Field Technicians for desert tortoise monitoring program

The Institute for Wildlife Studies is hiring for three types of positions
related to monitoring desert tortoises in the Mojave desert in California
and Nevada, described below. There are several openings for the technician
positions. Please contact Dr. Julie Young at tortoise [AT] iws.org if you
have any questions.

Institute for Wildlife Studies

Description:

The desert tortoise monitoring program is part of the USFWS initiative for
the recovery and monitoring of the endangered desert tortoise. Data
collected through distance sampling is used to estimate population size and
density. Field technicians are needed to fill positions related to distance
sampling.



Field technicians will work in pairs, walk pre-defined transects to collect
information on desert tortoises, and drive long distances through the desert
on dirt roads to travel between daily transects. Field training will be
provided, but applicants should have previous experience with wilderness
field skills and the ability to use a GPS and topographic maps for
navigation. Technicians must be able to walk ?12 km per day in challenging
and uneven terrain, carrying personal gear and field equipment. Technicians
also must be prepared for temperature and weather conditions that can change
rapidly and without warning, able to operate a 4WD vehicle, and willing to
camp in the desert backcountry for ?3 consecutive nights. Previous tortoise
survey experience is a plus.



-Preference will be given to applicants with previous desert tortoise
experience.

-Technicians must have a positive attitude and be capable of working closely
with others.

-Exact start and end dates are to be determined, but expect to start in
early March and one crew will work until the end of April and a second crew
will work until the middle to end of May.

*Please specify preferred end date in your cover letter.

-Technicians will be expected to work 5 consecutive days per week, with the
understanding that 2 days off may vary.

-The position requires long hours, early morning start times, and camping in
the field.

-Compensation: Approximately $2,500/month (based on an hourly wage), plus
housing will be provided during the training (2 weeks in March) and
available intermittently throughout the field season.



Location:

Mojave Desert, California and Nevada



Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact
information for 3 references to:

Dr. Julie Young at tortoise [AT] iws.org, or Institute for Wildlife Studies,
PO Box 1104, Arcata, CA 95518. Please note the job (Field Technician) you
are applying for in the subject line.



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Telemetry Technicians for desert tortoise monitoring program

Institute for Wildlife Studies



Description:

The desert tortoise monitoring program is part of the USFWS initiative for
the recovery of the endangered desert tortoise. Data collected through
distance sampling is used to estimate population size density and locations
of tortoises determined by telemetry is used to calibrate sighting
probability. Field technicians are needed to fill positions related to radio
telemetry monitoring of tortoises.



Telemetry technicians work alone but in coordination with distance sampling
technicians. Technicians are expected to listen for previously tagged
tortoises and obtain visuals of tagged tortoises. Field training will be
provided, but applicants should have previous experience with radio
telemetry, wilderness field skills, and GPS and topographic maps for
navigation. Technicians must be able to walk alone for long distances in
challenging and uneven terrain, carrying personal gear and field equipment.
Technicians also must be prepared for temperature and weather conditions
that can change rapidly and without warning, able to operate a 4WD vehicle,
and willing to camp in the desert backcountry for ?3 consecutive nights.



-Preference will be given to applicants with previous desert tortoise
experience.

-Technicians must be capable of working alone, but communicate and
coordinate activities regularly with others.

-Exact start and end date is to be determined, but expect to start in early
March and work through the end of April.

-Technicians will be expected to work 5 consecutive days per week, with the
understanding that 2 days off may vary.

-The position requires long hours, early morning start times, and camping in
the field.

- Compensation: Approximately $2,500/month (based on an hourly wage), plus
housing will be provided during the training (2 weeks in March) and
available intermittently throughout the field season.



Location:

Mojave Desert, California and Nevada



Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact
information for 3 references to:

Dr. Julie Young at tortoise [AT] iws.org, or Institute for Wildlife Studies,
PO Box 1104, Arcata, CA 95518. Please note the job (Telemetry technician)
you are applying for in the subject line.



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QAQC/Project Coordinator for desert tortoise monitoring program

Institute for Wildlife Studies



Description:

The desert tortoise monitoring program is part of the USFWS initiative for
the recovery and monitoring of the endangered desert tortoise. Data
collected through distance sampling is used to estimate population size and
density. Field technicians obtain data from line distance sampling transects
and radio-telemetry that must be centrally collected, checked following
defined quality assurance/quality control (QAQC) guidelines, and turned into
USFWS weekly.



The QAQC/Project Coordinator will be responsible for:

(1) Traveling to meet crews at specified locations in the Mojave
desert for weekly collection of data

(2) weekly delivery of paper and electronic data that have been
verified for completeness and correctness (QAQC);

(3) weekly updates on completion of assigned transects, and timely
and appropriate response to feedback from the USFWS to improve patterns in
collected data;

(4) assisting the project lead with coordinating field crew
schedules, creating maps, creating or assisting with reports; and

(5) working with field crews to reduce errors in data entry.



The position requires regular contact with IWS staff in the Arcata office
and USFWS project staff, plus extensive and intensive interaction with crews
in the field. The Project coordinator is expected to have previous knowledge
of Microsoft Access and ArcGIS, experience leading and motivating field
crews, and an understanding of working with large databases, desert
environments and desert tortoises, distance sampling, and be willing to
participate in field work if needed.



The exact start and end date is to be determined, but we anticipate a start
in early March, with work through June 8. The coordinator is expected to
work 5 consecutive days per week, with the understanding that 2 days off may
vary. The position requires long hours, extensive travel, and a willingness
to visit and camp with field crews in the Mojave Desert.

Salary: Approximately $3,000/month (based on an hourly wage), plus housing.



Location:

Las Vegas, Nevada with travel to Barstow, CA and possibly throughout the
Mojave Desert.



Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact
information for 3 references to:

Dr. Julie Young at tortoise [AT] iws.org, or Institute for Wildlife Studies,
PO Box 1104, Arcata, CA 95518. Please note the job (QAQC/Project
Coordinator) you are applying for in the subject line.