Dates: Two Sessions: April-May and July-August, 2013 Location: Carrizo Plain National Monument, California (60 miles east of San Luis Obispo)
Duties: 3 interns are needed for two work sessions to conduct a variety of animal surveys as part of a long-term food web study in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. If interested, applicants may participate in both work sessions. The Carrizo is the largest remnant of the San Joaquin grassland ecosystem and contains many endangered plants and animals. Interns will work on a team of 3-5 people and will conduct a variety of surveys, focusing especially on mark-recapture of endangered kangaroo rats. Mark-recapture surveys of threatened squirrels, visual line transects for reptiles, pitfall trapping for invertebrates, and spotlight surveys for predators and lagomorphs may also be conducted, and team members will help with vegetation sampling. Requirements: All applicants must be pursuing or have a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences and have previous field experience. For the first session, applicants must be able to start work by the first week of April and work through the end of May. For the second session, applicants must be able to work all of July and through the end of August. A strong interest in natural history, conservation, and/or management and a high level of responsibility, organization, and motivation are required for all positions. PIT tagging experience, small mammal trapping experience, and familiarity with the plants and animals of California are particularly desired. Must be flexible and live and work well with others in an isolated setting. Applicants must be able to maintain work quality and a positive attitude during challenging field conditions. Applicants must be in good physical condition and experienced with or able to tolerate hot and cold field conditions. Must be able to work long hours and be comfortable working at night. Prefer applicants with experience and strong interest in grassland or desert species. Work schedule: Approx. 40 hrs per week, variable throughout season Compensation: $800/month. Housing is provided at an active research facility on the Monument. To Apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 2-3 references as a single Word or PDF attachment to Rachel Endicott at [email protected]. Please specify in your cover letter the work session in which you are interested. Please apply by February 8th, 2013 for the April/May session and May 3rd for the July/August session.
