Spotted turtle field technician wanted

Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (NEPARC) is seeking one field technician to assist in a conservation project studying spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) movement and population demographics at the Fort Belvoir U.S. Army Installation. The technician will be assisting with a Ph.D. study, that is embedded within a larger effort to develop a decision support tool for species management at landscape and regional scales, which, ultimately, would increase viability of threatened/endangered species.

Technician duties will include visual encounter surveys, hoop-net trapping, VHF radio-telemetry, capturing and marking turtles, blood collection, vegetation surveys, and data entry. This is a four-month position, starting March 5th, 2019 and ending on July 2nd, 2019. Start and end dates can be flexible within reason.

Housing will not be provided, and transportation to and from the installation is not provided. Salary will be $11.00-$12.00/hr dependent upon qualifications. Additional compensation for mileage will be available.

Successful applicants will demonstrate communication skills, be able to work independently, and be comfortable working on an active military base. The student will be exposed to field conditions including extremes of temperature, humidity, and rain. In addition, field work involves long days/nights traversing through swamps, streams, and other wetlands. The student must be comfortable with catching amphibians and reptiles, and wading in waist-deep waters. Previous experience with identification, capture, and marking of amphibians and reptiles is helpful, but not required. Previous experience with VHF radio telemetry is preferred, but not required.

Applicants must have current eligibility to work in the U.S, a valid U.S. driver’s license, and will need to pass a background check before hiring. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in one pdf file to [email protected] (Ellery Ruther). Please indicate the following in your subject line, “2019 Turtle Technician”. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. If you have any questions please email Ellery Ruther at [email protected].