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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wildlife Conservation Program Technician

💰 $34,000 - $54,000

ConservationWildlifeEnvironmentalField Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Wildlife Conservation Program Technician supports field-based conservation programs by executing species and habitat monitoring, collecting and maintaining high-quality ecological data, assisting with habitat restoration and invasive species control, ensuring compliance with permits and safety protocols, and engaging with the public and volunteers. This role requires strong field skills (wildlife handling basics, telemetry, GPS/GIS, camera traps), data management proficiency, the ability to work in remote and physically demanding conditions, and a collaborative mindset to support programmatic goals and adaptive management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Seasonal Field Technician or Intern (wildlife, fisheries, forestry)
  • Park or Natural Resource Assistant
  • Environmental Education Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Wildlife Technician / Field Crew Lead
  • Restoration Specialist or Habitat Manager
  • Wildlife Biologist / Research Scientist
  • Conservation Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Analyst or Spatial Technician
  • Environmental Education Coordinator
  • Research Technician in academia or NGO

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct standardized field surveys for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife (e.g., point counts, transects, live trapping, camera trapping, spotlight and nocturnal surveys), following established protocols to ensure robust population and occupancy data for program monitoring and reporting.
  • Identify local flora and fauna to species level in the field using keys and field guides, documenting observations accurately for use in species distribution models and conservation planning.
  • Deploy, maintain, and retrieve remote monitoring equipment such as camera traps, acoustic recorders, PIT and VHF receivers/transmitters, and automated data loggers; ensure battery management, time-synchronization, and secure mountings.
  • Perform radio-telemetry tracking (VHF/UHF) and GPS triangulation to locate, monitor, and support handling of tagged animals, maintaining precise location records and behavioral notes for movement analyses.
  • Assist licensed personnel with the safe capture, handling, marking (e.g., PIT tags, ear tags), and release of wildlife under approved permits and follow animal welfare and safety protocols at all times.
  • Collect biological samples (blood, tissue, hair, fecal, swabs) and environmental samples (soil, water) using sterile techniques, accurately label and prepare chain-of-custody documentation, and coordinate shipment to partner laboratories.
  • Conduct habitat assessments and vegetation surveys (cover, structure, invasive species mapping) to inform habitat restoration and long-term monitoring; document conditions using standardized datasheets or mobile apps.
  • Implement habitat restoration and enhancement activities, including native planting, erosion control, invasive species control (manual removal, mechanical), and installation of wildlife structures (nest boxes, basking logs, fish passages).
  • Operate and maintain field vehicles, ATVs, boats, and field equipment safely and according to organizational policies; perform routine preventative maintenance and inventory of tools and supplies.
  • Collect, enter, validate, and QA/QC field data in databases and GIS systems (Excel, Access, ArcGIS/QGIS), ensuring accurate metadata, standardized coding, and timely turn-around to support analyses and reporting.
  • Prepare technical field reports, site visit summaries, and contribution sections for grant deliverables and technical manuscripts; present findings in clear, concise language suitable for scientific, management, and public audiences.
  • Support permit and compliance processes by preparing field logs, incident records, and documentation required for state and federal permits (e.g., ESA, state wildlife permits) and ensure field activities adhere to permit conditions.
  • Supervise, train, and coordinate volunteers and seasonal staff on safe field techniques, data collection protocols, equipment use, and field ethics to maximize data quality and team safety.
  • Conduct outreach and education activities including giving guided walks, school visits, community meetings, and interpretive demos to promote conservation programs, increase public support, and recruit volunteers.
  • Use GIS to create maps for field planning, habitat prioritization, and stakeholder communications; digitize field features, analyze spatial patterns, and produce map products for reports and presentations.
  • Maintain accurate inventory and ordering records for consumables, traps, batteries, and safety gear; manage logistics for field campaigns including permits, site access, lodging, and equipment staging.
  • Monitor and report on project performance metrics (effort-hours, survey coverage, captures, nest success) to supervisors and funders, suggesting adaptive changes to improve program outcomes.
  • Conduct safety risk assessments and implement mitigation measures for remote work, hazardous terrain, inclement weather, and potentially dangerous wildlife encounters; maintain current first aid/CPR and Wilderness First Aid certifications as required.
  • Respond to wildlife emergencies and incidents in the field—performing initial response, documentation, and coordination with veterinarians, agencies, or rescue partners—while preserving sample and data integrity.
  • Participate in experimental or applied research tasks including experimental plot set-up, randomized sampling, and collaborative work with academic partners to test conservation interventions.
  • Assist with grant writing and proposal support by compiling field results, budgetary needs, and program accomplishments to help secure ongoing funding for conservation projects.
  • Support the development and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety plans, and monitoring protocols to maintain consistent high-quality implementation across crews and seasons.
  • Ensure ethical handling, humane treatment, and legal compliance for all wildlife interactions, maintaining confidentiality for sensitive species location data when required for conservation security.

