Bat Specialist (NPS, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program, is recruiting one (1) Bat Specialist to lead implementation for our network bat monitoring plan for the 2026 season. Monitoring of bats is part of a collaboration between the Mojave Desert Network Inventory & Monitoring Program and Parks of the Mojave Desert Network. Bats have recently become a conservation concern due to the spread of a novel disease known as “White-Nose Syndrome” (WNS). This position is primarily focused on fieldwork, although office work will also be required. This position will also help lead planning for the network bat blitz that will be held in late summer. Field work can be strenuous and involve long days on steep terrain. Regular overnight travel and car camping will occur (most camping equipment will be provided), often in backcountry locations with no amenities. Effective communication skills are essential for working on small teams and with various NPS park staff. This position will also assist parks with bat related projects and activities on an as needed basis.

The field work is dynamic and may be carried out across the MOJN parks (Castle Mountains National Monument, Death Valley National Park, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Great Basin National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site, and Mojave National Preserve). The position will be the field lead for acoustic and capture surveys for bats and will oversee an intern who will be their primary field partner. Acoustic surveys are conducted following a modified version of NABat and occur in the winter and summer seasons. Capture surveys will occur in the spring season and include identifying bats to species, age, sex and reproductive status and then each bat will be swabbed to detect the fungus that causes WNS. Bats will be captured using mist nets on the landscape or using harp traps at the entrances of known roosts in abandoned mines. Additional opportunities might be provided to participate in other projects and activities. This position must be flexible as weather and other factors may change field plans last minute and be able to communicate those changes to park staff. The technician will be expected to be the primary field lead in most situations and will require a high degree of communication and coordination with park staff across the network.

The Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (MOJN) is one of 32 regional networks across the country that collect data on specific natural resources—the plants, animals, water, and ecosystems that can indicate the overall ecological health of our national parks. These data are collected for planning, research, and education, and to help guide decisions related to park resource management For more information, visit our website: https://www.nps.gov/im/mojn/index.htm.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead planning of all field hitches for bat monitoring;
• Deploy and retrieve acoustic bat detectors (Petterson D500X model);
• Capture bats, identifying to species, and take swab samples for WNS surveillance using mist nets and harp traps;
• Oversee and direct work of an intern who will be your primary field partner;
• Organize, prepare, and ship swab samples to partner labs;
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control of data, both in the field and office;
• Transfer and organize acoustic files, including confirming file counts and date ranges;
• Locate and navigate to field sites using GPS and possibly topo maps;
• Hike long distances over rough terrain in potentially extreme weather conditions;
• Car camp in primitive conditions;
• Drive 4WD vehicles on highways and unimproved dirt roads;
• Maintain and disinfect field vehicles, sampling equipment, and camping gear;
• Collaborate with MOJN staff on project planning, protocols, logistics, and safety; and
• Communicate with volunteers and provide outreach opportunities for MOJN staff to assist with field work.

Timeline:

• January 2026 - September 2026, 36 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Could range from 4-5 day but could be extended hitches over a 2-week period (8-10’s then 6 days off), overtime and/or weekend hours will occasionally be required.

Location:

The duty station for this position is based at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, NV. Boulder City is about 10 miles southeast of Las Vegas, NV. While famous for its neon lights and nightlife, Las Vegas is surrounded by public land on all sides, with Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the west, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area to the south, Red Rock National Conservation Area and Spring Mountain National Forest to the west, and Desert National Wildlife Refuge to the north. Additional parks, monuments, and refuges can be reached within a few hours of driving in any direction. Outdoor recreational opportunities nearby include hiking, rock climbing, bouldering, kayaking, mountain biking, and birding, along with skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Las Vegas offers the amenities of a large city, including dining, entertainment, and retail.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $25 - $27 an hour depending on experience;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing: Housing is not provided, but MOJN staff do try and connect position with potential opportunities with previous contacts. Seasonal technicians and interns have had success in the past finding rooms to rent or other housing to share with other seasonal staff.
Per diem: Camping per diem provided of $60 per night in the field.
Uniform Stipend: $150 to purchase sturdy hiking boots with ankle support.

Required:

• 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 NPS 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;
• Applicant must be a US citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Applicant must meet PLC age requirements;
• Applicant must be willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks;
• Bachelor's degree in a natural resource focused program;
• At least three seasons of experience in capturing bats using mist nets and identifying bats to species using standard keys;
• Ability to hike at least 10 miles per day for multiple days on steep or rugged terrain in variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions;
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and carry heavy equipment over varying terrain;
• Ability to car camp for multiple days in remote locations with no amenities;
• Ability to operate 4WD vehicles on unimproved and potentially rough dirt roads;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team to accomplish program goals;
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and colleagues;
• Attention to detail and data quality; and
• Excellent organizational skills.

Preferred:

• More than three seasons of experience capturing bats using mist nets;
• Experience identifying bats in the western US;
• Understanding of NABat protocols and experience with different acoustic detectors;
• Familiarity with basic vehicle maintenance;
• Having a current rabies titer;
• Hiking or working in desert environments;
• Using Survey123, AGOL, or other GIS software;
• Identifying plants of the Mojave or Great Basin regions; and
• Wilderness First Aid certification.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, hike, bend, stoop, lift, use hands, and carry equipment over uneven terrain. The position requires both near and distance vision, depth perception, night vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Fine motor skills are needed for handling small equipment and live animals, and regular use of computers, tablets, GPS units, and other field-specific equipment is required.

The overall nature of this position is physically demanding, requiring regular field work in remote, rugged outdoor environments. Work often occurs in extreme environmental conditions, including exposure to heat (temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F), cold, wind, sun, and sudden weather changes. Field duties require frequent hiking of up to 10 miles per day over steep or rocky terrain while carrying loads up to 50 pounds. Prolonged periods of car camping in primitive locations with no amenities are also required.

The work schedule often includes irregular hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and occasional extended travel. Fieldwork is conducted both during daylight and nighttime hours. When not in the field, the employee may perform office-based tasks in a standard office environment with a low noise level.

Driving long distances on both paved and unimproved dirt roads in 4WD vehicles is a regular requirement of this position.

How to Apply:

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:
This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes:
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer:
Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.