Lead Wildlife Technician Tahoe National Forest, American River Ranger District

Lead Wildlife Technician - Tahoe National Forest American River Ranger District

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the US Forest Service is seeking one Lead Wildlife Technician to contribute to wildlife projects in coordination with the Tahoe National Forest Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: March 9 2026 (03/09/2026)

Estimated End Date: September 15 2026 (09/15/2026)*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: American River Ranger District (Foresthill California)

The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850000 acres of public land interspersed with 350000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1500 feet along the western boundary to over 9000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.

Foresthill is a beautiful mountain community located 17 miles east of Auburn and Interstate 80. Foresthill is surrounded on the south and west by the Auburn State Recreation Area on the north by BLM lands and on the east by National Forest. The American River Ranger District contains a portion of Granite Chief Wilderness the Wild and Scenic North Fork American River and the northernmost grove of Giant Sequoias.

For more information about the American River Ranger District please visit the Tahoe NF website.

Position Overview: The ACE Wildlife Lead Technician will be expected to train and provide guidance to a crew of one to perform extensive field work under the direction of the district wildlife biologist Field work will mainly consist of conducting surveys for California spotted owl and American goshawk using standardized protocols (75%). The field work schedule will vary and will include early morning daytime and night surveys. The lead Wildlife Technician should be prepared for working at night and for hiking over steep arduous terrain in hot weather for long periods of the day. Individuals will also work with wildlife and aquatics staff to conduct surveys for other species as needed and opportunities arise (15%). Applicants should have experience conducting standardized field survey and data entry protocols. Team Leads may also assist other program areas in order to support high-priority project needs and to acquire cross-training skills and appreciation of the complexity of land management in the Forest Service (10%).

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This may include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Project Objectives:

• Complete surveys to protocol and provide accurate and timely documentation.
• Perform all tasks with safety as the highest priority.
• Work safely in the field and responsibly maintain equipment and vehicles.
• Follow direction of wildlife biologist and work cooperatively and professionally with other team members and Forest Service personnel.
• Complete surveys to protocol and provide accurate and timely documentation and data entry.
• This position will require close coordination with the Forest Service wildlife biologist but most duties will be performed independently which at times will require the lead to take initiative and problem solve.
• Support other projects and responsibilities as needed; the forest is dynamic and other duties may be required.

Schedule: Typically 40 hours/week Monday-Thursday. Work times vary based on species being surveyed for that week. Shifts may start as early as 5 am for some surveys or mid to late afternoon for owl surveys. Owl surveys are usually completed by midnight but may be later as needed. Workdays may vary in the early season due to weather and will shift in June as we conduct more goshawk surveys.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1015/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However FS barracks housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7-20 per day by the Forest. A Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Gear Allowance: New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250. Eligible gear for this position may include boots work pants hiking socks and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures clear guidance on prohibited activities and networks for support. Specific training the USFS may include but are not guaranteed: CPR/First Aid Avenza and Field Maps field data collection systems. Other training may be provided as they are needed or come available. ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training/professional development opportunities which must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

Qualifications

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member of a group.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACEs insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets beginning of term feedback forms end of term evaluations and for longer terms a mid-term evaluation.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position will hold a bachelors in a natural resource field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as surveying raptors or avian species.
• Ability to manage organize and provide for quality control of data collected by the crew.
• Ability to complete work with safety as a priority.
• Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols.
• Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of biological science sufficient to analyze findings.
• Knowledge of the technical processes procedures and techniques related to biological science samples measurements and analysis.
• Proven ability to be both self-directed/work alone communicate with coworkers and supervisor and provide guidance to the crew.
• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS mobile devices and maps.
• Flexibility in switching between day and night survey work (maintaining appropriate work/rest ratio)
• Proficiency in required field skills and ability to train others.
• Proficiency in data entry summarizing and compiling data
• Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely on rough roads
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft products and experience and/or training in ArcMap Avenza or Survey 123.
• Proficiency in bird identification particularly western North American species by sight and sound.
• Deep interest in wildlife biology
• Experience with leadership especially in regards to safety and conflict resolution

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting standing walking hiking carrying using hands to handle or feel reaching with hands and arms talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of tools tablets and vehicles.. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Hearing Requirements: Must be able to hear spotted owl calls (low frequency) as well as goshawk calls (high frequency).
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Appropriate PPE will be provided.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold rocky terrain swamp or wetland conditions biting insects and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow staff/members or resources. Specific hazards include heat driving poison oak stinging insects and beetle-killed and/or fire-killed trees.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: The Forest Service or ACE will provide a vehicle for fieldwork along with any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties. ACE members may if they possess or obtain certification and training required by the State of California and the U.S. Forest service operate a gas or electric powered chainsaw to remove dead and downed trees obstructing work areas as permitted by their qualifications and comfort. Members may be asked to remove dead or downed trees or limbs from work areas using a hand saw. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the Forest Service will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Forest Service and ACE equipment training certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Tahoe Project Director Al

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee member or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment hire training transfer promotion compensation demotion termination benefits employee activities and general treatment without regard to race color religion age sex creed national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information veteran or military status physical or mental disability sexual orientation medical condition marital or parental status political affiliation ethnicity hair texture or style arrest record caste hereditary status endogamy or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal law.

Required Experience:

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