The Mojave Desert Preserve has announced a limited number of winter job openings with the goal of protecting desert tortoises.
The typical seasonal timeframe for the Mojave National Preserve is December to June, but it can change due to weather conditions, project needs or funding, the National Park Service stated.
Only the first 125 applicants will be considered, with a deadline of Aug. 18, 2025.
Winter seasonal Biological Science Technician position job duties may include technician work that is supportive of professionals such as biologists and ecologists in resource management.
These positions participate in resource management tasks associated with a variety of emphasis areas such as vegetation management, wildlife management, fisheries, and/or habitat management.
Desert tortoises
As desert towns and cities grow, the Mojave National Preserve becomes increasingly important as a critical desert tortoise habitat.
The tortoise population has been in decline for decades, due to a variety of factors, including loss of habitat and disease, park service officials stated.
In 2024, and following more than three decades of declining numbers, the Mojave desert tortoise was officially declared an endangered species in California, the Daily Press reported.
In 1990, the Fish and Wildlife Service added the desert tortoise to its list of threatened species. The listing requires federal agencies to work together to stabilize desert tortoise populations.
The Mojave population of desert tortoise (gopherus agassizii) includes all tortoises north and west of the Colorado River in Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
For more information, or to apply for winter positions, visit the USAJobs website at usajobs.gov.
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This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Job openings announced to protect tortoises in the Mojave Desert Preserve
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
