Position Title:  USDA Forest Service Wildlife Technician – AmeriCorps      

Conservation Legacy Program: Southwest Conservation Corps – Four Corners, Durango    

Site Location: San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District, 367 S. Pearl Street Bayfield, CO 81122 

Terms of Service:     

Start Date: 05/05/2025   End Date: 10/17/2025    AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours        

 

Purpose:     

This AmeriCorps program partners with the USDA Forest Service staff at local field offices throughout southern Colorado. This AmeriCorps position is under direct mentorship and technical guidance of the Columbine Ranger District Forest Service office with additional management, support, and administration from Southwest Conservation Corps. The Wildlife Program monitors wildlife, while conserving and improving habitat for a wide range of wildlife species. The Columbine Ranger District manages 691,310 acres of the San Juan National Forest in La Plata and San Juan counties. It is considered a backcountry district with about 323,625 acres of Wilderness. 

 

This AmeriCorps position will focus on conducting wildlife surveys for various species and their habitats. The position will aid in the improvement of wildlife management in this district by summarizing and analyzing data from field collections, preparing reports of findings, and assembling information for the development of plans and coordination of information with the Forest Service. These reports are essential to inform management of Forest lands and ensure adequate protections are in place for areas with planned recreation, vegetation management and restoration projects. Wildlife surveys are vital when assessing the overall health and vitality of public lands. 

 

Description of Duties:     

Survey, tracking, and analysis of various wildlife speciesAccipiter surveys and passive owl surveys  Focal species surveys – Aberts Squirrel Silverspot Butterfly and Bog Violet Surveys NABat monitoring Passive bird monitoring  

 

Potential Environmental/Human Risks:    

Slips, trips, falls with uneven and varied terrain in remote locations Variable weather ranging from freezing cold temperatures to hot temperatures  

 

Required Qualifications:     

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident  At least 17 years of age     Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award     Valid U.S. Driver’s License     Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check   Per grant funding, candidate must be 18-30 years of age, up to 35 years of age if veteran status    

    

Preferred Qualifications:    

Some background in Wildlife Ecology, Biology, or Botany Experience with species identification including point-count surveys and behavioral observations Experience with data management and mapping software    Ability to work in a team environment and independently in remote locations  Strong communication skills High level of safety awareness and professionalism Physically able to carry supplies up to 40 pounds 

 

Physical Requirements:     

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.     

 

Time Requirements:     

Typically, this position is expected to serve on a four-day ten-hour schedule, Monday through Thursday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service      Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.       

 

Orientation and Training:     

Member will receive an in-depth orientation provided by Southwest Conservation Corps that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities    Partner will provide appropriate orientation and training(s) for field activities    

 

Benefits:     

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50     Living Allowance of $600 per week    Additional Benefit of $150 per week    Forest Service bunkhouse housing if needed Healthcare Coverage if Eligible      Professional development opportunities with both SCC and the Forest Service Two SCC field shirts    Childcare Coverage if Eligible     Loan forbearance if Eligible     Interest Payments if Eligible       

 

Evaluation and Reporting:     

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.     

 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.    

   

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:     

Individual Placement Program Coordinator – Niki Antonio (she/her)    

Contact Information: nantonio@conservationlegacy.org

 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.