Field assistant positions in Yosemite, Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks

The University of California Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory will
be hiring one or more assistants for the Summer 2016 field season.
Successful applicants will work as part of a team on restoring populations
of the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog in the presence of the
amphibian chytrid fungus, a widespread amphibian pathogen. During the summer
we will be conducting frog translocations, reintroductions of captive-reared
frogs, capture-mark-recapture surveys to assess the status of frog
populations established via translocation/reintroduction in previous years,
visual encounter surveys, and the collection of skin swabs from frog
populations to quantify frog-pathogen dynamics. The research will take place
primarily at remote backcountry locations in Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and
Sequoia National Parks. This research is part of a multi-year project funded
by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

To be considered for these positions, you MUST have extensive backpacking
experience at high elevations (>10,000’; this is not negotiable), be able to
navigate across difficult trail-less terrain, be comfortable working alone
in remote areas for hours at a time, and have a passion for conducting field
research. Previous employees have typically been advanced undergraduates
pursuing degrees in ecology or wildlife biology, or those having finished
undergraduate or master’s degrees in these fields. Assistants will be paid
$15-18/hr depending on experience. Housing is provided at the Sierra Nevada
Aquatic Research Laboratory near the resort town of Mammoth Lakes,
California. When in the backcountry (which will be most of the time),
assistants are also provided $30 per diem to cover food expenses and
replacement of personal backpacking gear, and are reimbursed for use of a
personal vehicle. The field season is expected to run from approximately
mid-June to mid-September.

The ideal candidate will have extensive backpacking experience in mountain
environments, demonstrated leadership skills and experience working both as
part of a group and individually, and previous experience conducting field
research in remote locations. In addition, experience capturing and handling
amphibians, inserting PIT tags, and conducting visual encounter surveys are
all important skills relevant to these positions.

The application period is January 11-February 5, 2016. Applications should
include (1) a cover letter that details your backpacking and research
experience and states why you are interested in the position and would be an
asset to the project, (2) a resume that includes contact information (email
addresses and phone numbers) for three references who are familiar with your
research and/or backpacking experience, and (3) transcripts from
undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) institutions. Unofficial copies
of transcripts are acceptable. To apply, email applications (formatted as a
single PDF document) to Roland Knapp (snarlapplications@gmail.com) by
February 5, 2016. Hiring will be completed by mid-to-late February.