Housing Support: On-site housing available, at no cost to Fellow.

Housing Description: Housing is available at the Refuge bunkhouse, which is located at the south end of the Refuge approximately 2 miles from the Refuge Headquarters and approximately 5 miles from Alturas, CA. Although a car is recommended, it is not required as most necessities are within biking or long-walking distance. A walking and biking trail connects the Refuge visitor center to town. The town of Alturas has your basic accommodations available such as grocery stores, gas stations, health clinic, post office, public library, restaurants, etc.

Valid Driver’s License: Required

Transportation Support Description: Public transportation is limited in this location. We recommend that the Fellow bring a personal vehicle. If the DFP chooses not to bring a personal vehicle, there is a walking and biking trail that connects the Refuge visitor center to town. There is also a Sage Stage bus service available. They have local routes around town, but they also have routes to Reno, NV, Redding, CA, Klamath Falls, OR, and Canby, CA. Local bus fare from the Refuge provided housing to Alturas is $2.00.

Position Description: This position will be assisting Modoc National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in the monitoring and management of conservation easements held by the USFWS. Modoc NWR is located outside the town of Alturas, CA, in the High Desert Region of the Great Basin. The Refuge is an oasis for wildlife created by the Pit River which is fed by snowmelt form the Warner Mountains.

This work upholds the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage the lands entrusted to the USFWS for the good of the resource and the American people. This Fellowship position will continue work started and carried on by DFP Fellows since 2014.

The selected Fellow will be responsible for:

• Contacting and communicating with USFWS conservation easement landowners,
• Driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV),
• Completing vegetation survey monitoring on conservation easements,
• Comparing the vegetation survey results to those taken 5 and 10 years ago,
• Completing photo-monitoring on the easements,
• Comparing new photos to previous year photos,
• Conducting fence checks and map maintenance needs in ESRI Field Maps,
• Mapping invasive species present on the easements,
• Using multiple computer programs and tools such as Microsoft Office, ArcGIS Pro, and ESRI Field Maps,
• Writing comparison reports of 2014 and 2019 vegetation surveys to 2024 survey data, with regards to hay and grazing effects and invasive species management for each easement,
• Conducting data management activities for current and past survey data as well as other easement information, and
• Verbally presenting the results of survey data as well as a report of the state of all easements to Modoc NWR staff.

The Fellow in this position will gain knowledge of multiple programs within the USFWS including, National Wildlife Refuge System, USFWS Easement program, and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Fellow will receive multiple trainings and be given the option to conduct informational interviews with other USFWS personnel outside of Modoc NWR.

Minimum Education Level: Open for consideration to undergraduate rising senior/seniors and graduate students who will not complete their degree requirements before September 22, 2024.

Fields of Study:

• Biological Sciences

Working Conditions Requirements: 

• Ability to conduct field work involving hiking and carrying equipment
• Ability to lift/carry 50 pounds
• Ability to do field work requiring regular and recurring physical activity such as prolonged standing, walking over wet and/or rocky surfaces, stooping, bending, kneeling, and climbing
• Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions such as high heat
• Willingness to learn how to drive ATVs
• Basic plant identification skills
• Basic knowledge of or familiarity with GIS

Desired Characteristics: 

• Comfortable working independently
• Conflict management skills