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Job Opening: Wildlife Biologist for Seabird Project (CA)

Humboldt State University is hiring a wildlife biologist for the Common Murre Restoration Project. Deadline to apply: 9/24/2021.

Job Title: WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST FOR SEABIRD PROJECT

Wage: Range $26.00 to $28.00 per hour depending on experience and education. This is a full-time position. Job will include a competitive benefits package including group health, dental, and vision as well as retirement contributions after required time on the job.

Project Name: Common Murre Restoration Project

Supervisor: Richard Golightly Ph.D.

Background and duties: A Wildlife Biologist is being sought to work on a seabird restoration and monitoring project for Common Murres and other seabirds along the central California coast. This project is conducted cooperatively by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex) and Humboldt State University. The purpose of the restoration project is to aid in restoring Common Murre colonies that have suffered damages from oil spills, human disturbance, and other anthropogenic factors. Other aspects of the project include seabird colony monitoring, aerial and boat surveys of seabird colonies, public outreach, data management including maintenance of Access data bases, data analyses, and production of reports and publications. Successful applicants must be willing to work long hours when circumstances require, on weekends, and in inclement weather, and travel when necessary to field sites. This position will be located at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquarters in Fremont, California, but occasional overnight travel is required to visit various field sites. Specific responsibilities include:

  • Conducts studies of Common Murres and other seabirds throughout the central California coastal region. Duties include implementation of study design, data analysis and interpretation, writing results suitable to meet reporting requirements and for publication in a scientific journal, training and oversight of up to 9 field or office staff and volunteers.
  • Assists the Principal Investigators with administering the project, including budget tracking, purchasing, supplies and property management, contracting activities, permit acquisition, staff payroll, and other administrative responsibilities.
  • Designs and ensures completion of censuses/surveys and studies of colonial seabirds, to include proper collection, tabulation, and analysis of data, including data on species such as the Common Murre, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Western Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Oystercatcher, and other species. Census/survey methods include ground, boat, and aerial techniques and the applicant must be able to participate in these activities (including completing applicable training).
  • Designs, conducts, and evaluates management practices on Common Murres and other seabirds, including restoration/enhancement projects. Prepares recommendations for the Principal Investigators.
  • Maintains MS ACCESS databases, including updating databases as necessary. Trains and oversees project staff on database entry and queries.
  • Prepares reports and presentations including an annual project report and other technical reports, study plans, permit applications, permit reports, literature searches, and other correspondence.
  • Writes scientific papers, including manuscripts for peer-reviewed wildlife journal publications.
  • Maintains, and organizes project equipment, including binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, cameras, and vehicles.
  • Assists the Principal Investigators with issues concerning seabird conservation as needed, including human disturbance and predation, among others.
  • May perform a variety of other duties as assigned to include items such as: attending meetings representing the project; conducting tours for agency staff or the public; developing the biological aspects of interpretive media; public outreach; and directing other project staff in projects of a biological nature.
  • Operates federal government vehicles. A current driver’s license and good driving record is required.
  •  This position will require a background investigation by both the University and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Preference may be given to applicants with prior applicable field experience with seabird or other similar wildlife monitoring techniques or census techniques. Additional evaluation may be based on the demonstrable evidence of the applicant’s knowledge and experience with computer use, databases, statistical analyses, report preparation, administrative processes, and supervisory skills.

COVID-19: Due to the ongoing global pandemic we have implemented procedures for conducting work by staff of the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation related to the Common Murre Restoration Project (hereafter, Project). These are intended to minimize risk of exposure and transmission of novel coronavirus COVID-19 and enhance safety for staff of the Project. Employees of the Project will be required to review and be familiar with the Project’s protocols, the current health orders from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), State of California, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the relevant county orders, and any other applicable health ordinances. These procedures include, but are not limited to, social distancing, appropriate hygiene, and wearing face coverings. COVID-19 testing and/or a COVID-19 vaccine will be strongly encouraged. The applicant will also need to conduct themselves consistent with requirements of Project partners when at their sites (e.g.: US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, San Mateo County Parks, etc.) Per Department of the Interior guidelines, employees who will work in or visit Federal buildings or Federally controlled indoor worksites are required to attest to their vaccination status before accessing federal lands.

Minimum Qualifications: 1) Bachelor’s degree in wildlife, biological sciences, or closely related discipline with an interest in wildlife biology, restoration, or behavior (preference may be given to applicants with an advanced degree in an appropriate discipline); 2) current driver’s license with a good driving record; 3) ability to sufficiently move and lift equipment up to 50 lbs; 4) ability to regularly hike up to 3 miles in steep/narrow/uneven terrain while carrying up to 50 lbs of gear; 5) ability to work at the tops of high, steep cliffs; 6) demonstrable evidence of good supervisory skills; and 7) successful completion of background investigations.

Application must include: 

For questions concerning this position please contact either Gerry McChesney at (510) 435-9151 or gerry_mcchesney@fws.gov or Richard Golightly at rtg1@humboldt.edu.

Closing Date: Applications must be received by 5pm (PST) on September 24, 2021 and be complete at that time to receive full consideration. Completed applications that arrive after this date may or may not be considered.

Email completed application to: Richard.Golightly@Humboldt.edu

Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. More information about HSU SPF’s Equal Employment Opportunity hiring can be found here  https://research.humboldt.edu/employment/hiring/recruitment.

For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form which can be found here https://forms.humboldt.edu/spf-accomodation-request-form  or call the SPF Interim Compliance Support Coordinator at (707) 826-5159.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered this position within HSU SPF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current HSU SPF employees who apply for this position.