The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is seeking
to hire three full-time temporary student contractors to assist with the
North American Breeding Bird Survey program (*www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS
<http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS>)*, a long-term, continental avian monitoring
program. Tasks will include working with wildlife survey data, performance
of quality assurance and quality control procedures on biological data,
data entry, assisting with database management, photocopying and filing,
preparation of maps and assisting in preparation of administrative
correspondence.
*Application deadline: *
Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter by *February
15, 2017.*
*Statement of Work *
1. *Types of services required: *During the summer field season,
approximately 3100 BBS routes are sampled by participants skilled in avian
identification. These data are then processed and analyzed by USGS to
inform avian conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada. Tasks will
include processing incoming data and materials, performing data entry and
quality control procedures using web-based technologies, tracking progress,
assisting with database management, photocopying, scanning and filing
materials, map preparation, and corresponding with participants.
2. *Required expertise/skills: *
a. Applicants are required to have completed two years of undergraduate
course work (student must be at least a second semester sophomore).
b. Applicants must be majors in a biology, ecology, environmental science
or related disciplines.
c. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English both
verbally and in writing.
d. Applicants must have knowledge of computer software used to summarize
and visualize data (i.e. Excel and Access).
e. Knowledge of North American birds is *not* required but considered a
plus.
3. *Eligibility requirements: *To be eligible for a student contract
position, applicants must be either a currently enrolled student or a
recent graduate. To qualify as a student, the applicant must be enrolled at
least half-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or
university. Former students who graduated more than 10 months ago or who
left school without graduating are not eligible to work under these
contracts. Applicants will be required to show proof of their student
status (or recent graduation). USGS employees, their spouses, and children
are not eligible to participate in this program. U.S. citizens are
eligible. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on
their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly Immigration and
Naturalization Service). Foreign students in the U.S. under F-1 visas are
usually not able to participate in this program, due to USCIS restrictions
against off-campus work.
4. *Description of working conditions: *Work will be performed in an office
environment located on the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center campus in
Laurel, Maryland. Extended periods of computer use will be required. This
is not a field or laboratory position.
5. *Compensation: *The student contractor will be paid $16.71 per hour.
Student contractors are paid only for hours worked (no holiday or leave
benefits). Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and
from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide
housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty
station. Official travel away from the duty station is not expected.
6. *Principal Duty Station: *USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100
Beech Forest Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038. Student contractors may
enter the building only during business hours or when project manager is
present.
7. *Additional information: *Number of students required is three.
Estimated number of hours for the position is 544 (full-time for summer).
There is a possibility of additional part-time hours continuing into the
fall semester. The approximate start date is May 29, 2017. The approximate
end date is August 25, 2017. There is flexibility in start and end dates to
accommodate variations in academic calendars.
8. *How to apply: *Send resume and cover letter to Keith Pardieck via email
(*kpardieck@usgs.gov <kpardieck@usgs.gov>*). Applications must be received
on or before *February 15, 2017*. In your cover letter include an
explanation of how you meet the eligibility requirements, your expected
graduation date, and discuss your experience as related to sections 1 and 2
above.