Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Starting date varies from March 1 – April 1, 2006, depending on study area. Ending date is August 31, 2006

Oregon State University

BS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: B.S. degree in wildlife or closely related field; valid driver's license; ability to operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle and good night vision are required. Two positions (of the possible 26 available) require experience with radio telemetry. Orienteering skills including the use of maps, compass, and handheld GPS units (at some study sites) are essential. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Eligibility for Wildlife Society Certification; familiarity/experience with spotted owls (observing, capturing, and banding/marking techniques); experience with program XYLOG and a demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity are preferred.

Temporary

A completed application must consist of: 1) A letter of application indicating project preference and ranking the study areas in order of interest for applicants interested in being considered for more than one study area (the letter should also address y

Jan Cyrus, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331-3803

The employee conducts surveys for northern spotted owls to obtain occupancy, reproductive, and survival/demographic data. This requires driving government-owned vehicles on primitive forest roads and navigating difficult terrain on foot to access owl sites and locate owls during both day and night. The employee works independently and must follow two data acquisition protocols to make sound decisions in the field regarding the reproductive status of the owls. The employee must demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, and integrity as these decisions may have legal ramifications to state or federal agencies or private landowners.

Specific duties include:
1. Conduct surveys for northern spotted owls.
2. Confirm owl presence and identity by auditory detections and visual observation of color bands.
3. Maintain accurate field notes, care for field equipment and government vehicles.
4. Enter and summarize data, and prepare reports and preliminary analysis using computers (for some positions).
5. Capture and band owls.
6. Obtain blood samples from owls.
7. Work with vegetation maps and interpret aerial photographs using a stereoscope (some studies).
8. Determine vegetation characteristics, floristics, and physiography of owl roost and nest locations.
9. Collect and analyze owl pellets to determine food habits.
10, Work closely with personnel of the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, private landowners and other agencies.
11. Southern Cascades study area: use radio telemetry to locate telemetered spotted owls and accurately map all locations, may use program XYLOG to assist in analyzing telemetry data. Additional work gathering fire severity data also may be required.

All of the above duties must be performed with a high degree of quality, uniformity, and timeliness. The employee must work as a team member and may be required to live and work in close quarters and in isolated settings for extended periods of time. The job involves working alone in remote forest areas and navigating over mountainous terrain. Orienteering skills, including the use of maps, compass, and handheld GPS units are essential to the collection of data in the field. The work is physically strenuous and involves working and hiking in rain, snow, heat, and on steep, brushy slopes. The employee will work varying time schedules throughout the season, with work being done during the day, night, and/or early morning. Employees will be required to provide their own binoculars at some study areas.

Housing may be available on some study areas.

January 23, 2006