Paid Crew Lead: Wildlife Biologist/Site Leader (CA)
The Common Murre Restoration Project is seeking up to two Site Leader positions to conduct monitoring of breeding seabirds including Common Murre, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Western Gull, Black Oystercatcher, and Pigeon Guillemot along the central California coast. Deadline to apply: 1/15/2024.
Agency/Organization: Common Murre Restoration Project
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA; Point Reyes Station, CA
Website: Click here
Job Description: The Common Murre Restoration Project is seeking up to two (pending available funding) Site Leader positions to conduct monitoring of breeding seabirds including Common Murre, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Western Gull, Black Oystercatcher, and Pigeon Guillemot along the central California coast. This project is conducted cooperatively by Cal Poly Humboldt and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex). The purpose of the project is to aid in the recovery of Common Murre colonies that were depleted because of oil spills, human disturbance, and other anthropogenic factors.
Primary duties will include documenting human disturbances to seabirds, conducting seabird population and productivity surveys, database entry and proofing, training and supervising up to two Wildlife Technicians, scheduling and managing daily field work, ensuring accurate data recording and entry, summarizing field data, report writing, coordinating with project partners, and interacting with the public. Other duties may include counting seabirds from aerial photographs, or other related tasks as assigned. Multi-day travel between multiple sites away from the primary duty station may be required. Site Leaders will be expected to assist with pre-season preparation of field equipment and supplies, post-season data analysis and preparation of an annual report.
Successful applicants must demonstrate specific evidence of leadership and good communication skills, ability to work independently, and ability to make good decisions in the field. Preference may be given to applicants with prior field experience with seabirds. Additional preference may be given to experience with wildlife monitoring or census techniques as well as the applicant’s knowledge and experience with computer use, databases, and report preparation.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in wildlife, biological sciences, or related discipline with an emphasis in wildlife biology, restoration or behavior;
- Current driver’s license with a good driving record;
- Ability to move and lift equipment up to 50 lbs;
- Ability to regularly hike up to 3 miles in steep, narrow, and uneven terrain while carrying up to 50 lbs of gear;
- Ability to work at the tops of high, steep cliffs;
- Specific and demonstrable leadership skills;
- Specific and demonstrable database data entry and proofing skills;
- Specific and demonstrable communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Good wildlife observation skills;
- Experience with seabird colony monitoring;
- Ability to perform sedentary bird behavioral observations for multiple hours uninterrupted;
- Experience using spotting scopes;
- Attention to detail;
- Ability to work effectively as a team member;
- Experience coordinating complex field work and managing a small staff.
Applicants will be evaluated and ranked based on details given in their application package; please address all qualifications and length of experience in each category to receive full consideration.
Applicants who are citizens of countries outside of North America, or who are otherwise not eligible for work under existing treaties must have valid documentation to work in the United States at the time of appointment; applicants for whom this applies must include their visa status in their application.
Wage: $25.00 to $27.00 per hour plus benefits; housing provided at field site.
To apply: Application must include:
- A SIGNED cover letter, which includes the exact job title: Wildlife Biologist/Site Leader
- Résumé
- Names, affiliations, and phone numbers of two professional references
- Completed and signed Self-Identification Form (click here)
Application Deadline: 1/15/2024
Start Date: 4/1/2024; work will take place from approximately 1 April through end of August 2024.
Contact: Carley Schacter (crs164@humboldt.edu)
