SCDNR is looking to hire a long-term Lead Bat Tech; please see below for more information.
SCDNR Lead Bat Technician, 2 years
Click here to apply. Position closes 11/9/2022 5:00 PM Eastern
Position Description: The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is looking for a 2 year Lead Bat Technician to assist with winter hibernacula surveys, as well as lead spring/summer coastal bat monitoring through mist netting, radio-tagging, and tracking of bat species such as Northern long-eared, Tri-colored, and Rafinesque’s big-eared bats. During winter, the Lead Tech will assist the SCDNR bat biologist in surveying and conducting WNS surveillance in hibernacula in mines, railroad tunnels, rock shelters, and road culverts statewide. During the spring and summer, the Lead Tech will run the netting project on the coastal plain of SC with one seasonal netting technician. Utilization of local netting volunteers is an option, if interested. Bat netting would be conducted on non-holiday, Mon-Thurs nights. This involves being on site in the evening for set-up, netting for 5 hours after sunset, and clean-up. When bats are tagged and ready to track, netting nights will be reduced accordingly to keep hours worked within 40 hrs per week. Netting season will likely run from late Apr thru early Aug. No housing provided except when overnight stays outside the Columbia area/base location are needed, in which case $35 per diem and housing will be provided. This means housing and per diem will be provided during the entire spring and summer netting season on the coast. The Lead Tech will also utilize the ArcGIS Survey123 app to enter bat data into the SC Heritage Trust database and NABat online database, assist with reporting, and provide outreach to partners and public as needed. SCDNR vehicle provided.
Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management or related technical area and at least 2 years related experience OR >3 years of related experience. Applicants must be able to work independently and supervise one other technician. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and be willing to work nights during netting season.
Preferred Qualifications: Applicants should be able to work under adverse field conditions ranging from cold and wet in winter to hot and humid in summer, where encounters with snakes, alligators, biting insects, etc. are possible. Applicants should be in good enough physical condition to hike at least 5 miles per day. Preference given to candidates with up-to-date pre-exposure rabies vaccines.
Start date: Dec 5, 2022
Duration: 2 years. Potential for extension past 2 years.
Salary: $16 per hour, 40 hrs/week. When overnight stay outside of the Columbia area/base location is needed, $35 per diem and housing will be provided.