HWA Wildlife Consulting, LLC (HWA) is a natural resource consulting firm based in Laramie, Wyoming that specializes in wildlife monitoring, regulatory compliance, impact assessment, and wildlife research. We are looking for motivated avian biologists to join our team to assist with survey and monitoring of the federally threatened Streaked subspecies of Horned Larks (SHLA) in the Lower Columbia River of Oregon and Washington.  Duties will include conducting early morning occupancy and abundance surveys for SHLA and conducting habitat suitability mapping on a series of island and mainland sites managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  Access will require motorized boats, so applicants should be comfortable on boats in moving water, in potentially choppy conditions and inclement weather; boats will be operated by a professional marine services company. Positions will begin May 11 and end ~ July 10. Housing in Longview, WA (~ 1 hour from Portland, OR), per diem, and transportation in the field are provided.  This is a time sensitive project, so starting and ending dates are non-negotiable.

REQUIRED Qualifications:

• S. degree in Wildlife, Natural Resources, Ecology, or related field.
• Ability to identify grassland and wetland songbird species by sight and sound, and experience working with nesting songbirds.
• Ability to identify wildlife and plant species of the pacific northwest.
• Comfort and experience using boats, and ability to swim in an emergency.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Candidates must be able to follow all safety protocols and use good judgement while in the field.

Drug screening required (pre-employment and random testing).

The ideal applicant must have a strong background and experience conducting wildlife inventory and monitoring, preferably in grassland and/or wetland ecosystems.  Candidates must have a demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of people from industry, state and federal agencies, private landowners, the general public, and co-workers. They also must have a keen sense of observation, careful field data collection skills, strong navigational skills, and be proficient using computers, GPS units, and other electronic devices. They will be highly motivated, responsible, self-reliant, get along well with others, and enjoy working in challenging field settings. They must have the ability to travel and perform field work over extended time periods and have a willingness to work a highly variable and unpredictable schedule. Work will involve long days, often hiking long distances, and irregular hours.  Field conditions include sandy and muddy soils, and highly variable weather conditions, including wind, rain, and prolonged sun exposure. Above all, we are looking for applicants with a good sense of humor and strong work ethic who are dedicated to accomplishing tasks as part of a team.

Other important qualifications include experience with distance estimation and plotting wildlife locations, interpreting avian behavioral cues, use of a spotting scope and binoculars, comfort working around piscivorous birds (gulls and terns), and good judgment while in the field with safety as the top priority.  Applicants should be physically capable of extensive field work and should exhibit professionalism in landowner and agency interactions as representatives of HWA.