Data Support Technicians (USFWS, Grays Lake NWR)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is recruiting up to three (3) AmeriCorps members to serve as Data Support Technicians at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Wayan, Idaho. Technicians will assist with data entry, processing, preliminary analyses, mapping, and reporting of survey data collected on National Wildlife Refuges throughout the east side of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington east of the Cascade Mountains). Data Support Technicians will become familiar with surveys conducted at Refuges that inform management, provide baseline inventories, and assess management implementation. Surveys prioritized for data entry and processing include (but are not limited to):

• Vegetation data associated with wildlife surveys and/or habitat restoration actions;
• Invasive plant species data and efficacy of treatment;
• Waterbird and wetland data from the Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Initiative and other bird surveys;
• Submerged aquatic vegetation and other wetland plant surveys;
• Waterfowl census counts; and
• Water depth, flow, and/or chemistry associated with wetland and riverine water management.

Data Support Technicians will enter data and associated meta-data into MS Excel, Survey123, on-line databases (e.g., Avian Knowledge Network) or other software. Data quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) will also be required. Spatial data will be analyzed and mapped in ArcPro and/or ArcGIS On-Line. The technicians will summarize results of preliminary analyses using tables, graphs, and figures in reports following scientific writing formats and give oral and/or poster presentations of projects. Through these projects, the technicians will gain a broad understanding of surveys and management issues at Refuges throughout the Intermountain West.

To note: 85-100% of tasks are computer related. Opportunities for field work will be very limited but may include wildlife, habitat, and/or hydrologic surveys.

Data Support Technicians will also be signed up as USFWS volunteers and will be required to complete a Department of Interior background investigation.

* Members are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

Timeline:

• January 2026, 14 weeks in length;
• For the right candidate, we can hire as soon as December 2025;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 hrs/day; or Monday-Thurs 9 hrs/day, 1st Friday 8 hours, 2nd Friday off.

Location:
Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Southeast Idaho, established in 1965, consists of 22,000 acres of predominantly wetland habitat and is North America’s largest contiguous montane bulrush marsh. Wildlife is diverse with about 200 species of birds having been observed at Grays Lake. Located in the Grays Lake valley, Wayan ID, in northern Caribou and southern Bonneville Counties, Grays Lake is the most remote refuge in the Southeast Idaho complex. The nearest amenities (groceries, gas, medical, etc.) are ~40-45 minutes aways in Soda Springs, ID (40 miles) or Thayne, WY (32 miles). Cell phone service is sparse to non-existent at Refuge headquarters depending on the provider. The Grays Lake valley is surrounded by national forest to the east which provides ample recreational activities. It is a 1.5-hour drive to Jackson Hole, WY, which is a gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. It is also approximately a 1.5 hour drive to Pocatello and Idaho Falls, ID, larger cities in southeast Idaho. Fall at Grays Lake is relatively short with frost occurring as early as late August or September. At approximately 6,500 feet elevation, winters are cold and typically have high snowfall. Migratory waterbirds arrive as soon as ice-out begins in late March or April, but snowstorms are still common during the spring. The growing season is short, with warm summer days and cool nights common.

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance:  $650.00 biweekly (before taxes);

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (450 hour): $1,956.35 upon successful completion of term;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Access to Pro Deals;
• Eligibility for SNAP benefits, Loan Forbearance, and Loan Interest Accrual Repayment; and

Housing: Will be provided to the selected participant at no additional costs.

Segal Education Award:
After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

Student Loan Forbearance:
If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:
As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:
AmeriCorps Volunteers are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Qualifications:
Required:
(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Knowledge and interest in habitat and wildlife management;
• Prior experience with biological and hydrological survey techniques;
• Experience with MS Excel, and other basic computer skills;
• Experience with ArcPro, ArcGIS On-Line, and associated ESRI apps (e.g., FieldMaps, Survey123, etc.) preferred;
• Experience downloading data from handheld GPS units and/or PDRs;
• Experience with R and R-studio, preferred, but not required;
• Willingness to travel to other refuges as necessary;
• Willingness to operate a 4-wheel drive truck with snowplow;
• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to USFWS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your Application; and
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Preferred: 

• Ability to self-direct and self-motivate;
• Possess good organization skills;
• Have good attention to detail for QA/QC of data;
• Willing and able to work on a computer for the entire work week;
• Ability to work productively as part of a team and independently;
• Good communication skills; and
• Good scientific writing skills, preferred.