Field volunteer Mexican Wolf Recovery Project
Note: The following is a volunteer opportunity offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Please direct any inquiries to the Service.
Details of Job No. 23947
Job Number: 23947 (Classification: Volunteer Openings)
Title: Field volunteer Mexican Wolf Recovery Project
Agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Location: Alpine, AZ
Job Description: Commitment: 6 months minimum
Positions available: 2
Major Duties: The volunteer will perform a variety of tasks in support of the Mexican wolf recovery project. This is a very field-based opportunity. Duties MAY include the following:
– Monitoring of wolf locations and movements (using track identification and scat ID)
– Radio-telemetry (by vehicle, hiking, or plane) using receivers and H-antenna to pick up signals from radio collared wolves. Telemetry skills also involve using compass bearings and GPS locations in order to plot wolf locations. Radio-telemetry experience a strong plus.
– Backcountry travel by 4WD vehicle, hiking and backpacking. Camping and horseback riding are possible. Extended periods of work in remote areas for behavioral observations and monitoring can occur.
– Depending on seasonal needs, the volunteer MAY assist Project biologists with various wolf management and research activities such as:
– Capture (using leg-hold traps or darting).
– Radio collaring of wolves including medical workups (blood, vaccines etc) and measurements
– Possible monitoring of den and rendezvous site activity
– Being a courteous ambassador of the Project distributing current wolf information and educational materials to ranchers, campers, hunters, and other persons using the Recovery area
– Office tasks such as data entry (entering location data in computer database) and equipment maintenance (vehicles, traps, snowmobiles and ATV’s etc). Depending on current seasonal activities, volunteer may be asked to assist with a wide variety of Project needs-complex or tedious. Flexibility and a good helpful attitude are essential.
Qualifications: The applicant should be age 21 or over, in excellent physical health and hold a current drivers license. He/she must be able to work independently and with a team and demonstrate a good level of flexibility. Work conditions are often in remote areas with extreme environmental conditions. Long, irregular hours can be anticipated. Applicants with or working towards a Bachelors degree in wildlife biology are desirable. Experiences in backcountry travel, map and compass use, wildlife or wolf handling and tracking, ranching, hunting and trapping are helpful. Remote backcountry hiking and camping experience, radio-telemetry, 4WD vehicle operation, and good communication skills are preferred.
Salary: $20/day stipend. Housing Provided
Last Date to apply: November 30, 2010
Contact: Dr. Susan Dicks
E-mail: Susan_Dicks@fws.gov (Preferred)
Phone: (505) 761-4749
