Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Volunteers will assist with a bighorn sheep genetics project and/or a pika monitoring project in the Teton Range back-country. Sampling for the sheep project will begin in early June and continue through July or August. Pika monitoring will start in July and may continue through September or October. A minimum commitment of 2-4 days at a time for overnight backpacking trips is necessary. We welcome season long commitment to either or both of the projects.

For the sheep genetics project volunteers will travel on and off trail throughout the Tetons looking for bighorn sheep. Radio telemetry equipment may be used in some cases to locate sheep. Once sheep are located volunteers will use spotting scopes and binoculars to observe sheep from a distance and wait for them to defecate. Once sheep leave the area project members will navigate to the exact spot to collect the fecal sample. Volunteers must be able to: collect samples according to a strict protocol, classify sheep according to age and sex, use a GPS unit to mark sample locations and record data about the samples and maintain organized data sheets and project files. The objective of the sheep genetics project is to determine the genetic variability and population genetic structure of the Teton Range bighorn sheep herd.

The pika project intends to identify and map potential pika habitat (talus slopes) in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and to survey selected sites for pika occupancy. Study sites may be close to trails but more often are located in the back-country, requiring several miles of bushwhacking through dense vegetation and hiking off trail. Pika occupancy surveys entail walking transects located on talus slopes, on uneven terrain with loose rock. Some habitat evaluation will also be conducted which will include measuring vegetation, talus size, and other habitat characteristics. Other duties include: use of GPS to locate transects and mark pika sign, record information on observed pika sign and habitat variables and entry of field collected data into databases.

Seeking physically fit, detail-oriented persons with good data collecting and critical thinking skills. Previous field experience is desirable, but not essential. Previous experience with extended backpacking trips in rugged mountainous terrain is required. This work is very physically demanding and occurs at high elevation (9,000 - 12,000 ft) throughout the Teton Mountain Range. Volunteers must be able to carry a heavy backpack in mountainous terrain up to 15 miles per day and must be comfortable working in very steep terrain (on boulder fields, scree and talus slopes, and cliff areas) and able to deal well with hazards (e.g. weather, surprise wildlife encounters, etc.). Overnight back-country travel is required for this position. Must be adept at off trail, back-country travel in rugged terrain using map and compass. Volunteers will generally travel in the back-country with a partner, although individuals may survey separate nearby areas. Individual must be able to function independently in the field but must also be a contributing team member.

To apply, please send a cover letter stating why you think you are a good fit for this position, what you hope to gain from this experience, a current resume and a list of three references to the contacts listed below.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Grand Teton National Park

Contact Person: Sarah Dewey, (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

PO Drawer 170 Moose, WY 83012 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: N/A, N/A minute walk

Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/grte/

Last updated on March 9, 2009