Arizona Mud Turtle Technician
Agency
American Turtle Observatory
Location
Southern Arizona, USA
Job Category
Temporary/Seasonal Positions
Website
http://americanturtles.org
Salary
$1000 monthly stipend
Start Date
ca. May 15, 2017
End Date
September 30, 2017
Last Date to Apply
January 27, 2017
Description
American Turtle Observatory (ATO; http://americanturtles.org) and Antioch University New England are seeking a Field Technician to study the ecology and seasonal behavior of the Arizona Mud Turtles (Kinosternon arizonense), a monsoon-adapted species, in southern Arizona during the summer of 2017. This position will involve both office and field responsibilities and will run from May 15 – September 15, 2017 (start and end dates are negotiable). Office responsibilities will require careful data management in Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, and/or GoogleEarth; coordinating monthly conference calls with project partners; helping to prepare a technical report; preparing a technical assistance handout to improve habitat management for Arizona Mud Turtles. Field responsibilities will involve trapping, seining, and hand-capturing mud turtles in remote environments near the border with Sonora, Mexico; daily radiotelemetry of ten adult Arizona Mud Turtles; entering and proofing all field data on a weekly basis; managing photographs; and following standard decontamination procedures to protect mud turtles as well as Chiricahua Leopard Frogs. The standard work schedule will be five days on/two days off or 10 days on / four days off. The exact days of the week are flexible. The biologist will be expected to attend a four-day training session with other biologists in Arizona in May 2017. Because of the unpredictability of monsoon rains and the possibility of infrequent movements by the radioed mud turtles, it may be necessary for the technician to develop a complementary study of other native turtle species in coordination with Arizona Game and Fish Department and ATO. Primitive camping in poor weather conditions without phone or internet may be required. All data collected and shared under this position will be protected by data-sharing agreements with ATO and Arizona Game and Fish Department. The biologist must adhere to all state and federal environmental laws in the course of their employment.
Qualifications
Applicants should be enthusiastic and sociable, enjoy travel, and expect to work long hours in the field in difficult conditions (heat, cold, rain, insects). Applicants should enjoy working independently with multiple days of relative solitude, and be ready to independently prioritize research-related decisions based upon a strong grasp of project objectives. Applicants should also be able to interact in a professional manner by email and phone. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license; access to a personal vehicle in Arizona is preferred. Ideal candidates will be proficient in GPS and compass navigation and be able to interpret topographic maps and aerial photographs. Desired qualifications also include field experience with freshwater turtles in the wild, experience with habitat modeling and conservation area planning, experience with ArcGIS and GoogleEarth. Ideal applicants will be able to start work in Arizona by May 15, 2017.
To apply, email a brief (<1 page) cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as a single Word or PDF document to: Liz Willey, [email protected] and Mike Jones, [email protected] by January 27, 2017. Please don't hesitate to email with questions.
Contact Person: Liz Willey
Contact E-Mail: [email protected]