The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, located in the Central Valley of California, is hiring 4 biological science technicians to assist with invasive nutria (Myocastor coypus) management and endangered riparian brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) projects. Nutria are invasive rodents that were first redetected in California in 2017 after having been successfully eradicated in the 1970’s. Since their rediscovery, they have spread rapidly throughout the state. Nutria cause substantial damage to wetland vegetation and water management infrastructure which are especially important to the Refuge Complex, which hosts hundreds of thousands of wintering waterfowl and shorebirds annually. Main duties of this position will include surveying wetlands in search of nutria sign, camera trapping, data entry in ArcGIS Online and the Collector App, data management, live trapping, dispatch, and performing necropsies.

Technicians will also assist with endangered riparian brush rabbit projects for part of the year including live trapping, vaccinations, and camera surveys. Duties will include setting and cleaning live traps, handling rabbits, recording measurements, ear tagging, vaccination, and assisting veterinarians with post anesthesia recovery. This project is part of a collaborative team of researchers from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oakland Zoo and River Partners.

Technicians may also help with other biological tasks on the complex including: sandhill crane surveys, Aleutian cackling goose surveys and banding, mourning dove banding, and elk surveys.

These are full-time term appointments expected to last 13 months but may be extended for a total appointment of 4 years at management’s discretion. The start date is flexible depending on applicant schedules, from July-September 2023. Shared refuge housing is available for $243.24/month, or $112.25 biweekly.

Visit the job posting for more information: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/728070700