USGS PATUXENT WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER (Turners Falls, MA)
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative in the northeast will be hiring 3 student contractor field research technicians in 2018. Technicians will be hired for the spring & summer period (early March through July), with the possibility of extension for work during the fall field season (September through October). Technicians will conduct amphibian surveys primarily in protected areas in the Northeastern US, but primarily in MA, CT, ME and VT. The technicians will work as part of a team that surveys for amphibians within National Parks, Refuges, and Forests, including work in the mountains of Shenandoah National Park, Acadia National Park, and the Green Mountain National Forest. Surveys will include wetland-associated amphibians as well as stream salamander and terrestrial salamander populations. Field work involves identifying, catching, measuring, and marking amphibians, as well as collecting water quality and environmental data. The students will be required to conduct field surveys using techniques including visual encounter surveys, dip netting, stream transect searches, temporary removal sampling, and conducting a mark-recapture study using visual implant elastomer. All fieldwork will be conducted as part of teams of 2-4 people, so a demonstrated ability and desire to work effectively with a group is imperative.
The position requires completion of academic coursework related to wildlife biology. Previous field experience with amphibians common in the Northeast US is highly recommended. The position requires the use of GPS units, digital cameras, and computer software for data entry and presentation (e.g. Microsoft Excel, Access). Technicians may also be asked to mark amphibians with injectable florescent elastomer and take voucher specimens related to amphibian disease studies. All of the work is outdoors, sometimes under harsh or hot conditions or in rain/snow.
The technicians needs to be in good physical condition, as the job requires long hours in the field (including some night-time surveys) and hiking with up to 25 pounds of equipment for extended periods of time on rocky, steep terrain. The technicians must be willing to go on overnight field trips to parks throughout the northeastern US, which will typically last 4-12 days at a time. Accommodations for overnight field work will be provided.
Technicians must be able to work at least 40 hours per week. Technicians are responsible for all costs of transportation to and from Patuxent. Government vehicles will be provided for all field work initiated from Patuxent. Housing costs are not included. Every attempt will be made to assist technicians in finding affordable housing in the area. Approximate wages are $14-15/hour; overtime pay is not provided.
Only applicants who are current or recent students (graduated within 12 months of the position’s end date) are eligible for these positions.
Principal Duty Station:
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
SO Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab
1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls, MA 01376
To apply, send the following to Jill Fleming at the above address or via email (jefleming@usgs.gov; preferred) by January 12th, 2018:
1) Letter of intent (please specify the time period in which you will be able to commit to this position)
2) Resume, including previous field experience, list of relevant course-work, contact information, and two or three reference contacts
3) One piece of evidence of current or recent (within past 12 months) enrollment in degree-seeking program (e.g., unofficial transcript, enrollment verification, a current registration card). Candidates who graduated prior to July 2017 are ineligible (*unless they have proof of acceptance into a graduate program beginning the following fall*).
Evan H. Campbell Grant, PhD
NE Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way, Turners Falls MA 01376