Title: Amphibian Field Conservation Technician

Amphibian Field Conservation Technician (Part-time): Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (Off-grounds Lake County, IL) Pay rate: $16.00 per hour, Position Length: 400 hrs, Start date: March 2023

General Summary

One paid part-time amphibian field technician position is available for a local conservation research project focused on reintroduced wood frogs and resident vernal pool amphibian species. The technician will conduct terrestrial and aquatic sampling of amphibian populations in six Lake County, IL forest preserve sites and may occasionally assist with a snake conservation project as time permits. The technician must be comfortable handling live amphibians with nitrile gloves on, identifying larvae and eggs of amphibians, and collecting noninvasive disease swabs from target species. Field work for the position will generally occur 5 days per week (M-F) for up to 400 hours total, spanning from early/mid March through late July/early August 2023 (allowing some flexibility of end dates). Weekly hours will vary depending on amphibian activity and weather, with longer hours earlier in the season during peak amphibian migration and breeding windows. Some weekend work may be necessary early in the season during peak amphibian breeding migration (typically late March/early April). Please note that the exact start date is weather dependent. Compensation is $16.00 per hour with mileage reimbursement at the government rate, for travel between study sites. A personal vehicle is necessary for travel to and from study sites.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Amphibian Field Conservation technician will be trained to maintain and check terrestrial and aquatic funnel traps, drift fences, and pitfall traps for amphibian captures, collect morphometric data and health swabs for captures, set and maintain automated frog call recorders, record environmental variables, and conduct egg and larval surveys. The technician will help set up and check pond enclosures to monitor hatching success of target species for a translocation study. The technician will also assist with data collection for a large-scale vernal pool phenology collaborative study. Field work will take place in six forested wetland preserves about an hour north of Chicago. The technician will be responsible for maintaining detailed daily field notes on weather conditions and activities, recording data, and entering data into Google Sheets spreadsheets. The technician may have the opportunity to assist with other herpetological field work. The technician will gain valuable skills with amphibian field sampling techniques, photo-mark-recapture studies, disease surveillance, and applied conservation projects. Some independent field work will be necessary following training as other field projects begin, so the technician must be comfortable working independently, off-trail in field sites.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Handling, catching, identifying, and measuring amphibians via coverboards, drift fences, and visual encounter surveys

• Handling, capturing, identifying, and swabbing amphibians for disease surveillance

• Monitor egg masses in field sites with accurate notes and assist with some egg mass translocation

• Traveling between field sampling sites in personal vehicle and decontaminating sampling gear between sites

• Maintain accurate data sheets and field notes

• Recording environmental conditions

• Data entry into Google Sheets

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Because this position is based at multiple field sites, applicants must have a personal vehicle for use for travel to and from field sites. The ideal candidates will be comfortable working in the outdoors with abundant biting insects, ticks, and poison ivy. The technician must effectively communicate with the Curator of Herpetology and forest preserve agency personnel regarding project details. The technician must be able to effectively communicate about the field projects with the public as the field sites are forest preserves with other restoration contractors, hikers, bicyclists, etc. The technician may participate in Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum-related activities as necessary, but the technicians are primarily field-based. The technician will perform other duties related to the field project as assigned. The technician will be required to follow forest preserve contractor guidelines and museum guidelines in regard to COVID-19 safety policies that may include wearing a face mask and distancing during field work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to lift and carry at least 35 lbs. (e.g. 5-gallon buckets containing water, help to move pond enclosures) through off-trail habitat by foot; basic knowledge of local fauna or willingness to learn; must be willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, rain, heat, cold, etc.; must be tolerant of insect bites (because of its toxicity, DEET-based repellents cannot be used when working with amphibians and reptiles); proficiency with Microsoft Office Excel and Word/Google Docs/Google sheets; flexibility regarding meetings, and situations as they arise; must be willing to work independently or as part of a two-person team; training will be provided for all activities.

Qualifications & Requirements

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

B.S. in wildlife biology, biology, ecology, environmental science or a natural resource related field (with relevant course work-ideally herpetology/aquatic ecology)

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

Previous experience working with wildlife and/or conducting scientific research; field-based wildlife handling experience; past experience with wildlife ecological studies, including, amphibian sampling or reptile sampling; possess knowledge of Illinois fauna, particularly amphibians and reptiles, preferred ability to identify frogs by call.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid driver's license, car insurance, and vehicle

• Must be comfortable with amphibians, snakes, coyotes, ticks, mosquitos, gnats, deer, rodents, birds, spiders, and the occasional human in the sites

• Note that two worksites do not have a restroom facility and others have rustic latrines

• A strong work ethic and a good sense of humor are ideal

TO APPLY: https://peggy-notebaert-nature...

The Chicago Academy of Sciences /Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups.