U.S. Geological Survey
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Amphibian Research and
Monitoring Initiative Northeast program will be hiring 2-4 student contractors/field
technicians in 2017. Technicians will be hired for the spring & summer period
(early March through July 2017). Technicians may have the possibility of
extension for work during the 2017 fall field season (September through
October) dependent on availability of funding.
These technicians will conduct amphibian surveys in Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey 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 involving the federally endangered Shenandoah salamander and
experiments with captive amphibian populations 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. Most of the work is outdoors, sometimes under harsh or hot
conditions or in rain/snow.
Technicians must 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 start date) are eligible for
these student contractor positions. Foreign students are not eligible for these
positions.
Principal
Duty Station:
USGS
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
12100 Beech
Forest Road
Laurel,
Maryland 20708-4038
1) Letter of intent (please specify when you will be able to
start working)
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, or a current registration card; transcripts are preferred).
Candidates who graduated prior to May 2016 are ineligible.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Andrew at
301-497-5842.
.png)