Bat Telemetry Technician – Great Smoky Mountains

Bat Telemetry Technician – ­ Great Smoky Mountains

Job description

The Center for Bat Research, Outreach, and Conservation at Indiana State University is recruiting one (1) Field Technician to aid in a 19 week study of bats in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Research will involve mistnet surveys to capture bats, use of radio telemetry to track Indiana bats (*Myotis sodalis*) and northern long-eared bats (*M. septentrionalis*) to their day-roosts, measuring habitat characteristics around roosts, and deploying bat detectors to record bat calls in remote forested areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina). The technician will work closely with a wildlife biologist to gain familiarity with the study area and survey techniques. On a daily basis, the technician will work with 1-4 other technicians to accomplish project objectives (capture, tracking, veg plots). Duties will also include driving (field vehicle will be provided, 4WD is necessary), hiking long distances in mountainous terrain (up to 10 miles/day), carrying heavy equipment, data entry, and data management. Housing will be provided (this will be in remote areas on the east and west sides of the Park), but over-night camping may occasionally be required.

Location

Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The nearest major cities are Knoxville, TN and Asheville, NC.

Salary

Temporary, full-time position. Pay is $459/week for 19 weeks, beginning 4 May 2015. Housing and field vehicle will be provided. Indiana State University will not pay for relocation costs (moving expenses).

Qualifications

Required: B.S. degree in Wildlife, Natural Resources, Biology or other related field. *It is imperative that you have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and be in good physical condition. It is also critical that you are detail oriented and have experience collecting data for research studies.* Must possess a valid driver’s license and pass driving record check.

Desired: Proficiency with radio telemetry in difficult terrain. Experience navigating using GPS and topographic maps. Applicants who have experience with bats and who have completed the pre-exposure series of rabies vaccinations will be given priority, but ISU will pay for vaccinations for individuals who are otherwise highly qualified.

Application process

To apply for this position, *send CV, cover letter, and names of three references as one pdf file* to Dr. Joy O’Keefe at joyokeefe@gmail.com. *Applications are due by 3 April 2015*, but review of applications will begin immediately. In the subject line of your email, please include ‘Smokies Bat Technician.’