Wildlife Construction Monitor – Western Pond Turtle/Herps (Klamath Project)
RES is currently accepting applications for the position of Ecologist II/III based out of the Yreka, CA or Ashland, OR area.
The mission: be part of an epic project!
RES is leading a massive restoration effort integral to the largest dam removal and river renewal project in US history – a task vital to the future of several imperiled salmon populations on the West Coast. The Klamath River and its tributaries were once home to the third-largest salmon population in the West, but those numbers have crashed to an alarming level. A major ecological restoration project will follow the removal of four aging dams that have cut off access to more than 400 stream miles of historical salmon and steelhead habitat. The world is watching, with major media outlets like the BBC and National Geographic already covering this critical project.
If you want to be part of this truly historic effort, we want to meet you.
What your day-to-day might look like?
No days are the same, but you will be the main resource of the project providing guidance, strategies, methodologies, and techniques for the protection of Western Pond Turtle.
This position will report daily to the Klamath Field Office or Lower Klamath Project site since most of the activities will be carried out in the field. This will include the following:
- Delineate western pond turtle suitable habitat areas with GPS. Determine the factors to be addressed prior to data collection. You are expected to have good knowledge of GPS and field survey methodology.
- Rescue and relocate western pond turtles in coordination with CDFW.
- Assist with wildlife surveys, relocation efforts, and avoidance and minimization measures for other wildlife that may include amphibians and reptiles, avian species, bats, etc. – knowledge of these species is required.
Note that you will lead Visual Estimation Surveys and oversee and direct the work of biological construction monitors. Prior experience as a field crew leader and a desire to be a part of a high-functioning and cohesive team working towards a common goal will help you thrive in this position.
You will also develop protocols, organize, and ensure data quality and storage, and analyze and report on findings. Strong technical skills and experience in field ecology methods and data analysis will be required.
Part of your work will be focused on compliance and training. This will include:
- Development of Western Pond Turtle Checklist in coordination with CDFW.
- Development and implementation of the Biological Resources Awareness Training Program.
- Identifying Best Management Practices (BMP) to avoid impacts on natural resources and to comply with environmental regulations.
- Implementation of compliance program consistent with the various regulatory and permitting documents.
- Providing technical input for the development of the compliance report template.
You will also be tasked with administrative duties such as daily species monitoring logs/monthly and annual reports and reviewing project documentation. You will extensively use your skills in report writing and editing, and oral presentation.
Note that the on-call (weekends/evenings, over the phone) support for construction/restoration crews during the implementation phase of the project, is needed.
You are also expected to do extended field rotations (sometimes 10-12 days at a time), and travel on a regular basis throughout the project sites which may require overnight stays. The work is done in outdoor environments, including prolonged walking, or standing on various terrain in a wide range of weather conditions.
Qualifications
We would love to talk to you if you have the following minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in applicable field (biology/ecology, biological science, natural resources or wildlife management, or a closely related discipline).
- 5 years of professional experience in a related field.
- Demonstrable experience as a Designated Biologist for western pond turtles.
- Experience working with diverse wildlife species and habitats.
- Prior experience proofing data.
- Experience with biological construction monitoring.
- Experience leading field crews
- Experience working on active construction sites
What will make you stand out?
- Advanced degree in wildlife biology or natural resource-related field
- Experience working in the Klamath River Watershed
- Specialized studies in Herpetology.
- Species-habitat conservation planning and natural/biological resources management.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) recovery permits and CDFW MOU.
- A working knowledge of federal and state environmental laws for permit compliance including experience with Oregon and California species protection regulations and the Federal Endangered Species Act.
- Experience working under and implementing biological measures associated with CEQA/NEPA/ESA/FERC regulatory documents.