6-8 Field Technicians – Amphibians – Apply by 1/8/16
The U.S. Geological Survey's Amphibian Research and
Monitoring Initiative Northeast program will be hiring 6-8 student contractors/field
technicians in 2016. Two (2) technicians will be hired for the spring &
summer period (early March through July 2016), and four to six (4-6)
technicians will be hired for the late spring & summer periods (late April
through July 2016); Three technicians will have the possibility of extension
for work during the 2016 fall field season (September through October).
These technicians will conduct amphibian surveys in
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
The technicians will work on a team that surveys for amphibians within National
Parks and National Wildlife Refuges in the Mid-Atlantic region, including work
in the mountains of Shenandoah National Park.
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. Additional assistance
conducting surveys and experiments involving the federally endangered
Shenandoah salamander may also be required.
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 need 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 Shenandoah National Park, VA, and other 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, but some housing may be available at
the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; please contact Andrew Dietrich if you
have questions. Every attempt will be made to assist technicians in finding
affordable housing in the area.
Approximate wages are $13-16/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
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038
To apply, send the following to Andrew Dietrich at the
above address or via email (adietrich@usgs.gov;
preferred) by January 8, 2016:
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 2015
are ineligible (unless they have proof of acceptance into a graduate program
beginning the following fall).
If you have questions, feel free to contact Andrew at
301-497-5842.
