The selected intern will assist refuge biologists with biological inventory and monitoring programs at the 11.2 million acre Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge situated in the Yukon Flats Basin about one hours flight north of Fairbanks. About two weeks of training will be provided prior to the start of the field season. Summer activities will include monitoring snowshoe hares using pellet counts in support of a lynx movement study; maintaining camera traps in support of a furbearer density study, analyzing camera trap data; participating in a youth outreach and open house events in a Alaska native village; collecting soil microbe samples, collecting bees on a pollinator survey; conducting a 10 day waterfowl brood survey; and assist with a two week mallard banding project including banding ducks and entering banding data.
We are seeking an individual with hen and brood identification, sexing and banding skills of prominent Alaska waterfowl. The position will be based in refuge provided housing in Fairbanks. While in the field housing will be at a remote cabin or by tent camping. Transport to the field is by float equipped aircraft and ground transportation is by foot, canoe and motorized boat.
The study areas are typical of the boreal forest biome with rivers, many wetlands, bogs, tussock meadows, spruce forest, burn scars, etc. In addition to the vibrant bird life there, the full complement of boreal mammals occurs, including moose, black and brown bears, wolf, red fox, lynx, river otter, beavers, etc. Potential candidates should be mature and self-motivated, and work well in a small crew in a very remote setting. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated experience in bird surveys/research and remote field work. Candidate should expect challenging environmental conditions (heat, rain, insect harassment), hiking long distances over uneven terrain with a moderately sized daypack, and potential bear encounters.
If you have questions about the position, please contact Mark Bertram, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, at [email protected]
To learn more about Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/yukon_flats/ or https://www.facebook.com/YukonFlatsNationalWildlifeRefuge.
Compensation amounts:
- $1,700 – one time travel allowance
- $450 – weekly living allowance
- $300 – duty-related reimbursable expenses
- Housing provided
- AmeriCorps education award ($2,626.27)
*All allowances subject to applicable local, state and federal taxes
*Please include an attached resume with your SCA application.
It is SCA's policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared prior to the position's start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position's start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.
*For SCA's COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid
Position ID: PO-00735780
Expected Dates: May 1, 2024 - August 30, 2024
Location:
101 12th Avenue, Room 264
Fairbanks, AK 99701
US
Training Provided: Bear safety and awareness, Bear firearms and bear spray, Aviation safety, Aircraft water ditching training, and other safety training as deemed necessary; hands-on training in bird identification, surveying, capture, banding, transect surveys.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: There are lots of recreational opportunities in and around Fairbanks, Alaska. The Refuge itself is also a great place to recreate. Working in the field on biological projects may feel like a recreational expedition.
Handicap Accessible?: Yes
Main Area of Focus: Wildlife Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Not needed
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
While in Fairbanks, intern will be housed in a shared bunk house near refuge HQ with typical amenities or
within 3 miles of HQ and transportation will be provided. Bunkhouse has separate bedrooms for males and
females, but bathroom is shared. While in the field, Intern will be housed in a Refuge cabin or tent camping.
Refuge cabins have limited amenities and no running water. Access to the study area is by float equipped aircraft, motorized boat, canoe, and hiking. The study areas are typical of the boreal forest biome with rivers, many wetlands, bogs, tussock meadows, spruce forest, burn
scars, etc. In addition to the vibrant bird life there, the full complement of boreal mammals occurs, including
moose, black and brown bears, wolf, red fox, lynx, river otter, beavers, etc.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes