*Start and end dates (approximate): March 21st – August 31st *Job Description Summary: Interns are needed to conduct a variety of animal surveys as part of a long-term food web and climate change study in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. The Carrizo is the largest remnant of the San Joaquin grassland ecosystem and contains many endangered plants and animals. Employee 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. Vegetation sampling, mark-recapture surveys of threatened squirrels, visual line transects for reptiles, and spotlight surveys for predators and lagomorphs will also be conducted. Interns will assist with set up of precipitation plots at the start of the season. Additional duties include precipitation plot repairs, soil and precipitation monitoring and data entry. *Knowledge, skills and abilities required: Applicants should have a strong interest in natural history, conservation, and/or management and a high level of responsibility, organization, and motivation. Applicants should have the ability to be flexible and live and work well with others in an isolated setting while maintaining work quality and a positive attitude during challenging field conditions. Applicants should be in good physical condition and experienced with or able to tolerate hot and cold field conditions. Applicants should be able to work long hours in the field and at night. Applicants should have a strong interest in deserts and arid regions or in the species being studied. Applicants should be knowledgeable in Microsoft Office applications. *Typical education or training required: At least two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and at least one season of field experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. *Length of time & type of experience required: At least two years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and at least one season of field experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. *Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities for this position: Preferred applicants will have familiarity with the plants and animals of California and previous pit tagging and small mammal experience. Experience with the following field techniques is also helpful: small mammal live trapping and handling, distance sampling, and pitfall trapping. Construction and or irrigation experience is also helpful.
*Duties of position: • Mark-recapture of Giant Kangaroo Rats • Mark-recapture of San Jaoquin Antelope Squirrels • Visual line transect surveys for reptiles • Spotlighting surveys for predators and lagomorphs • Vegetation sampling and cow patty counts • Plot maintenance • Data entry and other duties as assigned • Soil and precipitation monitoring • Precipitation plot maintenance Salary: $600/month plus housing. Applications (resume, cover letter, references contact) should be emailed to [email protected].