Secondary Functions

  • Coordinate transportation and logistics for multi-day field campaigns and partner site visits.
  • Support ad-hoc analyses and produce visualizations (maps, charts) for internal briefings and external partners.
  • Contribute to outreach materials (fact sheets, social media posts, newsletters) to broaden public engagement with the conservation program.
  • Participate in interagency meetings and collaborative initiatives to align monitoring protocols and share best practices across conservation partners.
  • Maintain and upgrade field software and mobile applications, recommending new tools to streamline data capture and increase field efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient species identification skills for local birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants; demonstrated ability to use field guides and dichotomous keys.
  • Radio-telemetry use and interpretation (VHF/UHF); experience with antenna use, triangulation, and fix quality assessment.
  • Experience deploying and troubleshooting camera traps, acoustic recorders, PIT tag readers, and other remote-sensing devices.
  • Field sampling techniques: live trapping (Sherman, Tomahawk, cage traps), mist-netting basics (if applicable and under supervision), safe handling, and sample collection with chain-of-custody.
  • GPS and GIS competency: collecting waypoints in the field, basic spatial analyses, map production in ArcGIS or QGIS, and preparing geodatabases.
  • Data management and QA/QC: database entry (Excel, Access), data cleaning, and familiarity with metadata standards and version control practices.
  • Basic laboratory skills for sample processing (filtering water, preparing swabs, properly storing biological samples) and coordinating with diagnostic labs.
  • Operation of field vehicles, ATVs, boats, and safe use of field equipment; valid driver's license and clean driving record required.
  • Knowledge of federal/state wildlife laws, permitting processes, and ethical considerations for working with protected species.
  • Proficiency with common office software (Microsoft Office/Google Workspace); experience with R, Python, or other analysis tools desirable for data summary.
  • Use of mobile data collection platforms (e.g., Survey123, ArcGIS Collector, Fulcrum, iNaturalist) to digitize field observations.
  • Wilderness First Aid, CPR, or equivalent emergency response certifications preferred; boat safety and commercial driver's license (CDL) a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to data quality and protocol adherence.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills for technical reporting, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach.
  • Able to work independently in remote settings and as part of a multidisciplinary team; demonstrates initiative and accountability.
  • Physical stamina and resilience: comfortable hiking long distances, carrying heavy packs, and working in variable weather and terrain.
  • Problem-solving and adaptability: troubleshoot field equipment failures and adjust protocols in real-time while maintaining scientific rigor.
  • Leadership and mentoring capacity to train seasonal staff and volunteers, provide constructive feedback, and maintain team morale.
  • Time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks during busy field seasons.
  • Cultural sensitivity and professionalism when interacting with landowners, tribal partners, and local communities.
  • Data stewardship mindset: maintains data confidentiality for sensitive species locations and follows data sharing agreements.
  • Collaborative mindset and experience in building partnerships across agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED plus substantial relevant field experience (1–3 years) OR
  • Associate degree in wildlife technology, natural resources, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, or related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Wildlife Biology
  • Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Natural Resources Management
  • Forestry
  • Fisheries Science
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–5 years of field experience in wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, or related conservation programs.

Preferred:

  • 2–4+ years of progressive experience with standardized monitoring protocols, telemetry, trapping, and project reporting.
  • Proven experience coordinating field crews, supervising volunteers, or leading small teams.
  • Demonstrated experience working under federal or state permits and collaborating with regulatory agencies.

Certifications and licensure such as First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid, chainsaw safety (if applicable), boat operator certification, or commercial driver's license (CDL) may be required or preferred depending on project needs.

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