QAQC Coordinator for Desert Tortoise Population Monitoring Institute for Wildlife Studies
Description: The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) population monitoring program is part of the US Fish and Wildlife Services recovery initiative for the Mojave Desert population of this federally threatened species. To estimate population size and density and to track trends over time, field technicians obtain data from line distance sampling transects and radio-telemetry. This data must be centrally collected, checked following defined quality assurance/quality control (QAQC) guidelines, and turned into USFWS weekly. The QAQC Coordinator will be responsible for: (1) traveling to meet crews at specified locations in the Mojave desert for weekly collection of data; (2) weekly delivery of paper and electronic data that have been verified for completeness and correctness (QAQC); (3) weekly updates on completion of assigned transects, and timely and appropriate response to feedback from the USFWS to improve patterns in collected data; (4) assisting the project lead with creating maps, creating or assisting with reports, and crew supervision; and (5) working with field crews to reduce errors in data entry. The position requires regular contact with IWS staff in the Arcata office and USFWS project staff, plus interaction with field crews. The QAQC coordinator is expected to have previous knowledge of Microsoft Access and ArcGIS, an understanding of working with large databases, and distance sampling methodology. The exact start and end date is to be determined, but we anticipate a start in early March, with work through June 8. The coordinator is expected to work 5 consecutive days per week, with the understanding that 2 days off may vary. The position requires long hours, extensive travel, a willingness to meet with field crews in the Mojave Desert, and participation in the end-of-season project debrief. Salary: Approximately $3,000/month (based on an hourly wage) plus housing. Location: Las Vegas, Nevada with travel to Barstow, CA and possibly throughout the Mojave Desert. Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to Dr. Nathan Gregory at [email protected]. Please include the job title (QAQC Coordinator) you are applying for in the subject line. By mail: Institute for Wildlife Studies, PO Box 1104, Arcata, CA 95518.
