These technicians will conduct amphibian surveys in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey 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 involving the federally endangered Shenandoah salamander and experiments with captive amphibian populations may also be required.
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 position’s start date) are eligible for these student contractor positions. Foreign students are not 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 9th, 2017:
1) Letter of intent (please specify when you will be able to start working)
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, or a current registration card; transcripts are preferred). Candidates who graduated prior to May 2016 are ineligible.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Andrew at 301-497-5842.
Program Coordinator: Evan H. Campbell Grant, PhD
NE Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative: USGS
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, 1 Migratory Way,
Turners Falls MA 01376
phone: 413.863.3823 fax: 413-863-9810
http://profile.usgs.gov/professional/mypage.php?name=ehgrant