Wildlife Technician, Tahoe National Forest
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Wildlife Technician, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking 1 wildlife technician to contribute to wildlife survey projects alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff.
Estimated Position Dates: April 20, 2026 - Fall 2026
Location Details/Description: Yuba River Ranger District (Camptonville, California)
Position Benefits
- Pay: $895/week
- Public Land Corps Hiring Authority
- Housing Allowance: Up to $280/week
- Field Gear Allowance: Up to $500
- Training/Professional Development Allowance: Up to $500
Position Overview: The ACE Wildlife Technician will be supervised by district biologists and expected to perform extensive field work. Field work will include a considerable amount of hiking and some backpacking, with variable hours conducting morning, daytime, and night surveys. This position will require close coordination with the district biologists, but most duties will be performed independently and in pairs, in the backcountry, which will require the member to take initiative, plan, and problem solve to complete priorities of their crew. The technician will also be responsible for regular data management throughout their term and assisting Crew Leads with other administrative/organizational tasks related to their field duties.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Project Objectives:
- Conduct California spotted owl, northern goshawk and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog surveys alongside a 4-5 member crew. A small portion of the surveys may be done by backpacking for 2-5 day trips, on trails, with a partner. Additional species surveys may include: Bald Eagle, carnivore cameras, California red-legged frog, bat outflight, willow flycatcher. Complete surveys safely and to protocol (60%)
- Provide accurate and timely data documentation and data management (20%)
- Support other projects and responsibilities; including children's educational days, OHV impact monitoring, bird box placement and monitoring (5%)
- Making GIS maps and writing survey reports, and quality control of data. (15%)
Schedule: Tue- Fri, 10 hours/day. Work times vary based on species being surveyed for that week. Shifts may start as early as 5 am for early morning shifts and 2 pm for late night shifts. Usually completed by midnight but 1-2am as needed. Week days may shift in the early season due to weather and will shift in July for youth education events.
Qualifications
ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!
Required:
- Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.
- Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
- Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in natural resources and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as amphibian and/or raptor field work
- Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of biological science sufficient to analyze findings
- Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis
- Ability and experience hiking over remote, steep, and rocky terrain in adverse weather and field conditions (biting insects, poison oak, thick vegetation, snow, variable temperatures (hot and cold)).
- Strong, self-driven work ethic
- Willingness and flexibility to transition quickly with changing priorities day to day
- Ability and Experience camping in the outdoors.
- Experience and/or training in ArcGIS
- Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols
- Ability to work independently at day or night including hiking, driving, following detailed survey protocols
- Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, and paper maps
- Flexibility in switching between day and night survey work (maintaining appropriate work/rest ratio)
- Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks
- Must be able to communicate clearly and frequently with team members
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft products
- Ability to shift focus and manage time between major field work and necessary office/data tasks
For the full position description, please visit the ACE job board.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Tahoe Project Director, Al Richert, arichert@usaconservation . org