**BEE & PLANT INTERNSHIP!!** SPRING 2012: Field Technician Needed for Native Bee Ecology Study at Pinnacles National Monument, CA California’s beautiful, remote Pinnacles National Monument is home to approximately 400 species of bees, making it one of the most densely diverse areas for bees known in the world. The vast majority of this impressive fauna are native, solitary bees representing a stunning variety of morphologies, behaviors and floral preferences. Researchers from Utah State University and the USDA-ARS are currently working to survey the bee fauna in different habitat types throughout the monument and answer questions about bee community and population dynamics and resource preferences in various contexts. We are looking for one technician who can commit to spending February though June living in this beautiful area and working full time assisting these efforts. Some field biology, entomology, or botany experience is preferred but not required. Main requirements are hardiness, flexibility, willingness to learn, and a good attitude. The selected individual will gain experience with ecological sampling techniques, a variety of side pollination projects, netting and pan trapping bees, insect pinning, observing and recording plant-pollinator interactions, and identifying the diverse flora in this natural California ecosystem. He/she will work closely with the graduate student and spend long days hiking across the monument with heavy gear, sometimes in extreme heat (can be 100+ degrees in May/June). Pinnacles offers a great network of hiking trails, views, rock climbing, and access to other wonderful areas in California, but is also home to mountain lions (rare), rattlesnakes, black widow spiders and a variety of other dangers. This is a great way to gain field experience for graduate school or other field biology or National Park Service jobs and to spend a spring hiking around outside learning about bees and plants and getting to know a fantastic area of California. Duration: Roughly mid-February - late June, 2012 (will know exact dates in Jan). Weekly Schedule: Typically four 10 or 11-hour days/week. Days worked depend on weather, so technician needs to be flexible, however we typically stick to a Mon- Thurs field schedule, which often leaves 3-day weekends for exploring CA. Housing: Possible housing in the park dorms, to be determined. Compensation: Approx. $200-275/week, in addition to valuable experience. If interested in applying, please send an email with an attached resume, contact info for three references, and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and any previous experience with fieldwork, bees, and/or plants to: [email protected]
You can send questions to: [email protected]
