Wildlife Crew Lead (Tahoe National Forest)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the US Forest Service, is recruiting a wildlife crew lead to support planning and implementation of vegetation management projects on the Tahoe National Forest in the Sierra Nevada, California. The crew lead will be responsible for coordinating and supervising a small team of technicians (1-3 personnel) to ensure safe, efficient, and scientifically sound data collection in support of US Forest Service resource management objectives. The crew lead will oversee daily field operations, mentor and train crew members, and serve as the primary point of contact between the field crew and US Forest Service/GBI staff. The crew lead will provide technical advice and leadership for wildlife management programs including: planning and leading of surveys for TES (threatened, endangered, and sensitive) wildlife species; gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs; ensuring data quality and integrity; assessing habitat quality and quantity; interpreting biological requirements for focal wildlife species and their habitat; and inventorying and monitoring habitat populations. 

The majority of surveys will focus on California spotted owl and American goshawk. Surveys may also occur for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, Lahontan cutthroat trout, bald eagle, sandhill crane, and various forest carnivores, among other species. Frequent duties will include broadcast acoustical and reproductive (e.g., nesting and reproductive status) surveys for spotted owls, broadcast acoustical and reproductive surveys for goshawks, and survey and identification of aquatic species. Most spotted owl surveying will occur during evening or night hours, with the possibility of some early-morning surveys.

The crew lead will gain exposure to US Forest Service processes, procedures, compliance measures and reporting, and technical experience. Opportunities to assist with other disciplines (e.g., archaeology, forestry, hydrology, range, etc.) and projects may exist.

This is principally a field-based position (minimum 80% of time) with surveys often occurring in remote locations. Work will be physically demanding and will involve extensive hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (5000 to 9000 ft.) on a daily basis, potentially during inclement weather conditions such as heat, snow, or rain. Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet survey objectives.

LOCATION

This position is based out of the Sierraville Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest (TNF). Field work will be conducted in various locations across the Sierraville and Truckee Ranger Districts of the TNF. Field work will typically require traveling to remote sites, with occasional office work for data entry and reporting. 

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 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The Sierraville Ranger District office is located in Sierraville, California, a small town on scenic Highway 89 located at approximately 5,000 feet in elevation. Communities within 30 minutes of Sierraville include Truckee, Loyalton, Calpine, and Portola.

WORK SCHEDULE

Wildlife Crew Lead positions begin early June 2025 and end in late October 2025. 

Wildlife Crew Lead positions follow 10 hour days, 4 days a week schedule. Crews will work a varied schedule including nighttime surveys during the majority of the season. Some crews may work 8 days on 4 days off schedules. 

Temporary Special Assignment employees are eligible to receive holid