2024 Oregon Spotted Frog Egg Mass Survey Technicians

Job Description:
Mt. Adams Resource Stewards (MARS) is seeking (6) motivated candidates to serve as egg mass
surveyors for the 2024 Oregon spotted frog (OSF) breeding season. As part of this team, you will
conduct daily transect surveys throughout the refuge to find and record OSF egg masses. This
position will be part of a 20+ year survey that indirectly monitors the population of the Oregon
Spotted Frog, a federally listed Threatened species. This is an excellent opportunity to get
experience working with an ESA listed species. The work will take place on Conboy Lake
National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding areas of the Glenwood Valley in Klickitat County,
Washington.

Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is located in the small town of Glenwood, WA – population 500 people. Glenwood is 45 minutes from the larger towns of White Salmon, WA and Hood River, OR. It is two hours from Portland, OR. Surveyors have the option of free shared housing on site at the Refuge and can expect quiet nights, incredible views of 12,000’+ volcano Mt. Adams, first rate access to recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, biking and kayaking, and a first-hand look at life in a rural town.

Main duties (to include, but not limited to):

• Daily transect surveys to find and record OSF egg masses
  • walking in ankle to knee deep water with waders
  • working in inclement weather

Position Requirements:

• Must be physically fit enough to walk in water for 8 hours/day
• Ability to understand and follow instructions
• Ability to pay attention to detail and stay focused
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Preferred:

• Good eyesight, with or without contact lenses or glasses
• Current CPR certification.
• Good conversational skills
• Experience driving 4×4 trucks on dirt roads and muddy conditions.
• Experience backpacking or walking long days
• Experience working in cold and wet conditions
• Experience surveying for any type of amphibian egg mass

Work Schedule and Conditions:
Position will be a full-time 40-hour work week for 4 weeks, with the possibility of a one week extension based on the timing of the breeding season. The month-long survey usually occurs in March, but depending on when the breeding season starts, the season could run into April. The work day is from 8:00am-4:30pm five days/week. Conditions are varied and can range from beautifully warm and calm days to freezing mornings to snow. Breaks and lunch are usually out in the field, so packing a backpack with everything you’ll need for the day is a must. We provide all equipment necessary to conduct the surveys (waders, sunglasses), but personal items such as backpacks, good layers, gloves need to be provided by the surveyor. You’ll be working as part of a seven person team that will be led by the Refuge biological technician. Free shared housing on Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge is available. The shared housing at the refuge is fully stocked with all normal kitchen and bedding amenities. The days will be long and not always pleasant, but you will see the refuge like few members of the public can!