Marbled Murrelet Crew Leaders

Come join the Turnstone Environmental team, and spend your summer hiking through Oregon’s Coast Range, surveying for the endangered marbled murrelet!

Marbled murrelets are a threatened species (state endangered in Oregon) of seabird that nests primarily in coastal old growth forests. We are currently looking for crew leaders to help us manage our crews of field biologists and conduct early morning surveys for marbled murrelets in western Oregon.

Location

We typically have field crews based in the beautiful Oregon towns of Astoria, Corvallis, Forest Grove, McMinnville, Tillamook, and potentially southern Oregon.

Salary Range & INCENTIVES

$2,900 – $3,600 Monthly ($18.13 – $22.50 Hourly)

Salary range is dependent upon project and applicant experience.

Season Completion Bonus!

$800/month vehicle reimbursement with use of personal field-capable vehicle

Field housing (depending on location)

Dates of Employment

Mid-April 2023 – Late-July/Early-August 2023 (possibility of extension)

Due to protocol requirements, mission critical work periods include April 16-21, June 15-16, and July 1-21; work schedule can be more flexible during other parts of the field season—please inquire during interview.

To Apply

To apply, please complete the application below on this page. SORRY BUT TO KEEP THINGS ORGANIZED EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Application review and interviews to begin immediately and will continue until positions are filled.

 

Job Duties
  • Day-to-day organization and leadership for field crew, including mentoring and coordinating field logistics
  • Communicating information between your field crew and your supervisor, maintaining open communication with your supervisor throughout the field season and providing weekly updates
  • Facilitating weekly crew meetings and safety discussions
  • Responsible for composition, corrections, and maintenance of the season survey schedule for crew
  • Submit bi-weekly updates to your supervisor with all data collected by your crew, ensuring data accuracy
  • Review and submit timesheets and mileage logs for your field crew
  • Conduct marbled murrelet surveys following an established protocol
  • Work independently in the early morning hours (including pre-dawn) in the forest
  • Use GPS and basic navigational tools to locate and set up survey stations
  • Record, transcribe and submit accurate survey data

All crew leaders will be provided with extensive training prior to starting surveys. Typically, housing is provided for our field crews. Occasional camping is often preferred and may be required. A field vehicle will be provided unless the employee chooses to use a personal vehicle for reimbursement. We offer an 800$/month vehicle stipend to anyone who chooses to use their own field capable vehicle.

There may also be opportunities after the field season to work on a variety of other interesting and collaborative field projects related to special-status wildlife species for the right candidates.

Interviews are currently underway and will continue until all positions are filled. Once positions are filled, this application will remain as an open continuous announcement for applicants interested in any future openings that may occur with increased workloads.

Desired Qualifications

Applicants should have or be working towards a B.S. degree in wildlife biology (or a closely related field).  1-2 previous seasons of field experience are required.   Additional preferred qualifications include:

  • Previous experience in a leadership role on a field crew, and/or with any of the duties detailed above.
  • Excellent communication and management skills – ability to maintain a positive attitude and sense of humor, as well as uphold team morale throughout the field season.
  • Excellent time and data management skills
  • A strong work ethic, and desire to learn new protocols and explore the Oregon Coast Range
  • Be in good physical condition, and feel comfortable hiking alone each day in steep and variable terrain
  • Integrity, and accuracy in adhering to scientific protocols and in recording data
  • Knowledge of navigating with a compass, GPS and topographic map
  • Working knowledge of western bird identification (or willingness to learn)
  • Flexible, detail-oriented, resourceful, and comfortable working independently
  • A valid state-issued driver’s license with clean driving record and the ability to navigate forest roads of variable condition and operate a 4WD vehicle
  • Applicants must have normal vision and hearing, must submit hearing test results prior to starting work
  • A general appreciation of the natural wonders of the Oregon coast and willingness to explore them.

Successful candidates will gain valuable experience in field ornithology, endangered species surveys, advanced field skills, and get a chance to see what a career in environmental consulting could look like, all while working closely with a diverse team of other motivated folks in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

 

This job is no longer accepting applications.