Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station is seeking FOUR Avian Monitoring Members to contribute to wildlife and vegetation projects alongside PNW Research Station Staff in association with timber production, forest fire fuel reduction, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring.  

For more information about ACE, please visit our website. 

Start Date: May 5, 2025
End Date: August 29, 2025 & September 26, 2025
*a 17 to 21-week minimum commitment is required*

[TWO 17-week members and TWO 21-week members]

Location Details/Description: Pacific Northwest Research Station, La Grande, Oregon

Members will be based at Starkey Experimental Forest and Range near La Grande, OR. Starkey is a unique facility with a rich history of rangeland and grazing research. The setting is ecologically similar to the interior western forest landscapes, with mixed conifer forests and open fields of bunchgrass. Wildflowers are abundant in the summer. Members will be housed in a shared bunkhouse, with work conducted at numerous locations across the topographically and ecologically diverse Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. The climate is highly variable, and members are likely to encounter snow at higher elevations from May to June with temperatures potentially as high as 100°F at lower elevations in the late summer. 

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station is a leader in the scientific study of natural resources. We generate and communicate impartial knowledge to help people understand and make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. The station has 11 laboratories and research centers in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington as well as 12 active experimental forests, ranges, and watersheds. The PNW Research Station is an integral component of USDA Forest Service Research and Development (R&D), which is the most extensive natural resources research organization in the world. Forest Service R&D comprises five regional research stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. These research facilities, complemented by a network of 80 experimental forests, are strategically located to reflect the diversity of natural resources across the country. 

For more information about the Pacific Northwest Research Station, please visit the US Forest Service website. 

Position Overview:  

Members will be responsible for deploying and retrieving passive wildlife monitoring equipment at various sites within the Wallowa-Whiteman and Umatilla National Forests. Members will also conduct nest searches and checks for white-headed woodpeckers and will be tracking woodpeckers using VHF transmitters. Position duties include the following: 

• Deploying and retrieving acoustic recording units (ARUs) and game cameras. 
• Using GPS, topographic maps, and compass to independently navigate to field sites. 
• Hiking off trail through the forest up to 10 miles a day, possibly gaining up to 4000 ft in elevation, carrying up to 35 lbs. 
• Listening for woodpecker vocalizations, visually locating birds and nest cavities, and using radio telemetry equipment to locate individuals. 
• Using an iPad with Field Maps and Survey 123 to accurately record data and field notes. 
• Entering data and transferring acoustic files onto permanent storage media. 
• Validating functioning of units before deployment and troubleshooting in the field. 
• Driving significant distances on rural highways and old unmaintained logging roads, some of which are in poor condition. 
• Occasional camping in the field. Tents and camping equipment will be provided. 

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm. May work varying time schedules throughout the season, and may include long days and/or early mornings.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided USFS  housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for these positions can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field, and have experience with wildlife and/or vegetation, either in the field or through coursework. 
• This is a highly physical outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions. 
• Experience driving 4x4 and/or all-wheel drive vehicles safely on rural highways and old unmaintained logging roads, some of which are in poor condition.
• Strong experience hiking daily over long distances in remote, steep, and rocky terrain and in adverse weather conditions (off-trail).
• Competency with data entry, summarizing, compiling data, and transferring acoustic files onto permanent storage media.
• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS, mobile devices, topographic maps, and compass.
• Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of biological science sufficient to analyze findings. 
• Knowledge of the technical processes, procedures and techniques related to biological science samples, measurements, and analysis.
• Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete tasks. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft products.
• Experience conducting field work and biological surveys with established protocols. 
• Ability to work independently, and in small groups with minimal supervision, at day or night including hiking, driving, following survey protocol. 

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for handling small animals and plants, and for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs., and camp overnight under field conditions. 
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. Strong color vision is needed to identify some animals and plants, but accommodations are possible. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Work will be mostly outdoors. Outdoor conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions such as snow, heavy rain, and extreme heat is expected. Wildfire smoke in the summer is common; members may be required to wear N95 masks. 
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. 
• Travel: This position requires occasional domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, poisonous or thorny plants, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The members may be exposed to wildfire smoke in the late summer/early fall but will be provided with N95 masks to protect airways and/or given alternate tasks to limit exposure and exertion on days where air quality is poor. The members are expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, equipment, or resources.  

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:  If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the US Forest Service. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the US Forest Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the US Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to US Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.