MBI needs help to complete winter forest carnivore surveys. See below for job descriptions and application directions.
Winter Field Coordinator:
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Diversity Program, MBI's lead agency, is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Wildlife Technician to serve as winter field coordinator for the project. This is a non-benefitted position which will be active from November 2013-April 2014. The position will be based near Sandpoint, Idaho. Salary range is $14.81-16.34 per hour dependent on experience. Coordinator is required to provide their own backcountry ski set up (tele or AT acceptable, no split boards). Snowshoes and avalanche safety gear will be provided.
During the winter of 2013-2014, MBI will be establishing approximately 250 forest carnivore bait stations for forest carnivores in the Idaho Panhandle. These stations are equipped with remote cameras and brushes to collect images of and genetic material from forest carnivores. Stations are located in remote areas and will be accessed via snowmobile or ski/snowshoe. In addition to the bait station effort, MBI will be attempting to live-trap and radio-collar wolverines. This information will be used to better understand habitat use, demographics, and reproduction in north Idaho.
The main duty of the position will be planning and coordinating the field work described above. The first part of the position will involve planning logistics, purchasing field supplies, outfitting winter housing and snowmobiles, and trap construction. The second part will include coordinating 4 paid technicians and 6-9 volunteers. Winter work will involve coordinating bait station and trapline maintenance, sample collection and management, management of remote camera pictures, fleet management, database management, coordination with partner agencies, writing reports, and being on-call to process animals at any time of day or night. While there will be some opportunity for field work this is not primarily a field position. As time allows this employee may be asked to perform other duties including representing IDFG at meetings and website maintenance.
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources or a related field, exceptional level of physical fitness, extraordinary work ethic, winter field experience (including operation of snowmobiles and backcountry non-motorized travel), winter driving and trailer experience, carnivore radio-collaring experience, wildlife immobilization certification, ability to navigate with a gps/map/compass, attention to detail, ability to make responsible decisions under stressful field conditions, organizational and logistical skills, database management, supervisory experience, Wilderness First Aid certification, Avalanche Safety Training (Level 1 or higher), willingness to work a flexible schedule, positive attitude, and resourcefulness
Preferred qualifications:
Master’s Degree in natural resources or a related field, Wilderness medicine training such as Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder and snowmobile repair skills
To apply:
Create a single .pdf file that contains the following items in the order listed: 1) cover letter which addresses how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and describes the most challenging field conditions you have encountered (500 words max), 2) resume, 3) at least 3 professional references with contact information, 4) unofficial transcripts. Email the file to Lacy Robinson at baselinembi@gmail.com with the subject line 'Field Coordinator Application'. If you are applying for multiple positions, submit only one application but indicate which positions you are applying for in your cover letter. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1st.
Wildlife Technician:
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Diversity Program, MBI's lead agency, is currently seeking 3-4 Wildlife Technicians for the 2013-2014 winter field season. These are full time, non-benefitted positions which will be active from November 2013-March 2014. Salary is $12.81 per hour. These positions will be based in the Idaho Panhandle. Work schedule will be 8 days on/6 days off. Food will be provided during work hitches. Days off housing will also be provided. Technicians are required to provide their own backcountry ski set up (tele or AT acceptable, no split boards). Snowshoes and avalanche safety gear will be provided.
Technicians will work with one volunteer in a two person team to deploy and retrieve bait stations. Technicians will be responsible for crew safety, sample collection, data entry, gear and snowmobile maintenance, and organizing logistics associated with field work. This will include bait prep, food, water, and other living necessities. Accommodations during work hitches will be a remote cabin or trailer with minimal amenities. Technicians may occasionally be required to camp in the field and not return to housing at night. Days off housing will have heat and may have running water. Field work for this project will be exceptionally physically demanding and mentally challenging. It will take place in extremely difficult terrain under variable, but most assuredly unpleasant, weather and snow conditions. Please do not apply for this job if you have any doubt in your ability to be extremely uncomfortable and exhausted (yet still efficient and productive) for 8 days in a row.
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources or a related field, exceptional level of physical fitness, extraordinary work ethic, winter field experience (including operation of snowmobiles and backcountry non-motorized travel), winter driving and trailer experience, organizational and logistical skills, ability to navigate with a gps/map/compass, attention to detail, ability to make responsible decisions under stressful field conditions, ability to get along in close quarters with other crew members, willingness to work a flexible schedule
Preferred qualifications:
Wilderness medicine training such as Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder, Avalanche Safety Training (Level 1 or higher), snowmobile repair skills
To apply:
Create a single .pdf file that contains the following items in the order listed: 1) cover letter which addresses how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and describes the most challenging field conditions you have encountered (500 words max), 2) resume, 3) at least 3 professional references with contact information, 4) unofficial transcripts. Email the file to Lacy Robinson at baselinembi@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Wildlife Technician Application.’ If you are applying for multiple positions, submit only one application but indicate which positions you are applying for in your cover letter. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1st.
