*Overview: *The Wildlife Technician position will split time between
Sequoia Riverland Trust (SRT) and the Carrizo Plain Ecosystem Project
(CPEP), a long-term ecological study. The Carrizo is the largest remnant of
the San Joaquin grassland ecosystem and contains many endangered plants and
animals.
Sequoia Riverland Trust: The Wildlife Technician will provide assistance
with management and monitoring of wildlife and plant populations at habitat
mitigation sites in the Carrizo Plain in central California. SRT is
currently responsible for managing and/or monitoring mitigation sites
ranging from 1.9 acres to 5,500 acres in size. Livestock grazing is the
primary vegetation management tool on many of these sites.
Carrizo Plain Ecosystem Project: The Wildlife Technician will work in
partnership with the Crew Leader to oversee and conduct a variety of animal
surveys as part of a long-term food web and climate change study in the
Carrizo Plain National Monument. Employee will co-supervise a team of 2-3
people and will conduct a variety of surveys which may include
mark-recapture of endangered kangaroo rats, vegetation sampling,
mark-recapture surveys of threatened squirrels, seed cache monitoring,
visual line transects for reptiles, pitfall trapping for invertebrates, and
spotlight surveys for predators and lagomorphs. The wildlife technician
will also collaborate on the dismantling of precipitation plot equipment
and dissemination of the equipment.
For general information on Sequoia Riverlands Trust please visit
www.sequoiariverlands.org.
For general information on the Carrizo Plain Ecosystem Project please visit
www.carrizoscience.org.
*PRIMARY Duties:*
sEQUOIA rIVERLAND tRUST mitigation site monitoring and management
– Monitor wildlife and habitat conditions on mitigation sites, with an
emphasis on special status wildlife species typical of the Carrizo Plain
and San Joaquin Valley. Monitoring activities include but are not limited
to:
– Avian point counts surveys
– Spotlight surveys
– Camera station surveys
– Small mammal mark-recapture
– Special status plant surveys
– RDM and habitat condition assessment
– Follow established field protocols and keep detailed records and data
sheets. Maintain monitoring records to enable easy retrieval and display of
results.
– Assist with monitoring land use restriction agreements on parcels
within the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
=C2=B7 Collect and provide input to periodic reports required for each
mitigation site.
SRT Supervision: The Wildlife Technician will Report directly to SRT=E2=80=99s
Conservation Biologist on SRT related duties.
CARRIZO PLAIN ECOSYSTEM PROJECT:
– Oversee day to day operations and project functioning
– Removal of precipitation plot equipment
– Dissemination of project equipment
– Plot maintenance
– Assist with mark-recapture of Giant Kangaroo Rats
– Mark-recapture of San Joaquin Antelope Squirrels
– Visual line transect surveys for reptiles
– Pitfall trapping and identification of invertebrates
– Spotlighting surveys for predators and lagomorphs
– Vegetation sampling
– Data entry and other duties as assigned
– Seed cache monitoring
– Possible additional projects include: Soil and precipitation
monitoring, cow patty counts
CPEP Supervision/Coordination: The Wildlife Technician will report
directly to Program Manager and will oversee 2-3 interns in coordination
with Crew Leader on CPEP related project.
*WORK SETTING: *
The Wildlife Technician=E2=80=99s work will be focused in the Carrizo Plain area
and the west side of the southern San Joaquin Valley in central California.
The primary mitigation sites are in a lightly populated area with no
amenities. The region has a =E2=80=9CMediterranean=E2=80=9D climate, with cool, moist
winters and very hot, dry summers.
The Wildlife Technician will spend a significant portion of their time
doing field work, sometimes in remote areas with rugged terrain, poorly
maintained roads and limited communications. Work schedule is seasonally
variable, but will require, at times, pre-dawn work, nighttime work, and
long days.
Although most of the work will be in the Carrizo Plain Area, the Wildlife
Technician may periodically travel to other SRT holdings that span from
western Merced County to northern Los Angeles County.
*DESIRED Skills & Attributes:*
=C2=B7 Degree in wildlife biology, wildlife management,
conservation biology or related field
=C2=B7 Previous work with inventory or monitoring of wildlife
populations
– Familiarity with the special status wildlife species typical of the
Carrizo Plain and San Joaquin Valley (e.g., giant kangaroo rat, San Joaquin
kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, pronghorn antelope, Swainson=E2=80=99s hawk);
or demonstrated ability to obtain such knowledge in a timely manner.
Preferred applicants will have familiarity with the plants and animals of
California
– Strong interest in deserts and arid regions, as well as in the species
being studied
– Experience with the following field techniques is also helpful: small
mammal live trapping and handling, distance sampling, and pitfall trapping
– Strong interest in natural history, conservation, and/or management
– Ability to do fairly strenuous field work such as hiking in steep
terrain or driving on rough unpaved roads in harsh weather conditions.
Must be in good physical condition
– Experience with or able to tolerate long work days, hot and cold field
conditions and night work
– Ability to maintain work quality and a positive attitude during
challenging field conditions is essential
– Practical knowledge of mapping, navigation and data management tools
such as GPS, Arc GIS, topographic maps, aerial imagery, Proficiency in
Microsoft Office
– Previous experience working independently in the field, ability to be
flexible and live and work well with others in an isolated setting while
juggling schedules for multiple projects.
– Ability to clearly communicate priorities and performance expectations
to interns, co-workers, and volunteers
– High degree of integrity and professionalism needed to maintain
confidentiality of sensitive information
– Previous supervisory experience
– Strong conflict management skills
– Valid driver=E2=80=99s license and operation of 4WD vehicles.
– High level of responsibility, organization, and motivation
*COMPENSATION: * This is a grant funded position. Compensation will be
based on experience and qualifications.
*PLEASE NOTE: *RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT PROVIDED FOR THIS POSITION.
*DATES*: March through October
*LOCATION*: Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (60 miles east of
San Luis Obispo)
*WORK SCHEDULE*: Approx. 40 hrs per week, variable throughout season
*to apply: *Please email your resume, cover letter, salary requirements and
three references as a single Word or PDF attachment. Send applications to
Marilyn Martin, Camdilla Wirth and Rachel Endicott via email:
marilyn@sequoiariverlands.org, camdilla@sequoiariverlands.org and
rendicott@berkeley.edu). Please state =E2=80=9CWildlife Technician=E2=80=9D in the subject
line. Emails without this information may not be considered. Please apply
by February 13th, 2017.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. We will contact qualified candidates to set up
interviews.
Sequoia Riverlands Trust and The Carrizo Plain Ecosystem Project are equal
opportunity employers. We support a diverse workforce.