Forestry – Wildlife Biologist Aide (Tahoe Forestry District)

Kate on Conservation; Sonora (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with Company Match

Life Insurance

Job summary

Sierra Pacific Industries is seeking a Wildlife Aide to support our Forestry Division’s wildlife program across Martell, Tahoe, and Sonora districts in California. The role conducts protocol-level wildlife surveys, records high-quality field data, and supports land-management planning and conservation projects.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology or related field, at least two years of field experience, and proficiency with GPS, GIS, and data collection tools.

Qualifications

• Degree in wildlife biology, ecology, forestry or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of wildlife or natural resources field experience.
• Experience with wildlife survey protocols and habitat data collection.
• Experience with map and compass navigation, GPS, tablets, and GIS data collection.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Conduct protocol-level wildlife surveys and collect high-quality field data that support timber harvest planning, conservation agreements, fuel break projects, and other land management activities
• Accurately collect, record, and edit wildlife occurrence and habitat data using the internal wildlife information system
• Identify wildlife to family, genus, and species, and document special status and rare wildlife occurrences
• Record habitat characteristics for project areas and special status wildlife locations
• Support short- and long-term monitoring efforts, and assist with owl banding and amphibian studies as needed
• Track completion of wildlife surveys and assist with end-of-season report writing
• Assist the District Wildlife Biologist with planning, coordinating, and training seasonal field crews
• Work in remote field locations, hike steep slopes over uneven terrain, and complete extensive field work in all weather conditions
• Actively support field operations, including routine overnight and out-of-area survey and project work
• Safely navigate remote forest roads and rough terrain using digital and hard copy maps

Skills

Wildlife surveys

Wildlife identification

GPS & GIS data collection

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, ecology, forestry, natural resources, or closely related field

Tools

GPS

GIS

Tablets

Compass navigation

Job description

At Sierra Pacific Industries, we understand our greatest strength is the people who choose to build a career with us. We are a fourth-generation family-owned company that has grown to be one of the largest lumber and millwork producers in the United States. Our more than 6,000 employees are proud to work at our state-of-the-art sawmills and other facilities, including: manufacturing, custom wood-framed windows, fabrication, millwork, veneer, cogeneration, trucking, forestry, and other operations.

Our more than 2.4 million acres of timberland in the Western United States are sustainably managed by professionals in our Forestry Division. Currently, we are seeking a Wildlife Aide to support the Forestry Division’s wildlife program. The Wildlife Aide conducts protocol-level wildlife surveys and collects occurrence and habitat data that support timber harvest planning, conservation agreements, and other land management activities across our Martell, Tahoe, and Sonora districts.

About the Position

• Conduct protocol-level wildlife surveys and collect high-quality field data that support timber harvest planning, conservation agreements, fuel break projects, and other land management activities
• Accurately collect, record, and edit wildlife occurrence and habitat data using the internal wildlife information system
• Identify wildlife to family, genus, and species, and document special status and rare wildlife occurrences
• Record habitat characteristics for project areas and special status wildlife locations
• Support short- and long-term monitoring efforts, and assist with owl banding and amphibian studies as needed
• Track completion of wildlife surveys and assist with end-of-season report writing
• Assist the District Wildlife Biologist with planning, coordinating, and training seasonal field crews
• Work in remote field locations, hike steep slopes over uneven terrain, and complete extensive field work in all weather conditions
• Actively support field operations, including routine overnight and out-of-area survey and project work
• Safely navigate remote forest roads and rough terrain using digital and hard copy maps

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, forestry, natural resources, or a closely related field
• 2 years’ related wildlife or natural resources field experience
• Field experience with wildlife survey protocols, species identification, and habitat data collection
• Field experience with map and compass navigation, GPS, tablets, and GIS-based data collection
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a 4×4 vehicle on rough terrain and remote forest roads

Why Join Our Team?
Because this is more than an invitation, it’s a commitment to offer opportunities for personal and professional growth to everyone! We ask people to grow with us and make the company even better.

We provide an excellent benefit package including a full Health Benefits Plan (including medical, dental, and vision) with low-cost premiums, a 401(k) with Company Match, additional Retirement Contributions, and company-paid Life Insurance.

Celebrate our 300th million seedling planted with us!
spi-ind.com/OurForests/ThreeHundredMillion