Amphibian Research Technicians | U.S. Geological Survey

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 needs 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 position¹s 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 8th, 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.