bird Conservancy’s human resources representative proof of full vaccination at employment start date.  In addition, Bird Conservancy may require employees to be tested for COVID-19 under certain conditions, including but not limited to, exposure to a person infected with the virus, experience of COVID-19 symptoms or travel outside of the assigned work area.  All employees must follow Bird Conservancy’s other safety protocols for COVID-19, which are based on current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.  Any proof of vaccination or test results submitted to Bird Conservancy will remain confidential.