Internship – Wildlife Technician

The Internship – Wildlife Technician at Student Conservation Association involves conducting wildlife surveys in Colorado's Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Responsibilities include acoustic and visual surveys, habitat improvement, and educational outreach. The role requires collaboration in a small team, data collection, and field navigation. Applicants should be pursuing a degree in wildlife biology or a related field and must be able to hike and identify local species.
Job Description

Position Summary

The Wildlife Field Technician will work with U.S. Forest Service Biologists and Wildlife Field Lead to conduct various wildlife surveys within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Surveys and other job duties include but are not limited to: acoustic and visual surveys for raptors and songbirds, prairie dog mapping, remote camera traps, amphibian population monitoring, pollinator netting, bat acoustic surveys, habitat improvement work, and educational outreach both in classrooms and booths. Majority of wildlife survey efforts are done in support of various fuel reduction, timber sale, and forest resiliency projects occurring on the forest in addition to annual monitoring efforts. Technicians can expect to spend 70% of their time in the field and 30% in the office completing data entry and quality control, field gear and vehicle maintenance, reading and understanding survey protocols, and studying species identification such as bird vocalizations, feather identification, and wildlife tracks. This position may also receive ArcGIS Pro training and create maps. This position provides the individual with hands-on training in wildlife biology fieldwork, as well as an introduction to the laws, regulations, and policies that guide natural resource management in the Forest Service.

Schedule

May 5, 2025 – September 22, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Be an active participant in two-to-three-person sample crew and ensure crew is working toward Zone priorities
• follow established protocols for survey and data form completion
• ensure accurate and complete data collection and data entry
• may help train other interns or volunteers on designated projects and protocols
• take detailed field notes
• conduct data entry, field data collection, field navigation, and quality assurance of data
• follow established protocols for surveys and data form completion
• evaluate data and field observations and make recommendations for improvement of habitat or species
• daytime surveys and nest searches for American goshawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and other raptors
• nocturnal surveys for flammulated and boreal owl
• conduct amphibian breeding and habitat surveys
• mountain plover surveys
• prairie dog town mapping
• deploy acoustic detectors for bat monitoring and storing collected data
• install and check remote cameras including changing SD cards and batteries, reviewing and cataloging photos, and summarizing data using Excel software
• Preble’s meadow jumping mouse habitat evaluation and photo monitoring
• abandoned fence removal
• participate in education outreach opportunities such as educational booths at fairs or in classroom programming

Required Qualifications
• Applicants have either graduated or are working towards a degree in a wildlife biology program or a related discipline
• familiar with biological concepts and wildlife survey techniques
• familiar with fauna of the Northern Colorado region
• able to visually and acoustically identify northern Colorado bird and amphibian species
• ability to hike in all conditions
• able to use binoculars and spotting scope
• must possess and maintain valid driver’s license
• must own a car, or have means of regular transportation, for travel to and from duty station daily
• possess good verbal and written communications skills
• preference will be given to candidates with previous experience performing bird surveys and raptor nest searches
• good navigation and route-finding skills

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, natural resource management, conservation management, or related discipline -OR- completed a minimum of 20 credit hours towards a degree in the fields listed above
• at least 1 season of field experience with wildlife surveys
• familiar with Global Positioning System (GPS) units, Field Maps or Survey 123, and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications such as ArcGIS Pro
• familiar with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Government housing is a shared room within a bunkhouse.

Compensation

Living allowance – $600/week; Government housing and housing allowance – $400/month; $1,100 round trip travel/gear allowance. Eligible for AmeriCorps education award upon completion of service hours.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits

Bear SafetyDefensive Drive TrainingFirst Aid/CPRInterpretive SkillsOff-Road Vehicle SafetyAmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.