Passive Acoustic Data Members

Employer
American Conservation Experience
Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest (PNW) research station, is seeking up to 4 Passive Acoustic Data Members to contribute to a long-term wildlife monitoring project alongside Forest Service PNW Research Station Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: Late May to early June2026

Estimated End Date: 20 weeks after the start date

*a 20-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Corvallis, OR

The Pacific Northwest Research Station is a leader in the scientific study of natural resources. We generate and communicate impartial knowledge to help people understand and make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. The station has 11 laboratories and research centers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington as well as 12 active experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds. The PNW Research Station is an integral component of USDA Forest Service Research and Development (R&D), which is the most extensive natural resources research organization in the world. Forest Service R&D comprises five regional research stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. These research facilities, complemented by a network of 80 experimental forests, are strategically designed to reflect the diversity of natural resources across the country.

For more information about the Pacific Northwest Research Station, please visit the USFS website.

Position Overview: The 4 members will be responsible for validating acoustic data that are collected from the field. Work will be completed in an office setting in Corvallis, OR.

 

  • Office Work (~100%)

 

  • Develop basic proficiency in reviewing audio recordings to detect vocalizations of target wildlife species and other relevant sounds.
  • Gain evaluative skills of wildlife vocalizations by interpreting spectrograms.
  • Acquire the ability to annotate audio recordings to document the presence of target species
  • Enhance sound identification abilities by introducing to the participant online databases and other resources to classify unfamiliar sounds.
  • Receive training on how to use ArcGIS, Kaleidoscope Pro, and R
  • Develop skills in communication and cooperative organization in a collaborative team environment
  • Collaboratively work in a team setting

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

Schedule: Schedules will typically be 8-hour days, 5 days per week. Biweekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. 

Qualifications

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 driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's 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. 
  • Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
  • Members must be willing to travel on occasion and be comfortable camping or staying in provided bunkhouse space. Hotel use will be limited.
  • To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as botany, ecology, biology, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field. 
  • All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered. 
  • Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete tasks.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Word, R, Kaleidoscope Pro, AGOL Survey123, AGOL and other computer products and apps.
  • Competency with data entry, summarizing and compiling data. 
  • Competency with downloading and backing up data from SD cards.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

  • Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various field equipment, computer keyboard, mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, or crouch. 
  • Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. Strong hearing and corrected vision are important for listening to sound recordings and viewing spectrograms.
  • Environmental: conditions. Exposure to fluorescent lighting, computer screens, headphones, mouse, keyboards, and time spent sitting at a desk.
  • Noise Environment: Mild to moderate office noise may be encountered. Headphone use will be required on a daily basis.
  • Travel: Occasional travel and long driving days.
Job Field:
Wildlife
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location Detail:
Corvallis, OR
Salary:
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is a fixed rate determined by the US Forest Service and ACE and is not flexible.
Job Benefits:

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 or US Forest Service. 

Housing Assistance: ACE Members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200 per week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

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 may include the use of software like ArcGIS, Kaleidoscope Pro, R, and Python. Members will be trained on identifying bird and mammal calls by sound and visually using spectrograms.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's 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 BLMFS Project Manager, Anna-Louise Calliham.

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

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program 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.

Application Deadline:
Link to Full Job Posting:
https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1288075

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