Position: Wildlife Ecology Technician (seasonal)

Reports to: Director of Research (Dr. Scott LaPoint)

JOIN BLACK ROCK FOREST!

Black Rock Forest (BRF; www.blackrockforest.org) is a small non-profit organization with programs in environmental research, education, and conservation. The organization’s facilities, including offices, labs, classrooms, and a lodge, are located in the 3,920-acre Forest of the same name in Cornwall, NY. BRF has 10 full-time staff and functions largely as a biological field station.

Position Summary: Join our research staff this winter to help us execute our research programs in wildlife ecology. Our winter wildlife ecology efforts focus on the movement and behaviors of bobcat (Lynx rufus) and fisher (Pekania pennanti) and mammal surveys via camera traps. We strive for conservation application in our research, including working toward a better estimate of regional landscape connectivity and mechanisms for creating more permeable roads for wildlife.

Responsibilities & Opportunities: The technician will experience a small non-profit and will execute scientific principles for conservation. Winter duties include camera trap deployments, lure and bait processing, image management, and identification of species within images. Live-trapping efforts will focus on bobcat and fisher, requiring daily, morning checks often solo with a BRF vehicle. GPS-tracking collars will be deployed on healthy individuals, thus with some luck, the technician can expect to learn field biotelemetry methods to re-locate collared individuals. The technician will also enter data and maintain gear and supplies. Applicants who enjoy working in R are highly encouraged to apply. Additional research opportunities and experiences will be available via other ongoing projects at Black Rock Forest.

Qualifications:

A top candidate will

• have an enthusiasm for field ecology, particularly in typical winter conditions,
• be willing to learn new ideas, strategies, and methods for conducting ecology research,
• be self-motivated, reliable, and punctual,
• enjoy hiking, working alone, navigating difficult terrain, and troubleshooting,
• have previous experience capturing and handling carnivores,
• have knowledge of local wildlife,
• possess a valid driver’s license and dependable personal transportation,
• be comfortable navigating forest roads via a utv or willing to become so,
• show attention to detail, particularly for data management, and
• be an effective communicator, both within the research team and the public, including a willingness to seek clarity when needed.

Timeline & Compensation: This is a full-time, 6-month, seasonal position, starting November 2025 through April/May 2026, with the possibility of an extension, funding dependent. Exact start/end dates are flexible. This is an hourly position, with 40-hour work weeks and weekend work expected. We offer $18 per hour with subsidized housing available.