Passive Acoustic Monitoring 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 10 Passive Acoustic Monitoring 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: April 2026

Estimated End Date: 20 weeks after the start date

*a 20-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: 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.

Crew members may be based in any of the following locations throughout the season, but should expect occasional travel throughout the Pacific Northwest:

  • Cle Elum, WA (4 positions)
  • Corvallis/Springfield OR (1 positions)
  • Roseburg, OR (2 positions)
  • Medford, OR (2 positions)
  • Arcata, CA (1 position)

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

Position Overview: The 14 members will be deploying and retrieving autonomous recording units (ARUs) to monitor northern spotted owls, barred owls, marbled murrelets and a multitude of other vocal wildlife species. Field work will require travel from the duty station to survey sites up to 3 hours away with occasional overnight travel required. Work is performed across three states in the Pacific Northwest: Washington, Oregon, and California by multiple different field crews.

 

  • Field Work (~80%)
    •  A government vehicle will be provided for travel to and from the field site, including for any required travel so crew members must practice safe driving on highways, city roads, and remote Forest Service and Bureau of land management roads.
    • Navigating (including orientation using GPS, map, and compass) off trail across steep, rough, uneven, unstable, and brushy slopes in all weather conditions from cold to hot and rainy to dry. 
    • Perform troubleshooting and maintenance of acoustic recording equipment in the field.
    • Maintaining accurate field notes using Survey123.
    • Follow rigorous survey methodologies for field data collection.
    • Driving safely for long distances to reach work sites.
    • Collaboratively work in a team setting.
    • Maintain and report any issues of equipment including field vehicles. 
    • There may be some backcountry hiking and camping as needed. 
    • Vehicle camping may be required to access some sites. 

 

  • Office Work (~20%)

    • Follow rigorous data management protocols to ensure data integrity, including data entry, and data proofing, and audio file renaming and management.

    • Transferring acoustic files onto permanent storage media. 

    • Assist in processing and organizing acoustic data for species detection.

    • 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 10-hour days 4 days a week, though there may need to be some flexibility when traveling to other study areas. Occasionally, 8 days on with 6 days off work schedule may be necessary. 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 or have experience with field data collection.
  • All candidates are encouraged to apply, though local candidates will be strongly considered. 
  • Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely in off-road conditions.
  • Strong experience hiking daily over long distances in remote, steep, and rocky terrain and adverse weather conditions (off trail).
  • Ability to navigate in remote areas safely using GPS, mobile devices, paper maps and compass. 
  • Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks. 
  • Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols. 
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Word, Survey123, Avenza, Gaia, 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.
  • Knowledge of technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

  • Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, 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. Ability to hike over rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs. and occasionally vehicle camp overnight in the field.
  • Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. Strong color vision is needed to identify and locate sound recording equipment, but accommodations are possible for safety reasons.
  • Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves large totes of equipment up to 50lbs with assistance from others, ability to carry packs weighing up to 35-40lbs.
  • Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Outdoor conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions such as snow, heavy rain, and extreme heat is expected. There will be infrequent, but possible encounters with wild animals. Poison oak is common in some study areas. Wildfire smoke in the summer is common; members may be required to wear N95 masks or have flexible schedules to work around these conditions. Poison oak is prevalent in some study areas. Possibility of encountering bears, cougars and other wildlife while driving or hiking on foot. 
  • Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
  • Travel: Occasional travel and long driving days.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. The members may be exposed to wildfire smoke in the late summer/early fall but will be provided with N95 masks to protect airways and/or given alternate tasks to limit exposure and exertion on days where air quality is poor.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the US Forest Service or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the US Forest Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the US Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to US Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required. 

Job Field:
Wildlife
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location Detail:
Cle Elum, WA (4 positions)
Corvallis/Springfield OR (1 positions)
Roseburg, OR (2 positions)
Medford, OR (2 positions)
Arcata, CA (1 position)
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. 

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, rain gear, or field clothing, and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

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 navigation and orienteering, CPR and wilderness first aid, beginner chainsaw operation, 4x4 vehicle operation safety, sound recording equipment troubleshooting, and sound validation training.

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/1285532

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