U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO), Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), is seeking to fill multiple seasonal positions for trapping of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in Nevada and California during the late summer and fall months. Primary duties may include Sage-Grouse capture and handling, spotlighting, netting, camping, driving on unimproved roads, hiking, and data management. Work hours are primarily nocturnal and four weeks of work hours (160 hours) are completed in three calendar weeks (22 days), with the fourth calendar week as paid time off each month. Three trapping stints of four weeks each (three weeks on and one week off) are planned from August 13th – October 29th, with an option of a fourth round in November if sample sizes haven’t yet been achieved.

The Great Basin landscape is beautiful but rugged. Temperature extremes will range from pleasant hiking conditions (~mid 60 degrees F) during work hours in August and September to very cold (<32 degrees F) by the end of October. Each four-week trapping cycle is camping based as teams regularly move sites when trap quotas have been reached. Tents, cots, camp gear, and cooking stoves, as well as all data collection gear, will be provided by the project, but technicians are expected to bring their own clothing, sleeping bags, and equipment that isn’t essential for the position.