Deadline: Wed, 02/15/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: Wildlife Innovations Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Full Time Location: California Location Detail: San Diego Job Description: About Wildlife Innovations Inc.: Wildlife Innovations, Inc. is a biological consulting firm that specializes in wildlife and predator research and management to support the recovery of threatened and endangered species, promote habitat restoration/maintenance, and reduce human/wildlife conflict. We utilize the latest technology to support our objectives, and those of our clients, and have extensive experience working on city, state, and federal lands, including in areas requiring a higher level of operational awareness, such as on military installations, State Parks, busy construction sites, and airports. Wildlife Innovations is certified by the State of California as a Small Business and Micro Business and by the City of San Diego as a SLBE. Our skilled biologists are certified and permitted to employ a variety of techniques to mitigate wildlife conflicts, including deterrence and exclusionary devices, trapping, translocation, and the safe and discrete utilization of lethal and nonlethal techniques in both urban and rural environments. Job Summary: The Predator Biologist is responsible for focusing on the surveillance and control of mammalian and avian predators who present a high threat to federally threatened and endangered species, more specifically the California Least Tern, Western Snowy Plover, and Light-footed Ridgway’s Rail. This position will comprise visual and digital predator surveillance of nesting areas and surrounding habitat, post-predation site investigations, digital data collection, and targeted management of high-threat predators. Evidence collected during predation investigations will be used to identify species of predators responsible and inform management efforts. All data collected will be used to adapt management techniques for and enhance efficiency of other conservation programs on both a local and regional scale. This will be for a 5-6 month position, starting approximately 15 March and extending to approximately 1 September. Upon satisfactory completion of all duties during this time, and depending on availability of funding, employment with Wildlife Innovations may be extended. Compliance Obligations: • Maintain compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws. Duties and Responsibilities: • Manage avian and mammalian predators; • Perform diurnal and nocturnal mammalian and avian predator surveys by sight, sign, and remote sensing equipment; • Digitally collect/record data and maintain database(s); • Investigate predation sites; • Construct, set, and maintain predator traps; • Place and maintain trail cameras; and • Prepare detailed weekly/monthly/annual technical reports. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Qualifications: • A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Wildlife Science, at an accredited University, or a closely related field required; • Minimum of two (2) years of applicable experience (Avian or Mammalian variations may impact the job experience requirement); • California Driver's License or ability to obtain one once hired required; • Ability to diligently conduct predator management, surveys, and accurately record detailed field observational data; • Experience in animal tracking; • Safe handling of various species of wildlife, as-needed; • Ability to accurately identify predators, more specifically birds of prey, corvids, and mammals, in Southern and Central California, by sight, sound, and track, and down to species, age, and sex (when applicable); • Experience with conducting trapping and/or hunting, wildlife surveys, collection of detailed data, and preparation of technical reports; • Extensive Four-wheel drive experience, including operating in steep, muddy, or sandy environments; • Ability to perform basic vehicle maintenance, i.e. checking oil, checking tire pressure and changing or repairing a tire; • Experience with digital camera deployment, operation, maintenance, and care, including changing and reviewing footage on SD cards, changing/recharging batteries, and maintaining solar power systems for cameras; • Experience with optics, including binoculars, spotting scopes, night vision goggles, thermal scopes, firearms sights/scopes; • Ability to operate, maintenance, transport/storage, construct, and deploy a variety of traps used to capture wildlife; • High proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint; • Working knowledge of all standard office equipment; • Ability to adapt to a variable work schedule; • Excellent written and oral communication skills; • Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills and ability to meet tight deadlines; • Team player; • Positive attitude; • Enthusiastic in learning new skills and techniques; • Strong safety consciousness; • Must exhibit patience; • Must exhibit a high level of confidentiality; • Ability to travel to various project sites in a single day; • Conducting surveys for sometimes long and continuous periods of time; • Using a keyboard to perform research and to communicate, through written means, for sometimes long and continuous periods of time; • Standing, walking, reaching, and stooping; • Lifting or carrying up to 50lbs (while hiking) and over uneven terrain, possibly while wearing waders or mud boots, or in sand; • Working in inclement weather, including heat, rain, fog, etc.; • Hiking up to ten (10) miles per day, but more commonly one (1) to two (2) miles; and • Exposure to various noise level; Desired Experience, Licenses, and Experience: • Project Management Experience; • Experience in conducting predator control while operating in sensitive species habitat; • Experience conducting Predation investigations; • MS in Wildlife Science, or a related field, at an accredited University; • NRA Firearms Safety Certifications (dependent on project); • Hunters Safety Certificate and Hunting License (dependent on project); • California Trapper's License preferred (dependent on project); • Safe handle, transport, and perform maintenance on firearms; • Banding, tagging, and/or other raptor marking experience; • ArcGIS or mapping software certifications/experience (dependent on project); • Wilderness First Aid (dependent on project); and • Willingness to attend and present at conferences or training sessions within San Diego and in- or out-of-state locations. Salary: $4000-6000/Month How to Apply: Wildlife Innovations Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. To Apply: Submit resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least three (3) references to Jake Manley at admin@wildlifeinnovations.net, with the subject line Predator Biologist San Diego. Make sure resumes and cover letters highlight experience with predator surveillance and/or management and any qualifying information applicable to the “Desired Experience, Licenses, and Experience” section. Phone inquiries are not accepted.
