Position Description:

Volunteers will assist park biologists in reducing human-wildlife conflicts by detecting and mitigating the availability of human food in campgrounds, parking lots, lodging facilities, and other park areas. Volunteers will help educate the public about wildlife in the park, give guidance about food storage, and assist with other wildlife management related tasks when necessary.

Housing:

Shared campsite in Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley.

Primary Duties:

• Volunteers will assist park biologists in reducing human-wildlife conflicts by detecting and mitigating the availability of human food in campgrounds, parking lots, lodging facilities and other park areas including both front country and wilderness areas.
• Monitor movements of bears using radio telemetry; assist in capture, immobilization, tagging, and relocation of bears.
• Assist with negative conditioning of bears and other wildlife using various tactics which may include the use of a paintball gun.
• Complete daily patrol logs and bear incident reports and enter information into a database.
• Assist with capture and relocation of other wildlife including small mammals, rattlesnakes, and birds.
• Assist with other wildlife management programs when necessary.
• Volunteers may also participate in wilderness patrols, focusing on educating hikers and backpackers about bears and proper food storage, doing food storage patrols, and chasing bears from backcountry campsites. This position requires a high level of public contact.

Qualifications/Eligibility:

• Volunteers must commit to the position for at least 12 weeks (May - August) but preference for people with longer availability will be given.
• Volunteers will be expected to work 40 hours/week.
• Applicants should be able to work as a team member during patrols and bear capture efforts, but also work well independently.
• Willing to work long and irregular hours and weekends as dictated by bear activity; varying work hours including night shift (2pm p.m. to 12 a.m. or later), day shift (starting at 6am), and irregular schedule including night and weekends.
• Be in excellent physical condition to negotiate rough and mountainous terrain, lift heavy loads.
• Be an experienced hiker.
• An academic background or training in wildlife management, zoology, or biology is desired.
• Must have CPR training and first aid certification and a valid driver’s license.