The USGS, Leetown Science Center, Aquatic Ecology Branch seeks to hire a contract field technician for the summer of 2010 to assist with data collection for a research project being conducted at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Canaan Valley, West Virginia.
Duties: The field technician will assist biologists in identifying wetland vegetation and tabulating vegetation community composition, density, and cover at field plots in support of a study of hydrologic impacts of an historical railroad grade bisecting the valley. Additional duties will be to assist in measuring water levels, and entering field collected data into computerized databases or spreadsheets. Qualifications: Knowledge, education, and/or and experience with wetland plant identification and assessment required. Experience assisting with field investigations desired. Ability and willingness to work long hours in challenging environments including exposure to sun, temperature extremes, biting insects, and travel over rough or boggy terrain in vehicles and on foot. Experience with global positioning systems (GPS) preferred. THIS IS A STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT POSITION: To qualify, applicants must be currently enrolled as a student at a college or university, or must be within one year of having graduated. Students are considered independent contractors and are responsible for paying their own payroll taxes. Pay and benefits: Pay will be approx. $13.98-$17.56/hour, depending on qualifications, educational level, and experience. Housing at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge will be provided, but the government does not provide meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Start date: ~ May 24, 2010 (negotiable). Employment term is for 12 weeks/480 hours. For more information, contact John Young, Research Biologist, USGS Leetown Science Center, 304-724-4469. If interested, please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to [email protected].
