Wood Turtle Conservation Biologist (Position Now Closed)
Agency
University of Massachusetts & American Turtle Observatory
Location
Central Massachusetts
Job Category
Temporary/Seasonal Positions
Website
http://americanturtles.org
Salary
$15 to $17 per hour
Start Date
04/15/2016
Last Date to Apply
03/22/2016
Description
The Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, and American Turtle Observatory (http://americanturtles.org) are seeking a biologist to help coordinated key aspects of a regional conservation plan for wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) from Maine to Virginia, and to undertake standardized field surveys for wood turtles in New England. The position will involve both office and field responsibilities and will run from April 15 to October 15 (start and end dates are negotiable). Office responsibilities will require careful management of sensitive endangered species data in Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, and GoogleEarth; coordinating conference calls for different aspects of a regional project; synthesizing and analyzing regulatory and environmental review information; helping to prepare technical papers; preparing engaging technical assistance materials to improve habitat management for wood turtles; working with partners to refining existing species distribution models; and working collaboratively with biologists from UMass, ATO, Antioch University, and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to develop a conservation area network and a regional conservation plan. Field responsibilities will involve standardized visual encounter surveys for wood turtles along stream channels in both wild and urban environments; entering and proofing field data on a weekly basis; and following decontamination procedures to minimize the spread of pathogens. The standard work schedule will be five days on / two days off (exact days of the week are flexible) or 10 days on / four days off. The biologist will be expected to attend a two-day training session with other biologists from April 16–17, and to participate in a wood turtle conservation symposium to be held October 3–4, 2016 in Westborough, MA. The biologist will be expected to work independently with biweekly team meetings and monthly conference calls. Primitive camping in poor weather conditions, without phone or internet facilities, may be required during field surveys. All data collected and shared under this position will be protected by data-sharing agreements with UMass, ATO, and various state agencies, and may not be retained after the end of the contract. The biologist must adhere to all state and federal environmental laws in the course of their employment. The Wood Turtle Conservation Biologist will also be expected to work cooperatively with other biologists studying wood turtles over a larger geographic area, building on the recommendations of a regional status assessment (americanturtles.org/wood-turtle.html).
Qualifications
Applicants should be enthusiastic and sociable, enjoy travel, and expect to work long hours in the field in difficult conditions (cold, bugs). 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, and should anticipate a roughly equal proportion of field and computer work. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a field relevant to the project. A graduate degree in a relevant field is preferred. Applicants with direct experience implementing the Northeast regional wood turtle monitoring protocols will be given preference. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle, be able to swim, and be able to operate a kayak or canoe. Candidates must be proficient in GPS navigation and be able to interpret maps and aerial photographs. Desired qualifications include ecological experience with North American wood turtles, experience with capture-recapture and occupancy-based mathematical models, experience with habitat modeling and conservation area planning, experience with ArcGIS and GoogleEarth. Applicants will ideally be able to start work in Massachusetts by April 15, 2016.
To apply, email a brief cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as a single Word or PDF document to: Mike Jones, [email protected] (postdoc) AND Paul Sievert, [email protected] (principal investigator) by March 22, 2016. Please don't hesitate to email with questions.
Contact Person
Mike Jones
Contact Phone
(978) 604-1330
Contact Email
[email protected]
University of Massachusetts & American Turtle Observatory
Location
Central Massachusetts
Job Category
Temporary/Seasonal Positions
Website
http://americanturtles.org
Salary
$15 to $17 per hour
Start Date
04/15/2016
Last Date to Apply
03/22/2016
Description
The Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, and American Turtle Observatory (http://americanturtles.org) are seeking a biologist to help coordinated key aspects of a regional conservation plan for wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) from Maine to Virginia, and to undertake standardized field surveys for wood turtles in New England. The position will involve both office and field responsibilities and will run from April 15 to October 15 (start and end dates are negotiable). Office responsibilities will require careful management of sensitive endangered species data in Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, and GoogleEarth; coordinating conference calls for different aspects of a regional project; synthesizing and analyzing regulatory and environmental review information; helping to prepare technical papers; preparing engaging technical assistance materials to improve habitat management for wood turtles; working with partners to refining existing species distribution models; and working collaboratively with biologists from UMass, ATO, Antioch University, and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to develop a conservation area network and a regional conservation plan. Field responsibilities will involve standardized visual encounter surveys for wood turtles along stream channels in both wild and urban environments; entering and proofing field data on a weekly basis; and following decontamination procedures to minimize the spread of pathogens. The standard work schedule will be five days on / two days off (exact days of the week are flexible) or 10 days on / four days off. The biologist will be expected to attend a two-day training session with other biologists from April 16–17, and to participate in a wood turtle conservation symposium to be held October 3–4, 2016 in Westborough, MA. The biologist will be expected to work independently with biweekly team meetings and monthly conference calls. Primitive camping in poor weather conditions, without phone or internet facilities, may be required during field surveys. All data collected and shared under this position will be protected by data-sharing agreements with UMass, ATO, and various state agencies, and may not be retained after the end of the contract. The biologist must adhere to all state and federal environmental laws in the course of their employment. The Wood Turtle Conservation Biologist will also be expected to work cooperatively with other biologists studying wood turtles over a larger geographic area, building on the recommendations of a regional status assessment (americanturtles.org/wood-turtle.html).
Qualifications
Applicants should be enthusiastic and sociable, enjoy travel, and expect to work long hours in the field in difficult conditions (cold, bugs). 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, and should anticipate a roughly equal proportion of field and computer work. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a field relevant to the project. A graduate degree in a relevant field is preferred. Applicants with direct experience implementing the Northeast regional wood turtle monitoring protocols will be given preference. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle, be able to swim, and be able to operate a kayak or canoe. Candidates must be proficient in GPS navigation and be able to interpret maps and aerial photographs. Desired qualifications include ecological experience with North American wood turtles, experience with capture-recapture and occupancy-based mathematical models, experience with habitat modeling and conservation area planning, experience with ArcGIS and GoogleEarth. Applicants will ideally be able to start work in Massachusetts by April 15, 2016.
To apply, email a brief cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as a single Word or PDF document to: Mike Jones, [email protected] (postdoc) AND Paul Sievert, [email protected] (principal investigator) by March 22, 2016. Please don't hesitate to email with questions.
Contact Person
Mike Jones
Contact Phone
(978) 604-1330
Contact Email
[email protected]