Skills and Qualifications: Understanding of ecological issues and a concern for improving the environment is necessary; some knowledge of plant identification or restoration ecology techniques preferred. This position requires the ability to work both independently and in a team setting. Excellent organizational and communication skills, the ability to work under deadline pressure and the ability to handle multiple tasks are paramount to succeeding in this position. Knowledge of MS Office software packages and general computer skills are required with experience in GIS preferred. Must have high school diploma or GED, B.S.
in ecology or related field preferred. AmeriCorps member must possess the ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions (heat, cold, insects, etc.), be able to carry 40 pounds and to walk extended distances over rough terrain. Ability to speak in public setting is required. Must have own transportation and valid drivers license. Usual hours of service will be M-F during regular office hours of 8:00-5:00pm.
The ability to serve flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, is needed. Hours may fluctuate, increase or decrease, in consideration of seasonal changes such as inclement weather or other extended activities.

Location:
The Wilds, Cumberland, OH.
The Wilds is North America’s largest conservation center and consists almost entirely of reclaimed mining land. It is managed jointly as a zoological park for the maintenance and captive breeding of globally imperiled species and as a conservation site for native plants and wildlife. Therefore, one of our major objectives is restoration of native ecosystems on site. Our restoration work focuses on establishing native prairies and planting forests, maintaining and improving existing ecosystems through invasive species removal, prescribed burns, and planting native species. Furthermore, we monitor ecosystem responses to restoration, which include survey and monitoring for a wide variety of species including plants, butterflies, grassland birds, amphibians, mesocarnivores, and in ecosystems such as wetlands, streams, forests, and grasslands.

Duties and responsibilities of the AmeriCorps Member:
1. Implement habitat improvements through activities such as invasive plant management, native plantings, and prescribed burns.
2. Monitor ecosystem recovery through vegetation and wildlife surveys, environmental monitoring, photo point collection.
3. Track riparian restoration through macroinvertebrate and fish surveys, identification, and calculation of IBI scores.
4. Organize, research, and process survey data, write reports summarizing findings.
5. Participate in project planning and implementation through meetings and field studies.
6. Use GPS & GIS to make maps and assist with monitoring efforts.
7. Enhance skills and knowledge applicable to position through participation in workshops, conferences and training 8. Complete 2 activity reports monthly, required timesheets and monthly reports in The OnCorps system online system 9. All other duties as assigned within the limitations of this member description.

Additional Information:
No public transportation is available.
Position requires hiking and some physically demanding tasks, including outdoor work throughout the seasons. This may include hot, buggy, cold or otherwise challenging conditions. Participants should be prepared with appropriate field gear / foot wear.

For more information, visit: http://ruralaction.org/get- involved/americorps/

How to Apply to OSRC
1. Go to my.americorps.gov; Click “Apply to Serve” (bottom of screen) 2.
Build an application; you will need two references. Allow time for their response before submitting.
3. Search Listings for Rural Action or Ohio Stream Restore Corps 4.
Click the OSRC name and Apply!
5. You will get a confirmation email with further instructions.

Funded MS Opportunity in Desert Amphibian and Disease Ecology to start Fall 2018 or January 2019

Deadline for applications August 1st

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to employ as a MSc Student conducting research on amphibian and disease ecology in ephemeral waters in the Sonoran Desert south-central Arizona.

The student will examine how water quality affects amphibian development and determine the extent to which water sites constructed for wildlife function as disease reservoirs. The work will consist of checking and maintaining data loggers, setting up field enclosures with amphibian embryos and monitoring until hatching, measuring recently hatched amphibians, sampling water quality, collecting and preserving water samples, and environmental DNA (eDNA) collection and analysis.

Qualifications: We are looking for a highly motivated and creative individual. This position requires hard work, problem solving, and a tolerance for desert heat. Hired individuals will encounter venomous snakes and invertebrates. This is a physically demanding job which requires hiking into remote sites, odd hours and extended hours during monsoonal rains, driving a 4wd on unmaintained roads, and coordinating with military security. Rock climbing or scrambling experience helpful but not required. Experience with amphibians and/or genetics is desirable, but not required. Preference will be given to motivated candidates with excellent communication skills and who are willing and able to function in the summer desert environment.

The graduate student will be co-advised by Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle and Dr. Matthew Barnes. The position is funded for $16.5K/year plus a tuition waiver and opportunities for additional fellowships.

