Seasonal Position: Horseshoe Crab Research Assistant

Mass Audubon is seeking to fill a seasonal horseshoe crab research assistant position based at the 800 acre Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary on the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  The position involves working on horseshoe crab spawning surveys, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service button tagging, acoustic telemetry, juvenile surveys, and public outreach and education.

Responsibilities:
– Assist with visual spawning surveys on Cape Cod beaches
– Assist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tagging for mark-recapture studies
– Help coordinate volunteers for spawning surveys and USFWS tagging
– Assist with an acoustic telemetry project in Wellfleet Bay in cooperation with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
– Conduct visual juvenile abundance and distribution surveys
– Enter, analyze, and summarize data collected through the aforementioned research projects
– Educate and guide public groups and youth camp groups through both lectures and field work

Qualifications:
– Working toward or have received a Bachelor’s Degree in marine biology or related field
– Field experience and interest in marine invertebrate ecology
– Strong interpersonal skills and motivated work ethic
– Willingness to work outdoors in the sun or adverse weather conditions often for long hours on beaches, tidal flats, salt marshes, or boats
– Willingness to conduct surveys at night and work flexible hours including some weekends
– Applicants should be in good physical condition, able to swim, and have a valid driver’s license with a reliable vehicle
– Desirable but not required qualifications include boating experience, snorkeling or diving experience, and previous experience with horseshoe crabs

Details:
– Position is based in Wellfleet, Massachusetts
– Position is full time at 40 hours/week from April 2016 through August 2016
– Pay is $10.00/hour and field travel reimbursement is provided
– Dormitory housing may be available at $30-35/week, but local housing is a plus
– Applicant must pass a background records check (CORI, SORI, and driver’s)

To Apply:
Send a cover letter (including dates of availability), resume or CV, and contact info for three references by February 15 to Michael Long at mlong@massaudubon.org with “Horseshoe Crab Research Assistant” in the subject line.