Agency: U.S. Geological Survey
Location: Ruidoso, New Mexico
Start Date: 10 May 2020
Salary: ~560/month living stipend plus housing
Application deadline: 20 March 2020
Website:
*Job description:*
Plague (a vector-borne disease of mammalian hosts) is causing significant
and chronic conservation dilemmas in the western US. We are studying the
ecology of plague in the White Mountains of New Mexico. The Penasco least
chipmunk is a species of conservation concern and is currently only known
to exist in a few locations within the White Mountains. Their range has
declined with some populations going locally extinct. We will work with
species associated with the Penasco least chipmunk in areas close to or
within historically occupied Penasco chipmunk sites. Our questions
include: (1) is plague present in any of the small mammals associated with
the Penasco least chipmunk, (2) if plague is present, what is its effect
on demographics of the small mammal community, (3) what is the host flea
community (fleas are the main vector of plague) and (4) what tools are most
effective for plague management in this study system. Our ultimate goal
is to conserve wildlife and preserve ecosystems.
We seek volunteer field assistants to help us capture and mark small
mammals (mice, voles, woodrats, chipmunks, etc.). In addition, we will
anesthetize and collect fleas from individuals. We will also use a vaccine
to test for differences in survival among treatments. All participants
will gain experience using multiple types of traps, handle and mark
multiple species of small mammal, anesthetize individuals, comb fleas, and
vaccinate individuals.
Field work will occur between ~10-May and 10-October 2020. Long days and
odd hours will be required and work will be physically demanding. You must
be able to lift and carry traps over short distances (up to 300m). Terrain
is uneven and requires being able to maneuver with equipment over rocks,
logs, and thorny vegetation. Furthermore, temperatures do fluctuate
between below freezing to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Hours and workdays
will change depending on the temperature, weather, and capture rates so you
must be willing to work a flexible schedule. Technicians must be
comfortable working at night.
We provide shared housing (trailers) and trucks to travel between the
trailers and field work. There will not be any running water and
electricity is limited to powering the refrigerator and lights. We will
move regularly among the field sites. Some locations are more remote than
others (distance to town varies from a 15-min to 45-min drive). Each field
assistant will receive a daily stipend (work days only) of $28/day or about
$560/month.
*Qualifications;*
*Required Qualifications: *
– Must be able to work under harsh conditions (hot/cold weather, rough
terrain, etc.)
– Have a positive attitude and a commitment to wildlife conservation
– Be physically fit enough to walk over uneven terrain throughout the
work day
– Ability to pay attention to detail and record data carefully
– Ability to follow field protocols
– Be able to work both independently and with a group
*Desired Qualifications:*
– Prior field experience is desired but not required
– Experience living or working remotely
– Experience handling wildlife
– Experience hiking and being outdoors
– Commitment to the entire field season
– Previous experience driving a four-wheel drive vehicle
– Experience entering data into Excel
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and positions will
remain open until they are filled. Please submit application materials to:
Dean Biggins (nm.plaguestudy@gmail.com): Please include in a *single*
document (PDF or Word) a brief cover letter, your CV/resume, list of 3
references, and (if possible and applicable) unofficial/official college
transcripts. Please include the following information in your cover
letter: dates of availability (priority will be given to those that can
commit to the entire duration of the field season), a brief description of
why you are interested in this position, and any further information that
may speak to your qualifications as outlined in the announcement. Please
write âÂEURÂoeVolunteer Field TechnicianâÂEUR in the subject line of the email.