Ecology Monitoring Technician

Overview

Ecological Monitoring Technician

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests, is seeking four Ecological Monitoring Technicians to support the CFLRP program. Technicians will help collect and review ecological monitoring data related to forest health, sensitive and cultural plants, invasive species, wildlife, and fire effects. Technicians will primarily assist in data collection for monitoring efforts and are expected to plan and carry out assignments independently.

The work will occur mostly in the field and will require travel from the duty station to field sites up to 5 hours away. Camping may be required for distant field sites. Field conditions may include inclement weather and the need for safety precautions and/or protective clothing and equipment. Technicians will work with one other intern, and may also work as part of a larger ACE intern crew, volunteers, and/or partner organizations.

Start Date: Ideally May 4, 2026, though some flexibility may be possible upon request

Estimated End Date: Mid-late October (24 weeks after start date)

Location Details/

Description:

Wenatchee, WA (Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest) and Colville, WA (Colville National Forest).

Position Overview: These positions will assist the Eastern Washington Ecology Program and other Forest Service programs and research entities in collecting monitoring data to support CFLRP projects. This includes stand-level vegetation monitoring of trees, understory vegetation, and fuels, deploying acoustic recording units (ARUs), and conducting habitat monitoring for bird and mammal species of interest. Monitoring work may also include whitebark pine surveys, cultural plant monitoring, and investigating impacts of wildfire and past fuels treatments across the CFLRP landscape.

This placement aims to facilitate professional development and provide opportunities to network with professionals, including exposure to different conservation fields and shadowing opportunities across forest programs.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $760/week to offset food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. The living allowance is fixed by USFS and ACE and is not flexible.

Housing: US Forest Service bunkhouse lodging may be available to candidates, pending availability. If available, technicians would pay housing at the USFS bunkhouse rate (typically < $15/day). If bunkhouse lodging is not available or accepted, housing will be the responsibility of the ACE member.

Gear Assistance: ACE members will have access to up to $200 for eligible project gear expenses. Details will be provided during the interview process.

Field Per Diem: Available for qualifying work hours at a rate of $50/night.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term. PLC projects include eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Contact ACE staff or view general information on ACE's website for more details.

Qualifications

Required:

• Some college education (or current enrollment) in Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Natural Resources or a related program, and/or experience in forestry, rangeland, or other ecological data collection techniques.
• Ability to navigate rough and steep terrain at field sites, including hiking, stooping, bending, and potentially climbing. Ability to lift and carry moderately heavy items (