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Idaho Fish and Game

Wildlife Technician - Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel Crew

    • Southwest Regional Office - McCall
    Application Period: -
    Employment type: Temporary/Seasonal/Part Time
    Salary: $18.61 per hour + housing available
    Employment Dates: to

About the position

The Southwest Region-McCall is seeking to fill up to two (2) Wildlife Technician positions that will assist with long-term population monitoring of northern Idaho ground squirrels, a federally threatened species, in west-central Idaho. Field work is primarily systematic distance-based line-transect surveys. 

Species Information and Recovery:

https://species.idaho.gov/wildlife-species/ground-squirrels/

https://www.fws.gov/species/idaho-ground-squirrel-urocitellus-brunneus

Related Research:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3B3SPCCEyo

General Information
Applicants must be able to work outdoors under a range of environmental conditions, hike for 4+ hours across moderate terrain, follow established protocols, navigate using a GPS, and have good eyesight and high frequency hearing to effectively detect small mammals with or without reasonable accommodations. All positions are full-time (40 hours/week). Weekly work schedule is entirely weather-dependent. Applicants must be willing to flex their workdays and work a split shift most days (morning and evening with long mid-day break) to take advantage of peak squirrel activity and good weather. Training in conducting visual surveys for ground squirrels is provided. Housing is available in a shared bunkhouse, cabin, or camp trailer near remote Bear, Idaho. Work vehicle and necessary survey equipment (e.g. handheld GPS, binoculars, rangefinder) will be provided.

Surveys are conducted on private and public lands in west-central Idaho including on the Payette National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/payette/). This area of Idaho is home to beautiful landscapes and a wide variety of recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Dates Needed: April 6 to July 17, 2026 – (2 positions, end date somewhat flexible)
Qualifications
It is preferred that applicants have a B.S. degree in biological sciences, natural resources, or related field, with some field experience OR demonstrated field experience with small mammal surveys or line-transect distance sampling. Some experience with ArcGIS and driving 4WD vehicles on dirt roads is preferred. Must have a valid driver’s license.
Responsibilities
Technicians will be part of a 2–4-person crew conducting line-transect distance-based surveys. Each individual will complete a set of survey transects daily, navigate with a handheld GPS, mark squirrels, measure distances, and collect environmental data. Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate field records, entering and proofing survey waypoint data, tracking survey season progress, and data summary. If time allows, other duties may include assisting with related wildlife activities (e.g. bat & bridge surveys, NA bat station deployment, freshwater mussel surveys, wildlife habitat restoration projects).

How To Apply

1. Applicants must first register with the Idaho Department of Labor at https://www.labor.idaho.gov/dnn and refer to Job Posting Number 2475955 in your application materials below.
2. Complete an IDFG application for temporary employment (https://idfg.idaho.gov/jobs/application-temporary). 
3. Submit a cover letter, resume, three professional or academic references, and a completed IDFG application for temporary employment (preferably by email) to:
 

Betsy Wagner
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
555 Deinhard Lane
McCall, ID 83638
betsy.wagner@idfg.idaho.gov 
(208) 634-8137

EEO/Veteran’s Preference. If qualified applicants are found, this announcement may close before the listed closing date.

URL: https://idfg.idaho.gov/jobs/application-temporary

Contact: Betsy Wagner
Email: betsy.wagner@idfg.idaho.gov
Phone: 208-634-8137