Condor Monitoring Fellow

Condor Monitoring Fellow

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Pinnacles National Park, is seeking One Member to contribute to condor monitoring projects with the California Condor Recovery Program alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: July 2025

Estimated End Date: July 2026

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Pinnacles National Park is located in California's Central Coast region of the Gabilan Mountain Range east of the Salinas Valley. The surrounding landscape is largely chaparral with areas of oak savannah and grasslands. The position is located at the east-side park headquarters in Paicines, CA. Nearest communities for shopping, doctors, hospitals, and other amenities are Hollister (40 miles, population 41,700), King City (40 miles, population 13,300), Gilroy (65 miles, population 58,100), Salinas (70 miles, population 163,500), and Monterey (90 miles, population 30,000).

Pinnacles National Park is fairly remote. Applicants must have a personal vehicle, as the nearest services are a one-hour drive in any direction. Additionally, there is limited cell-phone service in the park.

For more information about Pinnacles National Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: We are seeking one full-time intern to assist with monitoring captive and wild California condors based at Pinnacles National Park. The primary duties of the intern will be:

• Track, monitor and record condor movements, behaviors and interactions in captivity and the wild.
• Observe and document condors on video recordings and photos from cameras at high-use areas.
• Speak with the public and local community members about a high-profile endangered species which is reliant on public and private lands and hunting and ranching operations for its recovery.
• Monitor breeding behavior and nests.
• Handle animal carcasses used for bait stations.
• Maintain equipment and facilities; follow safety protocols and practices.
• Other duties as assigned to gain experience with other work groups such as habitat restoration and public education and outreach.

Internship will require: great attention to detail and safe work practices; the ability to work as part of a team as well as independently; an interest in talking with the public; the ability to hike up to 10 miles on steep and rugged terrain carrying 40 pounds of equipment; a tolerance for summer temperatures that exceed 100 degrees; and a sense of humor and patience. Interns may have opportunities to work with partners, other federal agencies, and other natural resource management projects as needed.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Interns will work 40-hour weeks, including at least one weekend day with some evening work.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $825/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position should have relevant experience in subject areas such as wildlife management, animal observation, and outdoor education.
• Knowledge of outdoor skills including hiking/backpacking.
• Ability and willingness to hike up to 10 miles per day carrying 40 pounds of equipment, handle animal carcasses, and regularly interface with the public.
• Deep interest in wildlife conservation and endangered species management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website.Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Western Member Manager, Bee Garcia-Glenn

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Salary : $825