Individual Placement - Avian Monitoring Field Biologist

Position Summary

SCA interns will work in team of two to support FFU Crew Leads and Team Lead to mobilize, then execute the avian deterrence missions in the lower Columbia River Estuary. This will entail working rotations of shifts that span early mornings and late evenings. Evening crews will boat to the islands, work until 1 hr after

sundown, sleep in GOV furnished tents, then awake before sunrise and return to work implementing dissuasion until the morning crew comes to relieve them from their duty station. These rotations of morning and evening shifts will be staffed seven days per week excluding federal holidays. Work will be conducted

40-60 hours per week in all weather conditions. Dissuasion involves non-lethal deterrent technologies, physical labor, and, attention to detail. The goal is to deter all colonial waterbirds from roosting and nesting on the dredged material islands.

Location

Astoria, OR

• Schedule

February 2, 2026 - August 7, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent interns will be expected to:

• Operate ATVs, trucks, and boat trailers in a proficient and safe manner
• Execute dissuasion tasks independently and safely with attention to

requirements:

• Use VHF marine radio, GOV furnished cellphone, email, and MS teams to be in

regular and as needed communication with team

• Record data and communicate with team in a professional manner
• Be self-sufficient with camping gear and self-care in a wilderness situation
• Work as a cooperative team member under arduous conditions
• Have environmental aptitude to understand that management requires the

application of lethal and non-lethal tools.

Marginal Duties

• Report times, safety hazards, and wellness issues in a timely and

professional manner.

• Co-habit a field house with four-five other staff members. Keeping

cleanliness, mutual respect, and communication highlighted.

Required Qualifications:

• Background in wildlife ecology/management. Natural resources is sufficient,

but an understanding or appreciation that management actions are directed and

• executed per rules and guidelines is a must. Further, incumbents must be

comfortable with the fact that naturally producing populations of animals live and die, and at times management must intervene to accomplish the desired outcome

• Strong communication skills, both inter-personal and intra-personal. Team

dynamics and health are critical to ensure performance throughout the field season. Remote stationing for hours on end requires personal aptitude and self-care with excellent communication of needs and issues as they arise to ameliorate potential conflict

• Troubleshooting skills. The equipment will break, materials will not always

be available, and repairs will be slower than necessary. These are fundamental aspects of doing remote work. Incumbents will need to have efficient and proactive trouble shooting skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in boating, heavy equipment operation, and vehicle repair.
• Previous biological data collection and remote field positions.
• Knowledge of colonial piscivorous waterbird colonies.
• Ornithology and ichthyology.

Hours

Work will be conducted 40-60 hours per week in all weather conditions

Living Accommodations

A GOV furnished house will be provided and will house the SCA interns and FFU crew leads and occasional team lead and visiting staff. Shared cooking, bathing, and common areas is to be expected, but private locking bedrooms will be

• provided. Overnight sleeping arrangements will be provided on island in the form

of tents, cots, and basic cook wear. These will be communal and shared.

Compensation:

• $550 Weekly Living Allowance
• $52 Weekly Commuting Allowance
• $500 in Reimbursable Duty Related Travel Funding (Receipts required)
• Up to $650 in Relocation or RT travel reimbursement (Receipts required)
• Housing on Site provided/ Camping Arrangements described in accommodations
• SCA Field Work Uniform Package

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

• Recommended

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

First Aid/CPR

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.