Wildlife Technician

SPECIAL NOTIFICATION: This position is exempt from classified state service and the rules of the Division of Human Resources and the Idaho Personnel Commission. This job announcement will remain open until the position has been filled. Applications will be periodically reviewed as they are received. Applicants are encouraged to apply and submit their applications as soon as possible.  

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking a Wildlife Technician. This position will be located at our Salmon Regional Office in Salmon, Idaho. This is a 5-month non-benefited temporary position and is expected to work up to 40 hours per week. Position start and end dates are somewhat flexible. Housing is not provided. The incumbent will spend the majority of time conducting Monarch Butterfly and milkweed surveys, multi-species butterfly surveys, Western toad surveys, and Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper surveys. Additionally, the incumbent may help with Bighorn Sheep lamb surveys, alpine surveys for species of greatest conservation need, and Whitebark Pine. Potential new projects may come onboard between now and when this position starts so the incumbent must be flexible and have varied interests. This is a diversity technician position meaning most of the work will be assisting the wildlife diversity biologist in the Salmon Region on studies related to Idaho Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Why IDFG? We are a premier natural resource agency dedicated to preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing Idaho's fish and wildlife for this great state. We are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence as we cultivate opportunities for our customers to engage with our natural resources and become resource stewards for future generations. We are highly dedicated to our mission, committed to our team, and we know how to balance work/life commitments while loving the work we do. 

Supplemental Information:

Positions in this classification are used for habitat management areas, data management, wildlife management, or wildlife research. Some positions may travel to remote locations for data collection and maintenance activities and may require the physical ability to walk and backpack for several hours; operate four-wheel drive and/or off-road vehicles, and ride horses in rugged terrain; lift and carry up to 65 pounds; and work in extreme weather conditions. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required. Overnight in-state travel may be required.

Responsibilities:

• Data collection on species such as monarchs, and milkweed, Idaho butterflies, and endemic grasshopper species according to various protocols
• Amphibian visual encounter surveys focusing on Western toads
• Whitebark Pine surveys collecting data on tree health, white pine blister rust, cone production and other individual tree characteristics
• Assisting with Bighorn Sheep lamb surveys
• Various wildlife-related tasks depending on day-to-day needs
• Data entry and data management for each project
• Assisting the wildlife diversity biologist on random diversity-related tasks
• Assisting the greater wildlife team within the region
• Assisting fisheries if/when help on projects is needed

Minimum Qualifications: (These qualifications are required)

• Some knowledge of wildlife ecology and habitat requirements; and wildlife habitat evaluation and management practices.
• Experience recording, summarizing, and analyzing biological data.
• Valid driver’s license.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have experience collecting wildlife data closely following protocols, western bird identification skills, an interest in working with a wide array of non-game wildlife species, solo backpacking experience and a comfort with solo backcountry work, ability to work independently (alone ≥90% of the time) in remote areas for the duration of the field season, first-aid skills and attention to safety; off-trail navigation skills using mapping apps on cellular devices and GPS units, interest and aptitude for identification of western wildlife species (including plants, trees, birds and insects), careful and accurate data collection/entry/management, and strong interpersonal skills for communicating and working effectively with program managers and co-workers, and rough and rugged driving experience. Additional consideration may be given at the time of the interview to candidates who have this experience. Please be sure to include within your application any experience you have in these areas.

To learn more about the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, please see the following:

• (Video) Idaho Fish and Game - We Make It Happen

Thank you for applying with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game!