National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.
Job Description
Position: Wildlife Biologist II – Red Tree Vole (1-2 positions)
Reports to: Sr. Research Scientist – Western Forest Wildlife Ecologist
Work Week: Exempt position; 40+ hours per week to meet work demands
Revised: February 10, 2020
Duty Station: Western Oregon
Duration: Project dependent, March to October (apx. 7 months)
Salary: $3,000 – $3,200 per month; commensurate with experience
Field work will take place in the rugged and scenic Coast Range of western Oregon. Work will involve physically demanding work in challenging conditions (heat, cold, rain, sun, steep slopes, loose rock, logging slash, stinging insects, hazardous plants), with heavy loads, potentially working long days including some weekends, driving on logging roads, and navigating through difficult forest terrain. Primary duties of crew members will consist of ground-based nest searches and arboreal tree climbing in a safe and efficient manner.
Essential Job Functions:
1. Climb multiple (e.g., up to 8) trees daily, following long, strenuous hikes (2 miles or more) into stands carrying ropes and safety equipment weighing 40 lb. or more.
2. Train crew to conduct red tree vole ground based transect surveys and tree climbing surveys.
3. Train crew to set and check remote cameras and navigate to remote locations safely.
4. Coordinate survey schedules and workflow for 1-3 other crew members.
5. Work closely with primary investigators and land managers to facilitate a successful data collection effort and positive crew dynamics.
6. Conduct red tree vole surveys using ground-based survey transects for nests and tree climbing.
7. Set and check remote cameras (e.g., Bushnell Aggressor) arboreally.
8. Use forest survey equipment (e.g. hypsometers, DBH tapes) to collect detailed vegetation/habitat measurements and information in multiple study sites.
9. Work outdoors in inclement weather, often in recently harvested forest stands. Must be able to get to and work from remote locations throughout Western Oregon, drive unimproved forest roads, read maps, navigate through a forested landscape, and relate well with the public.
10. Gather data using specific protocols, enter data with both tablets and Excel, create summaries of data and work accomplished.
11. Willingness to have a flexible work schedule and travel between study location – Camping may be required.
12. Demonstrate an ability to work effectively with others toward meeting the goals of the National Council of Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI).
13. Develop a familiarity with NCASI’s mission, policies, practices, and procedures.
14. Become acquainted with the environmental issues of the forest products industry.
15. Read, absorb, process, and communicate complex information. Assist the supervisor in responding to technical queries by NCASI clients and others in a competent and timely manner.
Additional Responsibilities:
1. Undertake additional activities as assigned by Supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Past tree climbing experience, equivalent of current USFS tree climbing certification.
2. Bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences discipline or in a related environmental field, two or more seasons of similar experience, and knowledge of red tree vole ecology.
3. Minimum 1 season of Marbled Murrelet or Red Tree Vole experience, preferably with multiple seasons of field experience in the Oregon Coast range.
4. Must have driving record which can be approved by Federal Agencies to drive government vehicles and be insured at standard rates.
5. Data entry and management experience (Microsoft Excel) and GIS experience
Additional Qualifications:
1. Prior land navigation and remote field experience.
2. Experience with red tree vole surveys, transect and climbing.
3. Experience with remote camera deployments.
4. Prior experience identifying vegetation (trees, shrubs) in the Pacific Northwest
To Apply: Please send cover letter, resume, and 3 references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses to: Laurie Clark, NCASI, 8769 Hwy 42, Tenmile, OR 97481, preferably delivered electronically to: lclark@ncasi.org with “Red tree vole application – Bio II†in the subject line. Applicant review will begin mid-February 2020 and continue until the position is filled. NCASI is an equal opportunity employer.