Modoc Refuge has a lean/efficient permanent full-time staff of six people and provides employment for up to three temporary people each year.

REFUGE MANAGER / PROJECT LEADER - Steve Clay

The Refuge Manager is responsible for providing the overall guidance and direction for the refuge. He insures that refuge programs are in concert with national regulations, Service policy and state and local needs. Steve also insures that all uses of the refuge are "compatible" with the purposes of the refuge. The Refuge Manager supervises the maintenance, hunting, fishing, law enforcement, routine administrative, fire management and biological programs on the refuge.

Steve came to the refuge in October 2001 from the Sheldon/Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Lakeview, Oregon.

ASSISTANT REFUGE MANAGER-Sean Cross

The Assistant Refuge Manager is responsible for the developement and administration of the operations, maintenace and public use programs at the Refuge. Assists the project leader in the develope of refuge operational plans. Serves as acting Refuge Manager in the absence of the Project Leader. Plans work to be accomplished by maintenance and biological staff on the refuge.

Sean came to the refuge in May 2007 from Medicine Lake Wildlife Refuge Complex in Medicine Lake, Montana.

PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST- Dominic Bachman

The Patrners for Fish and Wildlife Biologist is responsible for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's habitat restoration cost-sharing program for private landowners. Projects include restoration of habitat on degraded or converted wetlands, riparian areas, native uplands, streams, and or endangered species habitat.

Dominic came to the refuge in March 2008 from Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Loleta, CA.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT ASSISTANT - LaDel Bonham

The Administrative Support Assistant is responsible for all administrative duties on the refuge including budget tracking, contracting, payments, purchasing, collections, property management, website management, personnel and payroll in addition to other routine office functions. This person is also the first contact for visitors and the public on the telephone and in person.

LaDel joined our staff on December 12, 2005. She came to the Refuge from a position with Modoc County as a Planning Technician.

ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT OPERATORS - Brad Storm and Greg Albertson

These positions are the "nuts and bolts" of the Modoc NWR. They perform the routine maintenance of equipment, roads, dikes, buildings and facilities, signs, fences, water control structures, and general equipment. They also perform weed control. They are the "jacks of all trades" working in the trenches who keep the refuge safe and functional.

In addition to running water and fixing things, they also take on new construction of wetlands both on and off the refuge. Private cooperators, the U.S. Forest Service and others have been recipients of their skills and knowledge.

Brad arrived in 1988 from Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. Brad's interests include canoeing, fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities.

Greg transferred to Modoc Refuge in 1993 from Bureau of Land Management. He is an avid hunter and inventor, and is quite handy around his family ranch in Lakeview, Oregon.

TEMPORARY POSITIONS

Temporary jobs may be filled during the summer field season with qualified applicants. The maintenance position is responsible for keeping up with the smaller but important jobs when Brad and Greg are busy working on larger projects. The biological position gives assistance with wildlife & habitat inventories.

VOLUNTEERS

One to two volunteers provide assistance each summer with the biological program on the refuge. Temporary housing on the refuge may be available to volunteers. Please contact us at 530.233.3572 to find out more about volunteering at the Modoc Refuge. Additionally, volunteers are needed at refuges throughout the country.