Bait Station Volunteer:
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Diversity Program, MBI's lead agency, is currently seeking 4-6 volunteers for the 2013-2014 winter field season. These positions will be active from November 2013-March 2014. Work schedule will be 8 days on/6 days off. Days off housing will be provided in addition to food during work hitches. Volunteers will receive a $500/month stipend. Volunteers are required to provide their own backcountry ski set up (tele or AT acceptable, no split boards). Snowshoes and avalanche safety gear will be provided.
During the winter of 2013-2014, MBI will be establishing approximately 250 forest carnivore bait stations in the Idaho Panhandle (Canadian border south to the St. Joe River). These stations are equipped with remote cameras and brushes to collect images of and genetic material from forest carnivores. Stations are located in remote areas and will be accessed via snowmobile and ski/snowshoe.
Volunteers will work under a paid technician in a two person team to deploy and retrieve bait stations. Volunteers will assist technicians with bait station deployment and retrieval, data and sample collection, gear and snowmobile maintenance, and bait prep. Accommodations during work hitches will be a remote cabin or trailer with minimal amenities. Volunteers may occasionally be required to camp in the field and not return to housing at night. Days off housing will have heat and may have running water. Field work for this project will be exceptionally physically demanding and mentally challenging. It will take place in extremely difficult terrain under variable, but most assuredly unpleasant, weather and snow conditions. Please do not apply for this job if you have any doubt in your ability to be extremely uncomfortable and exhausted (yet still efficient and productive) for 8 days in a row.
Minimum qualifications:
Progress towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources or related field, exceptional level of physical fitness, extraordinary work ethic, ability to navigate with a gps/map/compass, attention to detail, ability to get along in close quarters with other crew members, outdoor experience, willingness to work a flexible schedule. Volunteers must commit to working the entire field season (November 2013-March 2014)
Preferred qualifications:
Avalanche Safety Training (Level 1 or higher), Wilderness medicine training such as Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder, winter field or recreational experience (including backcountry non-motorized travel and operation of snowmobiles), winter driving and trailer experience
To apply:
Create a single pdf file that contains the following items in the order listed: 1) cover letter which addresses how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and describes the most challenging field conditions you have encountered (500 words max), 2) resume, 3) at least 3 professional references with contact information. Email the file to Lacy Robinson at baselinembi@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Bait Station Volunteer Application.’ If you are applying for multiple positions, submit only one application but indicate which positions you are applying for in your cover letter. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1st.
Trapping Volunteer:
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Diversity Program, MBI's lead agency, is currently seeking 2-4 volunteers for the 2013-2014 winter field season. These positions will be active from January-March 2014. Food and remote housing will be provided. Volunteers are not required to provide skis. Snowshoes will be provided in addition to avalanche safety gear, if needed.
During the winter of 2013-2014, MBI will be attempting to radio-collar wolverines in the Idaho Panhandle (Canadian border south to the St. Joe River). Volunteers will assist with wolverine trapping efforts by checking and maintaining traps. In the event of a wolverine capture, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with handling and radio-collaring of anesthetized wolverines, including collar fitting, eartagging, and collection of biological samples. Wolverine density in the study area is very low and the probability of wolverine capture is small. Volunteers will also be responsible for the release of all nontarget animals captured during trapping efforts. Volunteers will check trap signals daily and will physically inspect and rebait traps every three days by traveling via snowmobile to trap sites. Volunteers will live and work in a two person team and must be able to get along with others in close quarters for prolonged periods of time. Volunteers will assist with gear and snowmobile maintenance and bait prep. While not in the field, volunteers will review images collected from remote cameras and may provide support for bait station crews.
Minimum qualifications:
Progress towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources or related field, physical fitness, exceptional work ethic, outdoor experience, attention to detail, ability to get along in close quarters with other crew members, willingness to work a flexible schedule. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record. A valid passport will be needed to cross the US-Canadian border on a regular basis. Volunteers must commit to working the entire field season (January 2014-March 2014)
Preferred qualifications:
Winter field or recreational experience (including backcountry non-motorized travel and operation of snowmobiles), winter driving and trailer experience, carnivore trapping and handling experience, Avalanche Safety Training (Level 1 or higher), Wilderness medicine training such as Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder
To apply:
Create a single .pdf file that contains the following items in the order listed: 1) cover letter which addresses how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and describes the most challenging field conditions you have encountered (500 words max), 2) resume, 3) at least 3 professional references with contact information. Email the file to Lacy Robinson at baselinembi@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Trapping Volunteer Application.’ If you are applying for multiple positions, submit only one application but indicate which positions you are applying for in your cover letter. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1st.