We encourage applications from everyone, including ethnic and gender minorities. Texas Tech University is one of four major state supported universities in Texas and is designated as an emerging research university by the State of Texas.

Interested applicants should email Dr. Kerry Griffis-Kyle
(kerry.griffis-kyle@ttu.edu) and have “Graduate opportunity” in the subject line. Please include in the email:

1. How this position will help you fulfill your career goals and why I should hire you 2. Resume or CV including pertinent work experience 3. Unofficial transcripts 4. GRE scores 5. Contact information for three references 6. Address, phone, and email

Position contingent upon funding. Texas Tech University requires a background check of all new employees. For additional information on the
Department: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/nrm/

One PhD position: combining research surveys for North Atlantic groundfish assessment

Successful fisheries management depends on reliable stock assessments. The project primarily involves statistical analysis of research surveys conducted over different regions and by different countries for a few groundfish species in the North Atlantic region. The student is encouraged to develop their own projects from this starting project. The student will be part of the Centre for Ecosystems and Fisheries Research at the Marine Institute’s School of Fisheries PhD Program at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Desirable candidates will have some familiarity with strong scientific credentials in ecology, fishery science, statistics or another relevant field. Preference will be given to applicants 1) with demonstrated expertise in quantitative skills in ecology or stock assessment 2) who can code efficiently in R or other programming languages 3) who have a publication record.

The position comprises a graduate assistantship and tuition scholarship. It is available to begin in the fall semester 2018. Funding is guaranteed for the entire length of the program (4 years).

Applicants with a relevant master’s degree are required. To apply for this position: send a current curriculum vitae and letter of interest/career goals, unofficial transcripts of all college course work, and the names and contact information for two professional references to:

Dr. Jin Gao (Jin.Gao@mi.mun.ca). Please contact Dr. Gao directly with any questions about this position. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

 

Master’s Research Degree opportunity in the CB Fenster lab, South Dakota State University: Pollination Biology in Agricultural Ecosystems

Starting Date: Preferably mid of July 2018

Pollinators play a key role in ecosystem functioning because they mediate interactions between species and facilitate ecological and economic impacts.
However, pollinator health is globally declining in agricultural landscapes largely due to the use of insecticides, reduced habitat and lack of nutritional resources. The student opportunity is to participate with a team
1) to understand how pollination services contribute to ecosystem functioning, enhancing ecosystem services including maximizing crop yield and 2) transfer this role of pollinator services to policy development aimed at enhancing pollinator health. This team, in addition to myself, includes insect ecologists (Jon Lundgren), plant landscape ecologists (Henning
Nottebrock) and economists (James Stone, Heidi Sieverding).We are using Brassica carinata and other flowering crops, to study plant-pollinator interactions in an agricultural ecosystem. Specifically, we will quantify the parameters that maximize ecosystem functioning, thus increasing ecosystem services. e.g., maximized carinata productivity and pollinator-associated ecosystem services resulting in maximized honey production.

Location: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota. Brookings is a small, but vibrant community with easy access to culture and the outdoors. More information about the Department of Biology and Microbiology at SDSU can be found at:

http://www.sdstate.edu/biology-and-microbiology

Requirements: The ideal student should embrace field-based research as well as have some background or interest in large data and or landscape approaches. Most importantly, you should be passionate about biology and the questions being pursed at the CBFenster lab. Specifically for this project, one should have an interest in sustainable agriculture and the consequences of various land-use polices for ecosystem services. Generally, students who work with me either have or develop a broad understanding of statistics.
Foreign students need to meet English language requirements.

I encourage you to contact me or Henning, if interested at:
charles.fenster@sdstate.edu or henning.nottebrock@sdstate.edu

More information can be found at the CBFenster lab website and project
colleagues:

Charlie: https://charlesbfenster.wordpress.com/
Henning: https://henningnottebrock.wordpress.com/
Jon: http://bluedasher.farm/

Please include in your email:
*       brief description of your research interests
*       concrete evidence of interest in this project
*       experience related to this project
*       CV

Funding options are available for both US and International students.

