Technician Aquatics / Wildlife - Mendocino Forest Products Company

Overview

Mendocino Redwood Company (MRC) is looking for Technicians to join our Aquatics / Wildlife team in either Ukiah, CA or Fort Bragg, CA. This position is seasonal from Mid-December 2024 through Mid-May 2025. 

The hourly rate for this position is $26.65-$30.65 depending on experience and includes full benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and 401K Matching.

The Mendocino Companies (Mendocino Forest Products Company, Mendocino Redwood Company, Humboldt Redwood Company, Humboldt Sawmill Company, and Allweather Wood) own nearly 450,000 acres of Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C031337) certificated redwood and Douglas-fir timberland, constitute the largest waterborne wood treater in the Western USA, and is the largest producer of redwood lumber in the world. Collectively providing 950 employees and their families with excellent wages and benefits in communities throughout the Western USA. Additionally, the Mendocino Companies own and operate a 25-megaWatt biomass cogeneration power plant and wood pellet plant.

Under the direction of the Director, Forest Sciences and Lead Biologists this position will survey for and monitor listed salmonids as part of the California Coastal Monitoring Program, and help survey for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species associated with Timber Harvesting Plans (THPs) and may perform other THP-related duties.

Responsibilities

The key areas of focus for this position are as follows;   

• Conducts spawning surveys for salmonids according to the Coastal Monitoring Program protocol.
• Safely captures, marks and releases salmonids associated with out-migrant research.
• Conducts aquatic surveys and habitat measurements for amphibian monitoring program.
• Collects instream flow measurements for water-drafting monitoring program.
• Safely navigates steep and difficult terrain and occasionally works in inclement weather.
• Conducts Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) surveys and monitoring.
• Conducts surveys for other sensitive species.
• Cares for and maintains rodent colony and feeds live mice to NSOs.
• Conducts database, office and field preparations.
• Works alone or in small groups in remote areas at night (i.e. conducting night surveys on foot).
• Operates an Electro Fisher to conduct fish surveys in a safe and proficient manner.
• Travels throughout the area defined in the THP and marks timber for cutting.
• Flags boundaries of the area defined in the THP.
• Records watercourse classifications and other relevant data as required to conform to the Forest Practice Rules.
• Conducts other surveys including botanical and archeological as needed.
• Prepares field notes to use in writing the THP.
• Conducts timber cruising and performs inventory analysis.
• May administer vegetation projects including supervising planting trees.
• Administers road surveys and maintenance activities.

Qualifications

• High school education preferred.
• Course work toward a bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) from a four-year college or university in Fisheries, Wildlife Biology, Forestry or Forest Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with concepts in forest ecology, and wildlife management techniques and security procedures.
• Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and communicate. 
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must have ability to use directional compass and topographical maps. 
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly exposed to outside adverse weather and field conditions including steep difficult terrain. 
• As the employee is often required to use four-wheel drive, all terrain vehicles, and chainsaws, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; and fumes or airborne particles. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• This position may require the following equipment when in the field: eye protection, hearing protection, safety shoes, leather/rubber gloves, sleeve protection and a hard hat.
• Position travels 95% of the time within a local nature (within 100) miles usually by truck. 

Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Problem Solving

Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics 

Adaptability & Dependability

Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; Follows instructions, responds to leadership direction; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Teamwork

Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Motivation & Initiative

Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions as appropriate; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer, Valuing Diversity of our Workforce and Offering a Drug Free Workplace