Seasonal Restoration Technician

Bat Conservation International

Seasonal Restoration Technicians

Status: Seasonal, Full Time (non-exempt)

Location: Silver City

Reports to: Southern New Mexico Project Manager (Elizabeth James)

Compensation: $22.00-$24.00 an hour 

Duration of employment: late May through Early August 

BCI and our Mission

Bat Conservation International (BCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet. BCI is seeking two summer field technicians to further our mission by assisting in on-the-ground assessments of watershed conditions within the Gila National Forest. Technicians will spend most of the summer working in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness within the 2022 Black Fire burn scare. 

These positions will be based in and around the Gila National Forest's Wilderness and Black Range Ranger districts. Housing will be provided in Silver City, NM, for the duration of the contract.  

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

This position is ideal for highly motivated individuals who are comfortable camping and working in the backcountry. Successful candidates will spend the summer gathering data for watershed assessments while backpacking wilderness trails and cross-country routes. The season will consist of five to six eight-day hitches with six days off between hitches. 

These positions are ideal for undergraduate or graduate students who have completed coursework in hydrology, fisheries, botany, ecology, restoration, biology, wilderness management, or other natural resource management courses. Candidates with 2 years of applicable experience are also encouraged to apply, regardless of academic background.

BCI will provide seasonal Restoration Technicians a gear stipend to ensure they have the appropriate gear to successfully and safely spend hitches in the backcountry. Housing will be provided in or around Silver City, New Mexico, for the duration of the contract. Residing in Silver City for the summer is not required, however, techs must have reliable transportation and cover the cost of travel to Silver City for hitches. 

Position Description:

• Complete post-fire channel assessment Survey123 forms
• Navigate remote Forest Service roads to trailheads and project locations
• Safely navigate backcountry routes
• Practice Leave-No-Trace (LNT) principles and bear awareness
• Input post-hitch data and photos when necessary
• Possible opportunity to help with the deployment and retrieval of bat acoustic monitors 

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

Required Knowledge, Experience, and Skills

• Minimum of 2 years of coursework and/or experience working in natural resource management, restoration ecology, hydrology, botany, or other related fields
• Experience working or traveling in a backcountry setting
• Ability to work collaboratively when performing fieldwork 
• Ability to perform duties and make thoughtful decisions with little oversite
• Ability to hike 10-12 miles a day in a post-fire landscape with gear that may weigh up to 30 pounds 
• Current CPR and first aid certification
• A valid US driver's License 

Preferred Knowledge/Experience

• Backpacking in a professional setting
• Wilderness ethics including LNT 
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification 
• Experience in natural resource restoration and/or monitoring 
• Experience implementing field surveys 
• Experience in off-trail navigation via map and compass and/or GPS
• Ability to comfortably hike with a 50-pound pack 

Work Characteristics and Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, approachability, and creative problem-solving
• Comfortable in challenging situations and has high situational awareness
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptive
• Contributes to a healthy workplace and organization

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in the conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

To Apply: 

If you have 70% or more of the desired qualifications, we encourage you to apply. 

Individuals interested in applying should upload their résumé and cover letter to the application portal. In the cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this position, how your work and lived experiences have prepared you to be successful in this position, and how this role aligns with you and your career.  

These positions and start dates are dependent on the timeline of federal contracting funds. 

Applications are due by March 17th, 2025. 

Compensation and Benefits

• $22.00-24.00 an hour, full-time seasonal. Paid biweekly electronically or via check.
• Housing in Silver City or the immediate vicinity for the duration of your term.
• Gear stipend
• Organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development.
  
   

***All applications are reviewed in ADP Workforce Now.***
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