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Paid Field/Research Assistant: Wildlife Technician (CA)

The Common Murre Restoration Project is seeking up to three (pending available funding) Wildlife Technician 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. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Deadline to apply: ASAP!

Agency/Organization: Common Murre Restoration Project

Location: Half Moon Bay, California

Website: click here to apply

Job Description:

Project Name: Common Murre Restoration

Project Supervisor: Richard Golightly, Ph.D.

Background and duties: The Common Murre Restoration Project is seeking up to three (pending available funding) Wildlife Technician 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 conducting seabird population and productivity surveys, documenting and reporting human disturbances to seabirds, database entry and proofing, 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. Preference may be given to applicants with prior field experience with seabird or other wildlife monitoring or census techniques. Additional evaluation may be based on the applicant’s knowledge and experience with computer use and databases.

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 orders from the federal government and the State of California, 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. Due to the dynamic situation, all employees will be expected to participate in a remotely conducted pre-season meeting to discuss employee status and any updated procedures relating to COVID-19. COVID-19 testing and/or a COVID-19 vaccine will be strongly encouraged and may be required at some sites. Successful applicants will be required to complete a federal Vaccine Attestation Form regarding their vaccination status.

Duration: First weeks of May to mid-August 2023 depending on project need.

NOTE: review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found. We are looking for someone to start ASAP.

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 sufficiently move and lift equipment up to 50 lbs
  • Ability to regularly hike up to 3 miles in steep/narrow/uneven terrain while carrying up to 50 lbs of gear
  • Ability to work at the tops of high, steep cliffs

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with seabird colony monitoring
  • Ability to perform sedentary behavioral observations for multiple hours uninterrupted
  • Experience using spotting scopes
  • Experience entering and proofing data in databases.

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 the application.

Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected status.

For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form, which can be found here or contact ADA Coordinator at 707.826.3626 or confidential fax at 707.826.3625. For more information regarding accommodation, you may also visit the Cal Poly Humboldt Human Resources website at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/reasonable-accommodation. Individuals in need of a telecommunications relay service may contact the California Relay Service at 877.735.2929 TTY.

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

Wage: Range $20.00 to $22.00 per hour depending on experience and responsibilities. Housing at the field site will be provided. This is a full-time position. This position offers a competitive benefits package including group health, dental, and vision.

To apply:

Application must include:

  • A SIGNED cover letter, which includes the exact job title: Wildlife Technician
  • Résumé
  • Names, affiliations, and phone numbers of two professional references
  • Completed and signed Self-Identification Form (click here)

For questions, please contact Dr. Carley Schacter (crs164@humboldt.edu)

Review Date: Position is open until filled.

Email completed application to: Dr. Carley Schacter (crs164@humboldt.edu)

Application Deadline: 5/31/2023

Start Date: 5/1/2023

Contact: Carley Schacter (crs164@humboldt.edu)