Wildlife Program Resource Assistant
Tonto National Forest – Central Zone (Tonto Basin & Globe Ranger Districts)
Length: Term of positions is 26 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk
Location: Globe, AZ
Living Allowance: $15.00/hour, plus $1000/month housing allowance
Start Date: 5/1/2023
Application Due Date: Applications will be reviewed beginning February 3, 2023.
Application Deadline is 3/3/2023
Title of Position Wildlife Program Resource Assistant
Position Details
Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Tonto National Forest to hire a Wildlife Program Resource Assistant.
The Wildlife Program on the Central Zone of the Tonto National Forest monitors a variety of special status species including annual survey work for Arizona Hedgehog Cactus, Mexican Spotted Owl, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Survey work includes fieldwork, data collection, data entry, and spatial data creation/map making. Biologists work closely with other program areas to ensure wildlife is included in project planning including the preparation of Biological Assessments/Evaluations during the NEPA process and completing required Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Wildlife Program Resource Assistant will be trained to complete survey work and data processing shadowing experienced certified biologists. The Resource Assistant will be training on the NEPA and Section 7 process and will be responsible for drafting a Biological Assessment/Evaluation for a small project.
Position Responsibilities will include:
- Assisting with Survey Work
- Learn the survey protocols for Mexican Spotted Owl, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
- Review Arizona Hedgehog Cactus monitoring plan for the Globe Ranger District.
- Develop species identification skills.
- Shadow a certified biologist conducting survey efforts.
- Undertake independent survey work as able and properly trained.
- Process Survey Data
- Learn how to properly record survey data on protocol data sheets.
- Learn how to enter data into the NRM Wildlife database.
- Develop GIS skills, store data spatially, and create maps of species detections.
- Small Project Wildlife Review
- Become familiar with the NEPA process.
- Become familiar with the Section 7 consultation process with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team review of a small project.
- Draft a Biological Assessment/Evaluation under the supervision of the District Biologist
Minimum Requirements:
- Enthusiasm for working in the outdoors and sharing with others.
- Ability to get along well with others.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing
- Ability to work outdoors, hike cross-country, and work in summer desert temperatures
- Minimum of 2 years of college experience in the biological sciences
- General interest in wildlife, especially birds.
- Driver’s License and ability to pass MVR through Conservation Legacy (must be over 21 years old or have had license for 3 years)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in the biological sciences
- Past wildlife survey experience, especially with bird species
- Past experience with GIS
Benefits:
- $1000/month housing allowance, distributed $230.77/week (pre-tax)
- $50/monthly commuting reimbursement. (pre-tax)
- $2750.00 Professional Development and Travel fund.
- Housing may be available in government apartments though not guaranteed. Trailer pad parking is available with full hook-ups.
- Training:
- Endangered species survey experience (Arizona Hedgehog Cactus, Mexican Spotted Owl, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo)
- First Aid/CPR (applies to all work plan activities)
- Orientation to local hazards (weather, terrain, bugs and plants) (applies to all work plan activities)
- Trail camera and acoustic recording unit use
- Introduction to NEPA, Section 7 consultation, and Biological Assessment/Evaluation preparation.
- Plant identification
- GIS training and NRM Wildlife database use training
How to Apply
Apply on-line by clicking the "Apply Externally" button. In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.
Application Deadline
Applications will be reviewed beginning February 3, 2023. Final application deadline is March 3, 2023
Application Questions
Please reach out to Roddy Cobb Jr. at rcobb@conservationlegacy.org with any questions.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.