Bat jobs in Mid-Atlantic

[John Chenger]

Bat Conservation and Management, Inc. is seeking field team members to participate in bat mist net surveys and radio telemetry projects in the mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern U.S. from April 23 to approx October 15, 2007. Dates flexible, as per project requirements.

Duties throughout the field season include transporting, installing, and removing harp trap and mist net equipment, removing bats from mist nets, maintaining equipment, documentation, and conducting vegetation surveys within the study area. Applicants must be able to take accurate notes, communicate clearly, and operate independently. Staff will be trained at the beginning of the field season, but experience with mist nets, orienteering, equipment handling, computer data management, and basic northeast vegetation knowledge would be helpful. The position requires long hours of extensive hiking at night throughout rugged uneven terrain or in waist deep water. Applicant should be able to hike with a 30+ lb. pack in inclement weather. Working hours vary each day with times usually between 5 PM and 3 AM. If radio telemetry work is involved, overnight work is expected. Work often extends several weeks straight without breaks. Applicants should be in good physical condition.

During fieldwork, an encampment near the study area will serve as a base of operations. Employees will have access to a food storage area, refrigerator, stove, field showers, potable water, and electricity. It is expected that employees will provide their own personal items such as sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, boots, and other appropriate clothing. No backcountry camping is involved. While the camp has many comforts, it is in a remote area. Access to grocery stores and other amenities may be limited. Field vehicles will be available for work; employees may bring their personal vehicles if desired.

Non-fieldwork duties may include artificial roost construction, equipment organization, data entry, and other duties.

Requirements:
Must have rabies pre-exposure vaccination and recent titer check, or be willing to obtain vaccination before fieldwork commences. Must have valid drivers license. Ability to accept all responsibility of the job and assigned tasks. Ability to accept change and new information. Ability to maintain focus and intensity, and remain optimistic and persistent even under adversity. Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships. Ability to work independently at field locations despite occasional adverse field conditions. Ability to work full time for the entire summer field season (May 15-August 15).

Please indicate your availability in 2007 in email or cover letter.
Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelors Degree in related field is preferred. Experiance with mist nets and/or radio telemetry equipment preferred. YOU MUST have rabies pre-exposure shot series or be willing to obtain them, this is a month long process.
Salary: Fieldwork pay starts at $90/night with a $28/day per deim
Last Date to apply: April 1, 2007
Website: http://www.batmanagement.com
Contact: John Chenger
E-mail: jchenger@batmanagement.com(Preferred)
Phone: 814-442-4246