California Condor Monitoring Technician (Yurok Tribe, Northern California Condor Restoration Program)

The Research Associate Program at Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with Yurok Tribe, is recruiting three (3) California Condor Monitoring Technicians to participate in the Northern California Restoration Program (NCCRP).  Technicians will conduct California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) population monitoring and management activities in northern California and the broader region.  All three of the volunteer positions will be slated for approximately a 9 month term . As a volunteer, this individual may be reimbursed for qualified living expenses up to $255.33 per week.

While daily duties change depending on the needs of the flock and the seasons, this is primarily a field-based position. Technicians will report to the NCCRP Lead Field Biologist for day-to-day duties and technical training, with program oversight from the NCCRP Manager, and their GBI Research Associate Program Coordinator for administrative tasks. The Yurok Tribe initiated the NCCRP in 2008 as a collaborative, multiagency, conservation partnership to restore this cultural and ecologically significant species to the Yurok ancestral territory in what is now Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. The Yurok Tribe works in close collaboration with Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other partner organizations such as the Los Angeles Zoo and Oregon Zoo.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Track and monitor condors via radio, satellite-telemetry and visual observations;
• Observe and record captive and release bird activity, behavior, health, and metrics;
• Navigate by foot and 4WD vehicle in remote locations and challenging terrain using GPS units, compass, and maps;
• Handle domestic and wild animal carcasses, including calves, goats, pigs, and deer, for use as condor food resources;
• Maintain bird enclosure, facilities, vehicles, and equipment;
• Adhere to Yurok Tribe, NCCRP, RNSP, GBI, and AmeriCorps policies and procedures;
• Respond to poaching events to prevent condors and other scavenger species from lead ingestion;
• Participate in community outreach and education events;
• Assist with condor trapping and handling; and
• Professionally communicate with diverse audiences, including private landowners, the general public, and representatives from collaborating organizations.

Timeline:

• Two (2) positions are looking to be filled ASAP, start date will be one month from offer date and upon successful completion of background check, and one (1) position will be a November start;
• 1200 hour term (approximately 41 weeks);
• Schedule is typically 4 days on, 3 days off, minimum 32 hours/week, but hours may flex within a pay period according to management needs; and
• Work is mostly independent and some tasks require nighttime hours.

Location:

The project itself takes place within Yurok Ancestral Territory, and lands managed by Redwood National and State Parks. The Yurok Tribe is currently the largest Tribe in California, with more than 5,000 enrolled members. The Tribe provides numerous services to the local community and membership with its more than 200 employees. 

The nearest small town is Orick, California which has convenience stores and gas stations. Larger communities like Arcata, CA (about 35 miles south) and Klamath, CA (about 21 miles north) have more amenities. Cal Poly Humboldt is about a 40-minute drive south in Arcata, CA.

The Redwoods and surrounding areas start the southernmost boundary of the Pacific Northwest with lush, expansive rainforests and coastlines. This region receives significant precipitation, roughly 60 to 80 inches per year particularly from October through April, but oceanic influences tend to keep temperatures fairly consistent between mid-40s to low-60s°F.