Wildlife Innovations is seeking highly skilled and motivated applicants for a part-time Wildlife Biologist, to assist with surveillance of avian and mammalian species, as predators of California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers within Alameda County, California. The Biologist will conduct visual surveillance and help maintain digital camera systems (i.e. changing SD cards or batteries) to identify presence and evaluate behavior of avian and mammalian species. The biologist will record all observed avian and mammalian species or sign of their presence, and all observed disturbance and predation of listed species, maintaining detailed digital data logs of all observations. Surveillance will be conducted two days per week, and include point count surveys, transects (by foot), and focused monitoring of nesting sites. Surveillance will be conducted for 10 hours per day, beginning at or just before sunrise, for a period of 4 months starting in April of 2023. In addition to digital data collection, a summary report will be completed and submitted following completion of each day. Pending project funding and strong performance from the applicant selected, additional work opportunities may become available.

The actual dates of employment will be identified when a candidate is selected.

Duties to be performed by the Biologist will include:

1) surveys by sight, sign, and the utilization of remote sensing equipment;

2) detailed electronic data collection and recording;

3) nest searching and mapping;

4) assisting with raptor trapping, banding, and translocation efforts;

5) coordination with Wildlife Innovations senior staff, and tern and plover field staff if needed;

6) preparation of technical reports;

7) trail camera maintenance; and

8) other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications: B.S. degree or higher in Wildlife Management or Conservation (or a closely related field) and experience conducting avian surveys. Applicants MUST HAVE STRONG AVIAN IDENTIFICATION SKILLS, and those skills and experience should be well supported within the application materials. At a minimum, applicants should be able to identify raptors, corvids, gulls, and wading birds to species, and accurately assess their sex and age (when possible). Applicants should be well organized, proactive, comfortable working alone or within a small team, have strong communication skills and the ability to diligently follow survey protocols and accurately record detailed observational data in the field. Applicants should have their own high-quality binoculars, and ideally a spotting scope, for use as part of this project. Applicants must have their own vehicle and be willing to use it to travel to and between nearby project sites and to conduct surveys from within their vehicle using it as a blind. Project sites have paved, gravel, or dirt roads, so 4WD is not required. Do not apply for this position without a demonstrated strong background and understanding of the desired experience, as you will not be considered.

Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated background in conducting avian surveys for raptors, corvids, gulls, and wading birds in support of California Least Tern and Western Snowy Plover recovery efforts. Additional preference will go to applicants with experience using digital data collection applications (i.e. ESRI’s Collector or Field Maps).

Applicants will be asked to provide information to verify their identity and driving records. Due to the location of project work sites and required licenses, applicants must be citizens of the United States.

Hours and Compensation: Work schedule will be two days per week (10hrs/day), beginning in April of 2023, and extending for 4 months. Compensation will be based on a daily rate of $400-600/day DOE.

Closing Date: This position will remain open until qualified applicants are identified.