Spotted Owl Technician

Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. (WEST) a dynamic environmental and statistical consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada is looking for temporary full -time Biological Field Technicians in Oregon.

WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies and the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data. Since its founding in 1990 the WEST team has shaped the foundation of what we do and what we believe in through our core values and key principles. Our work matters to our clients communities and the environment. Join WEST and discover a company of passionate committed and highly motivated individuals.

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

Key Details:

• Compensation: $23.00 - $27.00 hourly
• Housing: TBD
• Start Date: 02/23/2026
• End Date:09/05/2026
• Location: Corvallis OR
• Additional Details: 4 nights 40 hours per week. Optional overtime will be available.

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will be:

• Independently conduct nighttime surveys (e.g. sunset to sunrise) to detect northern spotted owls by sight and sound from stations located along logging roads and trails on private timber land.
• Use maps compass and mapping apps (e.g. Avenza Gaia Field maps) to navigate designated survey stations via hiking in steep terrain and dense vegetation or 4wd vehicles.
• Differentiate Pacific Northwest owl species by sight and sound and collect and record detailed information on owl detections.
• Adhere to detailed field protocols to operate safely in potentially hazardous circumstances and areas (e.g. logging areas rough unimproved roads inclement weather potential wildlife encounters).
• Communicate frequently with the field supervisor.
• The ideal candidate will be experienced in spotted owl surveys and/or other environmental surveys conducted overnight.
• The ideal candidate will be willing to learn new technology and to detect a wide range of sounds.

Responsibilities include:

• Hike and drive on forest roads at night to access survey stations.
• Conduct electronic broadcast and callback surveys for northern spotted owls and accurately record and map any owl species heard or seen.
• Take detailed field notes and accurately map owl locations.
• Recognize signs of owl nesting behavior (e.g. whitewash pellets fledglings present molted feathers).
• Conduct daytime surveys as needed to follow up on any nighttime detections of spotted owls including daytime visits to historic nest or roost locations as needed.
• Independently maintain a schedule ensuring surveys are completed within designated timeframes.
• Conduct road clearing and lite trail maintenance using basic tools (e.g. handsaw garden clippers tow straps).
• Willingness to work nights alone and follow fire season safety protocols
• Maintain field equipment and complete basic vehicle maintenance.
• Program deploy service and manage data resulting from audio recording units (ARUs).
• May use Kalediscope to filter and review owl calls.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties which may be associated with this position.