Wildlife Technician

POSITION: Wildlife Technician
LOCATION: Siskiyou or Modoc County, California
JOB SUMMARY:
FWS Forestry California, LLC, is looking to hire a minimum of one (1) wildlife technician for the
2025 field season. The ideal applicant would be based out of Siskiyou or Modoc county. The
main responsibilities of this position are to conduct protocol-level surveys for northern spotted
owls and American goshawks, and camera trap surveys for mesocarnivores to support a large
fuels reduction project near Medicine Lake in the Modoc National Forest. Additional wildlife
assignments are likely, depending on need, interest, and timing. Past technicians also gained
experience in meadow restoration, frog surveys, and the use of automated recording units
(ARUs). Attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a good attitude are required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Safely drive and/or hike remote forest roads and trails, o􀅌en at night, to access survey
sta􀆟ons.
 Conduct electronic broadcast surveys for northern spo􀆩ed owls and American goshawks
according to established protocols.
 Take detailed field notes and accurately map loca􀆟ons for target species heard or seen.
 Conduct day􀆟me surveys as needed to follow up on nigh􀆫me detec􀆟ons of spo􀆩ed owls,
including day􀆟me visits to historic nest or roost loca􀆟ons.
 Conduct baited camera surveys for mesocarnivores using established protocols.
 Regular data entry, team mee􀆟ngs, road clearing, and addi􀆟onal du􀆟es as required.
 Poten􀆟al to assist with tree marking, inventory, flagging, and/or GIS work for qualified
applicants.
F & W Forestry Services, Inc.
REQUIREMENTS:
 Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or related
field is preferred.
o Candidates without degrees, but with adequate experience, are encouraged to
apply.
 Familiarity with California na􀆟ve wildlife species is preferred.
 Chainsaw safety cer􀆟fica􀆟on is a plus.
 A minimum of one (1) year of field experience.
o Candidates with prior experience with spo􀆩ed owl surveys and/or night work will
be given preference.
 Must be able to iden􀆟fy American goshawks and northern spo􀆩ed owls by sight and/or
sound, including the ability to differen􀆟ate between spo􀆩ed owls and barred owls.
 Experience with or sufficient demonstrable understanding of naviga􀆟on techniques
including topographic maps, GPS, compass, and/or PLSS systems.
 Excellent communica􀆟on skills.
 Must be able to adhere to company safety protocols.
 Candidates must be able to hike, some􀆟mes traveling long distances, at night along closed
roads or trails, and during the day off-trail in roadless areas, o􀅌en in steep, brushy terrain.
 Must be comfortable working in all weather condi􀆟ons with the possibility of
encountering (poten􀆟ally dangerous) wildlife and vegeta􀆟on (i.e. bears, mountain lions,
poison oak).
 Candidates must be able to confidently, safely, and efficiently navigate infrequently
maintained logging roads with a 4WD vehicle or ATV in areas with li􀆩le or no cell phone
recep􀆟on, o􀅌en at night.
 Must be able to work independently and alone in the field. A high degree of selfmo
􀆟va􀆟on, a􀆩en􀆟on to detail, problem-solving skills, and a sense of humor are essen􀆟al.
 Must be willing and prepared for occasional camping and/or mul􀆟-night stays out of town
near field sites (up to 5 days at a 􀆟me).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Applicants must be able to work independently in a variety of
potentially hazardous circumstances and areas, usually between sunset and sunrise, to conduct
northern spotted owl surveys on private timber lands and/or National Forest lands.
 Applicants should be experienced in wildlife surveys and/or environmental consul􀆟ng.
o Candidates with prior experience with spo􀆩ed owl surveys and/or night work will
be given preference.
 Applicants must be comfortable working nights, alone, o􀅌en in areas without cell service.
Both hiking and driving at night will be required.
 Applicants should have a working knowledge of Microso􀅌 Excel and must be able to
navigate in the field using a smartphone and mapping applica􀆟on.
 Experience collec􀆟ng data with ESRI Field Maps is a plus.
 Experience using a chainsaw and road clearing is a plus.
F & W Forestry Services, Inc.
SALARY:
 Compensa􀆟on: $20 – $25/hour, DOE
 Housing: Covered during out-of-town stays
 Reloca􀆟on: Not included
 Start Date: An􀆟cipated start date of May 15, 2025
 End Date: An􀆟cipated end date of October 31, 2025 (contract extension possible,
especially for those with interest in and/or experience with forestry field work)
 Loca􀆟on: Modoc Na􀆟onal Forest
 Addi􀆟onal Details: 40 hours per week. Occasional over􀆟me likely.
DURATION OF POSITION OPENING: Until position is filled.
CONTACT: Submit all resumes/cover letters via email to [email protected]
This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties
which may be associated with this position.