AVIAN FORAGING SEASONAL BIOLOGIST SALARY: $13.00/hour START DATE:February , 2010 LOCATION:Fort Hood, TX
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: •Associate’s degree in natural resources, environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months of experience. Bachelor’s degree preferred. •Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources. •Experience performing administrative duties emphasizing detail-oriented and numerical tasks. •Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software. •Experience working and communicating with a diverse group of people •Valid driver’s license. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Fort Hood Military Reservation, located adjacent to Killeen, TX, is home to two endangered birds: the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. The Nature Conservancy, in cooperation with the Department of Defense, is conducting long-term monitoring and research on these species. The seasonal field biologist(s) will participate in a foraging study examining whether golden-cheeked warblers use oaks infected with oak wilt. Duties will include collecting detailed behavioral observations, resighting color-banded golden-cheeked warblers, target mist-netting using playback of recorded vocalizations, banding, aging and sexing of birds, delineating territories, collecting vegetation data, using GPS units, maintaining a field journal, data entry and verification, and preparation of equipment for field work. This is a seasonal position running from February to June 2010. Up to two positions are available, depending on funding. Seasonal field biologists must provide their own housing and transportation to work. PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: •Experience collecting biological field data and keeping accurate, detailed field records. •A background in ornithology, preferably with field experience in resighting color-banded birds, mist-netting and banding birds, delineating territories, locating birds with binoculars, and identifying birds by sight and sound. •Ability to see full spectrum of colors, start work day before sunrise, endure adverse conditions and inclement weather. •Ability to navigate alone in the field using a map and GPS unit. •Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s). •Familiarity with the vegetation of the Edwards Plateau is beneficial. •Experience using GIS software and data to create maps, as well as using GPS units and reading maps. •Familiar with the operation of 4WD, standard transmission vehicles. Field sites are located in rugged, remote terrain. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: The Seasonal Field Botanist will work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may include the following: •exposure to intense heat and sunshine •long work hours in isolated settings •contact with poison ivy, chiggers, fire ants, scorpions, thorns, and venomous snakes •extensive walking through brush, over loose rocks, and on steep slopes •require physical exertion and/or muscular strain •present occasional possibility of injury ABOUT US: The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. To apply, visit http://www.nature.org/careers. Click “how to apply”, “view positions” and then search for the keywords ‘avian foraging’ or search for Job ID 11563. Make sure that you select “anytime” for posting time. Please upload your cover letter and resume as one document (.doc or .txt). Application deadline is February 15, 2009. Applicants will be screened, interviewed, and hired as applications are received. The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
