Deadline: Sat, 05/25/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: U.S. Geological Survey - Wetland and Aquatic Research Center Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Florida Location Detail: Gainesville, FLorida Job Description: The student will be expected to work as part of a team to perform or assist with ecological field investigations following USGS study plans and protocols. Field work will involve identifying, catching, and measuring amphibians in stream-side habitats and collecting environmental data. The student will be required to conduct field surveys, using techniques that could include techniques such as visual encounter surveys, dip netting, stream transect searches, temporary removal sampling, and coverboard surveys. Data may be recorded by hand onto data sheets and/or field notebooks and data entry in the SEARMI Local Database is a required part of the position. There could be opportunities to develop an independent research project or to earn course credits. Work is performed outdoors, in a field setting involving exposure to a range of weather and temperature conditions. Extensive walking/hiking and traversing mountainous, rough terrain and uneven slopes will be required to reach study sites. Project will require traveling long distances across the Southeast US in a government-provided vehicle and possibly overnight tent camping in remote areas. Exposure to poisonous vegetation, insects and reptiles could occur. Students are advised that workdays could occasionally exceed 8 hours and continue for up to 10 consecutive days at a time. The candidate’s principal duty station will be USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653. When not on travel to the field, the candidate will be working in an office environment in a federal building and must therefore pass a government background check and obtain credentials to use a government-issued computer. Additionally, several training classes (e.g., defensive driving, wilderness first aid, CPR, etc.), provided by the government, must be completed before candidate can begin actual work. Qualifications: The position requires previous completion of academic coursework or work experience related to wildlife biology, as well as a demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a team setting. Students must have knowledge of biological principles and practices to apply standard scientific techniques in the completion of assignments related to SEARMI investigations and studies. Previous experience working with amphibians and the ability to accurately identify different species and their larval forms, especially those that occur in the Appalachian region, is essential for success in this position. Students also need to be capable of spending long hours in the field in difficult terrain and hiking with heavy equipment up to 45 pounds. If necessary, the student must be willing to euthanize animals and collect anatomical samples from live animals using SEARMI and approved IACUC protocols. Students must have a valid driver's license. This contract position requires registration in SAM.gov to obtain a DUNS number. How to Apply: Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV/resumé ASAP to allow time for mandatory training, background check, etc. prior to going into the field. Interested candidates should send their materials to Dr. Susan Walls at swalls@usgs.gov.
