Montana gray wolf conservation needs volunteers

[Sherry Sandretto <slsandre@xxxxxxx>]

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY



*Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks*

*_GRAY WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM_*

_ _

We are seeking professional volunteers to assist with the Montana Gray 
Wolf Conservation and Management Program (www.fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf 
<http://www.fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf>).  This is a great opportunity 
to gain valuable field experience and references, while working in the 
rugged and beautiful Montana Rocky Mountains.  Montana is home to a wide 
diversity of large vertebrates including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, 
mountain goats, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, grizzly bear, 
and mountain lions.

* *

*Work Environment*:  Work is conducted throughout western Montana.  
/This is a physically challenging position, and extreme climate and 
terrain will be encountered/.  Volunteers need to be in good physical 
shape to accomplish various tasks such as carrying heavy loads and 
hiking/backpacking long distances in mountainous environments.  
Accommodations are ephemeral and vary from trailers to bunkhouses to 
tent camping throughout Western Montana.  At times volunteers camp near 
livestock to monitor wolf activity.  Volunteers must have their own 
backpacking and camping equipment.  Travel is mostly by 4-wheel drive, 
mountain bike, and foot.  These positions require a lot of driving both 
to work areas and while surveying or monitoring.  Volunteers must 
possess both the ability and desire to live and work, in remote mountain 
conditions, long days and long hitches.  The fieldwork is dynamic and 
changes often as work needs and situations arise.

* *

*Work Schedule*:  Highly variable, but hitches are loosely based on 10 
days on/4 days off.  Schedules are based around ever changing field 
efforts and logistics. 



*Duration*:  June - September, but may vary depending upon conditions, 
volunteer availability, and project funding.  Ideally volunteers are 
available for all or most of the field season. 



*Duties*:  Conduct wolf surveys.  Surveys include driving, biking, and 
hiking on roads and trails, and howling in suspected wolf areas to 
document presence and numbers.  Monitor wolf activities in livestock 
areas and hazing or harassing wolves.  May assist with capture and radio 
collaring wolves, conduct reproductive surveys, locate and collect data 
from wolf home sites.  In general duties vary widely from vehicle 
maintenance to teamwork to survey work to livestock conflict management 
and much more.



*Qualifications*:  These qualifications are *ABSOLUTELY* necessary, 
because of the *remote* and *independent* nature of the fieldwork in 
*difficult climate and topography*:

   * Ability to backpack, camp, and work and live for extended periods
     of time in remote settings.
   * Orienteering (use of map and compass for navigating) proficiency.
   * Excellent physical condition.
   * Must hold valid driver's license.
   * Possess the ability to get along with others in backcountry
     settings for 2+ week time periods.
   * Possess the ability to communicate in a helpful friendly manner
     with interested and affected publics.
   * Completion of or enrollment in college/university wildlife, or
     closely related curriculum.



/_The following skills and abilities are additionally helpful:_/

·         Experience in radio telemetry in mountainous terrain.  Capture 
and handling/processing of wildlife.

* *

*Application Period*:  Apply Now!  Candidates will be selected in April.

* *

*How to Apply*:  1) C*over letter* _detailing your professional 
interests and experience_ as it pertains to these positions, and detail 
your _period of availability_ 2) R*esume* 3) List of names and contact 
information of *3 references*.



*/_Ideally_/*/_ email this info to:_/  *klaudon@xxxxxx 
<mailto:klaudon@xxxxxx>*

* *

If you must, you can also /_Send application materials to:_/  *Montana 
Fish, Wildlife & Parks***

                                                                                   
*Attn:  Wolf Volunteer Program *

*  
                                                                                 
**490 N. Meridian Rd.*


   Kalispell, MT 59901

*                                                                                    
Telephone:  (406) 751-4586, Fax:  (406) 257-0349*