Bat Field Technician

Summary: BRI’s Mammal Program is looking for qualified applicants to assist with mist netting, telemetry, and acoustic monitoring of bats. The successful applicant will gain experience with North American bat identification, tracking with radio telemetry, and the use of passive acoustic equipment (e.g., Songmeter 2 Bat Detector). 2 – 4 positions are available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collect and record bat morphometric data;
• Conduct bat emergence counts of day roosts and maternity colonies;
• Assist with acoustic surveys;
• Perform habitat descriptions adjacent to mist-netting sites;
• Care and maintenance of bat capture equipment (following USFWS protocols);
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director and Project Manager

Work Schedule/Hours/Location: This is a full-time, seasonal position (mid-May through mid-August). Mist-netting will be conducted from May 15 to August 15, 2014, with mobilization and demobilization time on either end of the season. Field work is primarily conducted at night, with telemetry and emergence counts being conducted as needed. Job sites are located in PA, WV, OH, and NY, but may be extended into Southern and Midwestern states.

Qualifications: Enrollment in or completion of a B.A. or B.S. degree in wildlife biology, wildlife management, biology, zoology, ecology or a related discipline. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including MS Word, Excel, and Access is needed for data entry. A valid driver’s license is required. Previous field experience with small mammals preferred but not required. Preference will be given to individuals with radio telemetry experience.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have prior wildlife research experience;
• Must have extensive and specific expertise relating to their area of study;
• Need to be well organized, take accurate notes, label and store all samples in accordance with BRI protocol;
• Must be proficient in MS Office, especially Word, Excel and Access;
• Need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must be a team player, with a positive attitude, who is able to cope well with typical job related stress, and interact with all BRI staff in a friendly and helpful manner.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Physical Demands: Applicants should be in good physical shape and be able to carry 40+ pounds across uneven terrain for long distances. Ability to conduct field work at night and in varying weather conditions (rain, humidity) is required.

Work Environment: Field sites may include PA, WV, OH, and NY, but may also extend into Southern and Midwestern states. Field work may often require long hours working in small groups. The ability to work well with others is essential as is a strong work ethic and a good sense of humor. Shared housing will be provided will in the field. A per diem allowance is provided for food. Transportation is provided once at the job site(s) but field assistances may be asked to provide their own transportation to the job site.

Other: Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is required or needed if you do not have vaccine. If already vaccinated, a rabies titer must be provided. Drug screening may be required.

Compensation: Commensurate with education and experience.

To apply: Please submit a letter of interest and CV by mail to: David Yates, Biodiversity Research Institute, 652 Main St. Gorham, ME 04038 or electronically to dave.yates@briloon.org by April 4, 2014.

*Note: In the event of changes to a project scope or schedule beyond our control, staff may be re-assigned, and are required to be flexible and willing to change assignments as circumstances may dictate. The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee and are subject to change.

Biodiversity Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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