WANTED! 5 Summer Wildlife Biology Technicians in Alaska:
1 FIELD CREW LEADER and 4 FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
EMPLOYMENT WINDOW: May 1 August 15, 2010
Not to Exceed 120 days.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
These positions are vital for a research project
on the declining Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus
carolinus) in Alaska. The Rusty Blackbird has
suffered one of the steepest declines of any bird
in North America, having declined by 9098% since
1966. The species continues to decline by a rate
of 5%12% per year range-wide, including a 5% decline per year in Alaska.
FIELD CREW LEADER (Fish and Wildlife Tech IV):
~ $4000/month May 1 August 15 This position
will lead a field crew of 3 working in Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.
FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (FWT Tech II and
III): ~ $2,700 - $3000/month May 1 July 15 Two
Tech IIs will be located at Tetlin National
Wildlife Refuge near Tok; One Tech II will be
stationed in Chugach National Forest working on
the Copper River Delta; and the Tech III will be
working out of the Anchorage office. All
positions will be conducting field work. The
Anchorage tech and one Tetlin tech will likely
also participate in remote backcountry bird
surveys in Denali State Park at the end of June.
Living Conditions
Tetlin: The field work is in remote areas that
can be accessed from the road system or by boat
and canoe. Housing will consist of a Weatherport
for sleeping and access to a kitchen and common
area in refuge outpost. All housing and food expenses will be covered.
Copper River Delta: The field work is in remote
areas accessed from a remote tent camp with
travel to sites by airboat and small
kayak. Housing out of the field will be in the
Forest Service bunk house. All housing and food expenses will be covered.
Anchorage: The field work is in remote areas
surrounding urban Anchorage, with travel to sites
by road and canoe. Housing and food are not
provided while working in Anchorage.
Work
The research will involve: bird identification;
behavioral observation; nest searching; nest and
chick monitoring, as well as the capture,
banding, measurement, and collection of
biological samples from adult and juvenile Rusty
Blackbirds. The daily routine for all positions
will require long hours of strenuous hiking
through difficult wetland terrain, bugs, working
in inclement weather, and early mornings. The
work also involves living in intimate conditions
with a small crew in a remote setting (except
Anchorage), conducting research, recording and
maintaining data, dealing with all camp chores,
cooking, cleaning, communication, and the
maintenance and repair of all equipment. The
work will require use of binoculars, GPS, digital
camera, VHF radio, satellite phone, mist nets,
calipers, rulers, scales, banding supplies, blood
and specimen collection equipment, as well as
state of the art camping equipment.
The field camps will be intimate. The season
will get long, and weather and working conditions
will at times be difficult and trying. Among the
most important and difficult aspects of these
positions will be maintaining positive
interpersonal relationships with the other
members of the field crew, defusing any tensions
that will undoubtedly arise through the long,
difficult season, while simultaneously insuring
that study objectives are met. The work schedule
while in the field will be variable, ranging from
5 to 10 days in the field before coming in for
2-3 days to re-supply and dry out. The Anchorage
schedule will be 5-7 days per week.
All positions, especially the Field Crew Leader
may begin as early as April 27 if candidates are
available. Fieldwork will commence approximately
May 1 and last until approximately July 15. The
Field Crew Leader will continue work in the
Anchorage Region II office through August
15. Office work will include data entry, report
writing, sample processing, and some rudimentary GIS work.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful applicants will posses some
combination of experience in the following areas:
Field Research Assistant -
Experience in remote wilderness settings for extended periods.
Experience in biological studies.
Experience with biological studies in
remote wilderness settings for extended periods.
Experience with sea kayaks in the ocean and
with marine navigation and safety.
Experience taking detailed and accurate
field notes and managing data in biological studies.
Experience working well in small teams under trying circumstances.
Experience in biological studies of birds
(passerines shorebirds, seabirds, other birds).
Experience with capture, handling, and banding of birds.
Field Crew Leader
Experience in biological studies involving passerines.
Experience in productivity studies of passerines.
Experience with capture, handling, and banding of passerines.
Experience with biological studies in remote wilderness settings.
Experience with small motor boats and canoes on lakes and rivers.
Experience taking detailed and accurate field notes.
Experience with data management, data
entry, and data quality control in biological studies.
Experience with technical report writing.
Experience with computer software such as MS Excel, Word, and Access.
Experience with Geographic Information Systems in biological studies.
Experience using ESRI GIS software.
HOW TO APPLY: (1) Apply on Workplace Alaska
(Google Workplace Alaska or
<http://notes4.state.ak.us/wa/mainentry.nsf/WebData/HTMLJob+Posting+Board/?open>http://notes4.state.ak.us/wa/mainentry.nsf/WebData/HTMLJob+Posting+Board/?open);
and (2) Send resume and letter of interest
explaining your background and experience to hiring manager below.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: APRIL 2, 2010
SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
David F. Tessler
Regional Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Diversity
Program Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99518
Phone: (907) 267-2332
Fax: (907) 267-2433
Email: [email protected]
Web:
<http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=nongame.staff>http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=nongame.staff
