Natural Resources Job Board

Mt. Adams Resource Stewards (MARS) is seeking (4-5) motivated candidates to serve as egg mass surveyors for the 2026 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 25+ 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.

●        Daily transect surveys to find and record OSF egg masses

o   walking in ankle to knee deep water with waders

o   working in inclement weather

●        Data entry

o   Using FieldMaps to record egg mass observations

●        Must be physically fit enough to walk in water for 8 hours/day

●        Enjoys working as part of a team

●        Able to pay attention to detail and stay focused

●        Able to endure very cold weather

●        Positive attitude

 

●        Good eyesight, with or without contact lenses or glasses to reliably spot egg masses

●        Experience surveying for any type of amphibian egg mass

●        Current CPR certification

●        Good conversational skills 

●        Familiarity with FieldMaps

●        Experience driving 4x4 trucks on dirt roads and muddy conditions

●        Experience backpacking or walking long days

●        Experience working in cold and wet conditions

●        Driver’s license

 

Position will be a full-time 40-hour work week for 4 weeks. The month-long survey usually occurs in March, but depending on when the breeding season starts, the season could run into April. The workday 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!

 

Hourly wage will start at $17.13/hour.

 

Please send a resume that includes education, field experience (particularly related to amphibians), and contact information (email addresses and phone numbers) for two references who are familiar with your field experience and a cover letter that details why you’re drawn to this position. To apply, email applications (formatted as a single PDF document) to Robyn Reeder King (robyn_reederking@fws.gov) and CC Sienna Krulis (siennak@mtadamsstewards.org). The application deadline is January 2nd, 2026, but interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and positions may be filled before the deadline. Information about Mt. Adams Resource Stewards is available at https://www.mtadamsstewards.org/oregon-spotted-frog-egg-mass-surveys and information about Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge is available at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/conboy_lake/.