Two Salamander Field Technicians Needed


Job Type: Seasonal /Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Closing date: March 1, 2009
Opportunity Description:  Student Field Technicians: Salamander  surveys in Shenandoah National Park

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Amphibian Research and Monitoring  Initiative Northeast program will be hiring 2 student field  
technicians in 2009. One technician is needed beginning in the spring  (01 May) through mid-August. Another technician will be hired for the  summer from mid-June through mid-August. Both positions could be extended for 4-6 weeks in September and October, pending funding.

Technicians are primarily responsible for conducting salamander  
surveys in Shenandoah National Park (Virginia). Major duties involve  
terrestrial salamander surveys that include: active sampling for  
salamanders during the day by lifting of cover objects; passive  
sampling at night during and after rain events; capturing, measuring,  
weighing and possibly marking salamanders with elastomer; collecting  
tail tips for genetic analyses; and conducting habitat assessments.  
Technicians may also participate in a stream salamander surveys as  
well. The position requires completion of academic coursework in  
wildlife biology or related fields.  Previous field experience with  
salamander surveys and the catching, handling, measuring and marking  
of amphibians is
preferable. Students must be willing to work independently but most  
fieldwork will be conducted as part of teams of 2-3 people, so a  
demonstrated ability and desire to work effectively with a group is  
imperative. Work will be conducted on steep, rocky terrain during  
varying weather conditions.  Students need to be in good physical  
condition and
comfort and competence with outdoor work.

Students must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to work at  
least 40 hours per week under a flexible schedule (including early  
morning, nighttime and weekend work). Students are responsible for  
all costs of transportation to and from Shenandoah National Park.  
Housing accommodations are provided while in Shenandoah National Park  
in a
facility shared with other research technicians and staff.   
Compensation is commensurate with the level of education and  
experience (approximate wages are: $14-15/hour for two or more years  
of college, $16-18/hour for completion of BA/BS degree or higher).

To apply, send the following to Jennifer Sevin via email  
(sevinJ@si.edu) and copy to zootraining@si.edu by March 1, 2009 (for  
spring-summer technician) or April 1, 2009 (for summer only technician):
1.) Cover Letter
2.) Resume, including previous field experience, list of classes  
taken, contact information, and three reference contacts
3.) One piece of evidence of current or recent (within past 12  
months) enrollment in degree program (e.g., transcript, letter from  
University admissions, a current registration card)

Evan H. Campbell Grant/NE Amphibian Research and Monitoring  
Initiative/USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center/12100 Beech Forest  
Rd., Laurel, MD 20708/
phone: 301.497.5842 fax: 301.497.5784
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/nearmi/