Seasonal Ecology Field Assistant

Company: Nantucket Conservation Foundation
Location: Nantucket
Posted on: February 19, 2021

Job Description:

The Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Inc. Science and Stewardship Department seeks a seasonal field assistant to conduct ecological research and stewardship activities for the 2021 field season. Candidates must have strong field work experience, excellent plant ID skills and an interest in wildlife ecology.This position includes a wide range of field-based work including vegetation community composition sampling, rare plant inventories, small mammal trapping, wetland surveys and crab trapping, wildlife radio telemetry and bat acoustic monitor deployment. Candidates should be motivated, enthusiastic, self-reliant and able to learn quickly. For more information on NCF's mission and current research projects, please see the Foundation's website www.nantucketconservation.org and our Science Blog on the website.Primary Responsibilities* Quickly develop a working knowledge of the island's plant species;* Monitor vegetation communities and rare plant species in connection with research and management projects using various sampling methods (percent cover, line intercept, species counts, presence/absence, etc.) and in various habitats (grasslands, salt marshes, wetlands);* Small mammal trapping and handling, insect pitfall trapping, specimen sorting and identification, and spotted turtle surveys and possible radio telemetry;* Assist with bat population monitoring through deployment of acoustic detectors, mist netting may occur later in the season;* Salt marsh crab trapping and removal from key marshes;* Inventory state-listed plant species that currently or have historically occurred on Nantucket;* Participate in population ecology studies of several plant and animal species of conservation concern;* Inventory, monitoring, and management of invasive plant species including hand digging and pulling and assisting a certified herbicide applicator by cutting stems, bagging and hauling away cut material;* Assist in greenhouse-based projects such as native seed collection, propagation and out-planting for habitat restoration and native garden establishment;* Data entry and quality control;* Occasional participation in environmental education, interpretive, development and/or fundraising activities as needed.RequirementsRequired Qualifications B.S. or B.A. in Ecology, Botany, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related biological/ecological field. One full season of field work experience required. Competitive applicants will have both strong plant identification skills and an interest in wildlife handling and monitoring. Experience in vegetation community monitoring techniques and ecological field data collection. Experience using GPS units in the field and using Microsoft Excel for data entry. Interest in invasive species management and willingness to participate in manual aspects of herbicide management projects. Strong observational, critical thinking and organizational skills are essential, as is the ability to accurately collect data and record field notes. Individuals must be able to work both independently and as a member of a team. A valid driver's license is required.Desired Qualifications Familiarity with the flora of the northeastern United States and past plant taxonomy coursework. Having or willingness to independently obtain a MA Herbicide Applicator license is useful but not required.Physical Demands and Work Environment This is a field work intensive position and applicants must be able to tolerate adverse field conditions. Field work includes the possibility for inclement weather and variable terrain, poison ivy and biting insects (mosquitoes, deer ticks). Nantucket is an area with a high incidence of tick-borne disease so precautions to minimize risk are encouraged. The work involves hiking, standing, bending, kneeling, and hauling field gear on a routine basis. While field assistants will not be applying or working directly with herbicide, they will be working in the vicinity of herbicide application with precautions taken to avoid direct exposure.BenefitsDates/Hours This is a full-time, temporary and seasonal position beginning in mid-May and ending in mid-October; exact dates are somewhat flexible. Hours are generally 40 hours a week with daily hours variable depending on particular projects early-morning and late-night field work will be required depending on project, weather, tides, etc. Weekend work will be required for certain non-profit events and field projects.Wages/Benefits Wage is $13 per hour based on a 40-hour work week. Housing is provided in shared, employee house. Work-related transportation is provided but is not available after working hours. No paid time off (vacation or sick time) is available to seasonal employees of the Foundation. The Foundation cannot offer employee benefits to seasonal employees.COVID-19 Considerations For the health and safety of our staff, exact start dates may depend on current recommendations for travel and quarantine requirements. Flexibility on the part of seasonal workers may be required. NCF follows employer COVID-related protocols, and if necessary, this position may require a quarantine and/or negative COVID test prior to start date. To maintain a safe working environment for NCF staff and the community, all NCF staff are required to adhere to all federal, state and local COVID-19 guidelines. Additionally, all staff are required to adhere to NCF's internal COVID-19 operating procedures and protocols.TO APPLY Application deadline is Monday February 1st by 5pm, we review applications on a rolling basis.Click APPLY to job and fill out the form and upload your Application Packet using the Upload Resume linkApplication Packet ONE PDF DOCUMENT INCLUDINGCover Letter, Resume, Contact Information for 3 references, and Unofficial Undergraduate College Transcripts** Please note, applications sent without transcripts will NOT be accepted. There are many free websites that will combine your transcript pdfs with your application pdf. Contact us with any issues.Applications accepted ONLY through this hiring website https //nantucket-conservation-foundation.workable.comQuestions Contact Dr. Jennifer Karberg jkarberg@nantucketconservation.org

Keywords: Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket , Seasonal Ecology Field Assistant, Other , Nantucket, Massachusetts