Wildlife Technicians (4)

Kate on Conservation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization is seeking four wildlife technicians for seasonal positions. Responsibilities include songbird mist netting, conducting bird surveys, and assisting with Common Loon projects in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Ideal candidates will have experience with bird identification and mist netting, and must be physically capable of hiking in challenging terrain. Free housing is provided, along with travel reimbursements and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Free housing

$20 per diem for work-related travel

Up to $400 reimbursement for moving expenses

Qualifications

• Minimum 200 passerines extracted required for full-time position.
• Experience with camera traps and nest boxes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in songbird mist netting and banding.
• Conduct IMBCR bird surveys and monitor nest boxes.
• Assist with Common Loon research projects.

Skills

Excellent hearing

Sight identification of western birds

Navigational skills

Team player

Education

Degree in wildlife biology

Job description

• January 8

Employer: Ricketts Conservation Foundation

Location: Bondurant, WY

Country: United States

Last Date to Apply: 02/07/2025

Open Until Filled: No

We are hiring four wildlife technicians to help work on our projects assessing songbird response to wildfires and Aspen regeneration on Monument Ridge, near the town of Bondurant, Wyoming, and Common Loon breeding activity in the broader Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Specifically, we are looking for persons knowledgeable with songbird mist netting and banding, an ability to identify western songbirds by sight and sound, and who is physically capable of hiking long distances (10+ miles) in rugged, mountainous areas above 8000 feet elevation for consecutive days, and enthusiasm to assist as needed with a variety of research projects. Familiarity with the IMBCR point count protocol is preferred but not required, as all four technicians will be asked to attend an IMBCR training week run by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in mid-May before arriving to Bondurant. We are hiring 2 technicians to work full time on the Monument Ridge project with a greater focus on being a mist net assistant, and two positions that will be split between helping with banding and having a greater focus on aiding with our Common Loon nesting project.

Duration and Salary:

May 12 to early or mid-August with possibility of extension to mid-November

$1400 biweekly

$20 per diem for work-related travel

Up to $400 reimbursement for moving expenses both to and from Bondurant.

***Free housing is provided in a beautiful mountain valley, adjacent to a working ranch with Bison and Horses. ***

***Two of these positions will be split with the Greater Yellowstone Loon Project. ***

The technicians will be responsible for assisting at our 8 MAPS stations (setting up and taking down nets, extracting birds, recording, and entering field data). They will also conduct IMBCR bird surveys, monitor passerine nest boxes, check cameras traps, conduct vegetation surveys, and assist with Clark’s Nutcracker and Common Loon research projects in the surrounding area.

Full-Time Monument Ridge Position – Responsibilities (May – August):

MAPS songbird mist netting and banding (50%)

IMBCR point counts (25%)

Vegetation Surveys (5%)

Camera trap monitoring and maintenance (5%)

Passerine nest box monitoring (4%)

Yellowstone Clark’s Nutcracker Surveys (1%)

Data entry and proofing (5%)

Other office tasks (net repair, gear cleanup, nest box maintenance, inventory, etc.) (5%)

Split Common Loon/Monument Ridge – Responsibilities (May – August):

MAPS songbird mist netting and banding (25%)

IMBCR point counts (25%)

Common Loon monitoring (25%)

Vegetation Surveys (5%)

Camera trap monitoring and maintenance (5%)

Passerine nest box monitoring (4%)

Yellowstone Clark’s Nutcracker Surveys (1%)

Data entry and proofing (5%)

Other office tasks (net repair, gear cleanup, nest box maintenance, inventory, etc.) (5%)

Fall Responsibilities (September – November, tentative for 1 or 2 technicians):

Owl migration mist netting and banding (60%)

Songbird migration mist netting and banding (20%)

Camera trap monitoring and maintenance (5%)

Yellowstone Clark’s Nutcracker Surveys (5%)

Data entry and proofing (5%)

Other office tasks (net repair, gear cleanup, nest box maintenance, inventory, etc.) (5%)

Hours/Schedule: These are full-time, seasonal positions with somewhat flexible start and end dates. The work schedule is typically 10 days on and 4 days off, but weather and project requirements will ultimately determine the schedule. Hours worked beyond the 80 hours per 2-week period requirement will accrue as comp time to be used later in the season as paid days off.

Field Conditions: The study area lies at 7,000’ – 13,000’ elevation, so mornings can be cold and frosty, even in the middle of the summer. Habitat types include aspen woodlands, mixed conifer, sagebrush steppe, and alpine tundra. Grizzly bear encounters are possible, but very infrequent. Shared housing and transportation for work is provided. Occasional use of personal vehicles for work occurs but is not required. Fuel expenses are reimbursed. Technicians will need their own camping equipment and field gear as well as secure their own transportation to and from Bondurant, WY (travel cost up to $400 will be reimbursed). Bondurant is a remote town with a population of less than 100 year-round residents. The closest amenities are in Jackson and Pinedale, each a 45-minute drive from town. Recreational opportunities in the surrounding area are truly limitless, with world class fly fishing, backpacking, rafting, climbing and two national parks.

Qualifications: Excellent hearing, sight, and the willingness to learn to identify western birds by sight and sound are non-negotiable requirements. Familiarity with Rocky Mountain species of trees and shrubs is helpful but not required. For the full-time Monument Ridge technicians, previous experience extracting passerines from mist nets (minimum 200 passerines extracted) is a must. Applicants with less banding experience but some familiarity with extracting and handling passerines can be considered for the split technician positions. Some previous experience maintaining camera traps, monitoring nest boxes, and driving large 4WD and manual transmission vehicles is also highly desirable.

Applicants should have earned a degree in wildlife biology, related discipline or be working towards completing a degree. A valid driver’s license is required. Applicants should possess a strong work ethic, be a quick learner, have good navigational skills, be a team player, and willing to share living spaces with coworkers. Ideally, candidates have some experience backpacking with camping and survey equipment into remote areas and knowledge of bear avoidance protocols. Technicians must be in excellent physical condition, able to lift 50 pounds, hike up to 15 miles off trail at high altitude, tolerate early mornings and late nights, long hours, adverse weather, large areas of deadfall, and be comfortable not using mosquito repellents in the field (DEET and banding birds does not mix).

Loon Tech Specific Qualifications: The split technicians will spend time working on and around large, cold lakes. Training will be provided, but technicians must be comfortable riding on motorboats and paddling canoes. Because the loon work predominantly takes place near Yellowstone National Park, encounters with Grizzly Bears are much more likely for this position. Long hiking days and backcountry camping will be required. Technicians must have a strong dedication to safety and willingness to follow the strict regulations of working in a national park.

To apply: Send a single document including a cover letter and resume detailing how your experience and interests make you a suitable candidate, as well as three references. Please specify your availability from mid-May to early August, which technician position you would prefer, and whether you are interested in joining our fall season. Highly qualified banding applicants should include a banding resume detailing locations where experience was obtained as well as rough totals of birds extracted, and birds processed. Please send all materials to Josh Lefever at [e-mail]. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt; suitable applicants may be hired before closing date.