The Marine and Freshwater Ecology lab at Louisiana Tech University, under Dr. Jennifer Hill, is seeking a M.S. candidate to examine the impacts of sub-lethal pesticide concentrations on crayfish and snail behavior and trophic cascades. The candidate will join the lab and work on both laboratory ,as well as field mesocosm experiments and be based on campus at Louisiana Tech (Ruston, LA)

The objectives of the project include:
–       To examine the impacts of sub-lethal pesticide concentrations on the
behavior and foraging activity of crayfish and snails in lab experiments
–       Examine if pesticides impact cascading interactions in freshwater
macrophyte communities using cattle tank mesocosms .
Responsibilities include:
–       Under the direction of the PI, lead and/or participate in the experiments
accomplishing above objectives
–       Develop oral and visual products for presentation to scientific audiences
at local and national meetings
–       Attend scientific meetings to engage and network with scientists and
colleagues
–       Author and develop a Master’s thesis and scientific manuscripts
–       Advise and direct undergraduate students on lab and field techniques
Qualifications include:
–       B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science or related field
–       the ability to work collaboratively with fellow graduate  and
undergraduate students
–       Good communication skills
–       previous experience with aquatic animal care preferred, but not required
The start date of the position is September 2018 (the beginning of Fall
quarter) with experiments beginning in January.  The assistantship is supported by a combination of grant funding and teaching assistantships at a rate of ~$19,000 per year. Tuition and fees are not waived by Louisiana Tech.

Interested applicants should submit a single pdf (with the applicants first and last name in document title) composed of a cover letter, CV (including GPA and relevant coursework), and the names and contact information of 3 references to jmhill@latech.edu .Please put “ecology MS student position” in the email subject header. Please submit applicant information by June 25th but other later applications may be reviewed.

AIS was just awarded a 5 year contract for fisheries observer work in the Northeast (North Carolina to Maine).  We are looking for qualified fisheries observers.  More info can be found on our website: www.aisobservers.com and the following hyperlink:http://aisobservers.com/employment/

Subject: Restoration Technician (Entomology) Position

The Soil Ecology and Restoration Group (SERG) is a research group within the biology department of San Diego State University (SDSU) and administered by the San Diego State University Research Foundation. The research emphasis of SERG is on ecosystem dynamics of southern California.

We seek five (5) Restoration Field Technicians to assist with field research directed at the conservation of native species and the management of invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, population on San Clemente Island, a Naval installation on the southern-most of California’s Channel Islands. This position requires a 6 month commitment, July to November.

Primary duties:
(i) utilizing a variety of sampling methods to collect and identify arthropods and (ii) measuring the efficacy and conservation gains of an invasive species management strategy (iii) implementing eradication protocols in wildland areas. This position requires extensive physical labor to conduct management activities, including working with pesticide around heavy equipment, ATVs and helicopters; hand deployment of pesticide over rugged terrain; bending and crouching to perform monitoring and control efforts; and hauling heavy, awkward materials and equipment. Technicians may also contribute to additional projects and duties as assigned.

Technicians need to enjoy working in remote field environments and be able to perform repetitive, labor intensive tasks with sustained accuracy. All work will be conducted on San Clemente Island, which is owned and operated by the
U.S.    Navy as a test and evaluation site, shore bombardment range, and warfare training
grounds. The island is home to a large number of endemic and rare plant, animal and bird species, with an extensive community of biologists, archaeologists and researchers.
Applicants should enjoy living as part of a small community and be able to maintain a professional, positive attitude at all times.

Position requirements:
*       Ability to repeatedly lift loads of up to 50 lbs throughout the workday
*       Experience performing strenuous labor with a high level of physical endurance under
a variety of weather and work conditions
*       Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field and/or significant relevant experience
*       Valid driver’s license and ability to drive 4-wheel-drive-vehicles
*       Experience safely operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, hand tools,
herbicide/pesticide application equipment, and GPS units
*       Ability to work independently or as part of a team
*       Ability to safely navigate and work off-trail in steep, rocky, cactus-covered terrain

Compensations:
Salary will be $14.00/hour plus benefits. Room and board will be provided while on San Clemente Island. Work schedule will be 10 days on-island and 4 days off-island.
Transportation to and from the island is provided by means of a twin engine 20-seater plane which departs from Naval Base Coronado.

To apply, compile your cover letter, resume and contact information for three (3) professional references in
one(1) pdf or Word document and email it to:

Steven Thielking Argentine Ant Project Manager sthielking@sdsu.edu