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Biological Field Technician - Spotted Owl Technician

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST), a dynamic medium size consulting firm with offices across the United States, is looking for a temporary full time, Biological Field Technician (Northern Spotted Owl Surveyors) for the 2021 field season based in Roseburg and Coos Bay, Oregon.  Since 1990, WEST has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States. WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies and the sophisticated analysis of natural resource data. 
 
Key Benefits:
  • Competitive salary
  • Comprehensive Medical (if working 30 or more hours a week)
  • Sep IRA (100% employer contributions)
 
Join WEST and you will discover and enjoy:
  • Family friendly environment
  • Diverse workforce and DE&I efforts
  • Great work/life balance
  • Flexible and Casual work culture
  • Professional growth opportunity
  • Safe and happy working environment
 
Job Description: 
WEST has several openings for biological field technicians to conduct northern spotted owl surveys on private timber lands in western Oregon.
Primary duties will include:
  • Hiking and driving forest roads at night to access survey stations, conducting electronic broadcast surveys for northern spotted owls, and accurately recording and mapping any owl species heard or seen. 
  • Work will be primarily conducted between sunset and sunrise, and some overtime and weekend work will be required.
 
Secondary duties will include:
  • Daytime surveys to follow-up on any nighttime detections of spotted owls, occasional daytime visits to historic nest or roost locations, completing data forms, road clearing, and additional duties as required.
  • Work is conducted almost exclusively independently.
 
Compensation: $16-20 per hour DOE and level of responsibility
Start date: March 1, 2021
End date: August 31, 2021
Housing: A housing reimbursement may be provided depending on location.
Additional details: A vehicle will be provided, or mileage will be reimbursed at standard government rates. Start and end dates are somewhat flexible, but preference will be given to individuals that can work the entire field season.


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

Job Requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree in wildlife, natural resources, or related fields is preferred, but not required.
  • At least one year of field experience is required, and candidates with prior experience with spotted owl surveys and/or environmental consulting will be preferred.
  • Must communicate effectively with other personnel, and have excellent hearing. 
  • Experience with or sufficient demonstrable understanding of ‘old school’ navigation (i.e., paper maps, compass, PLSS system) is required. Candidates must also be able to follow a strict protocol, identify spotted owls by sight and sound, including the ability to differentiate between spotted owl and barred owl vocalizations, and adhere to all WEST safety protocol.
  • A high degree of self-motivation, attention to detail, independent problem-solving skills, and a sense of humor are essential.
 
Physical Requirements:
  • Candidates must be able to walk long distances at night in extremely steep, brushy terrain, and be comfortable working in adverse weather conditions with the possibility of encountering wildlife (possibly dangerous) and various plants (i.e.: poison oak)
  • Candidates must have hearing capabilities to be able to accurately identify owls by sound
  • Candidates must be able to confidently, safely, and efficiently navigate infrequently maintained logging roads with a 4WD vehicle or ATV in areas with little or no cell phone reception, often at night (again, at night!), take detailed field notes and accurately map owl locations, work independently
 
Successful candidates must be able to pass a background check; a pre-employment drug screen; and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver’s license will be required. Candidates must adhere to all health and safety requirements. 

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.