POSITION INFORMATION: 2 Research Aid 1 Technicians (wildlife) with the University of Washington (fieldwork to be conducted along the Columbia River, near the John Day dam, Oregon/Washington border)
Start and end dates: May 2017 to end of July 2017, with a possible extension to September 2017 Salary: $15/hour Project description: Conduct a comprehensive inventory of wildlife species (mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) at two sites – one along the Columbia River near the John Day dam and one at the Willow Creek dam project area. The mammal surveys will use a combination of motion-activated camera trapping and live trapping for capture-mark-recapture (CMR) analysis to detect and enumerate both small and large species. Accordingly, applicants must be familiar with small mammal trapping and identifying species, and preference will be given to those who are familiar with taxa of the Pacific Northwest. To survey for reptiles and amphibians, we will use a combination of techniques, including nocturnal call surveys (recording sound at sample points and later identifying the species). Accordingly, preference will be given to applicants who are familiar with using herpetofaunal calls to identify species. Technicians will also use visual encounter surveys and roadkill/ basking surveys to identify species and estimate abundance. This work supports a larger project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Duties: Applicant should be responsible, organized and motivated. Field work will involve navigating and hiking across rugged terrain to field sites while carrying heavy equipment (e.g., live traps and cameras). During periods without field work, efforts will be focused on data entry and identifying wildlife species in camera-trap photos. Cameras will be deployed at the beginning of the field season and then checked regularly. Small-mammal trapping will occur in the early morning (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM) and again in the early evening (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM) to ensure small mammal safety. Requirements: Applicants must have experience handling small-mammals, working with small-mammal live-traps and Oregon/Washington small-mammal identification. Strong preference will also be given to applicants with experience deploying camera traps and with handling and identifying reptiles and amphibians. Applicant should be detail oriented with the ability to take careful notes in field and office settings (Microsoft Excel experience); preference will also be given to those with GIS experience. Applicants should be in good physical condition with the ability to hike in hot temperatures and in rugged terrain while carrying equipment, and should be comfortable working outdoors and in challenging field conditions (e.g. hot/cold) including along roadsides, fast moving water, and railroad right of ways. Applicant should have basic competency using GPS/maps to locate field sites and record waypoints. Availability to work full- time (40 hours/week) is essential. Applicants must have their own vehicle (mileage reimbursement at $0.54/mile). If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to Michael Case ([email protected]). Please respond no later than April 30, 2017
