Contracting Opportunity: Four-toed Salamander Surveys

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is seeking to fund survey efforts targeting the formerly state-listed Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) throughout western Massachusetts during Spring 2013.  The main project objective is to determine possible presence and distribution of the species in relatively under-surveyed areas, with a strong focus on tracts of protected open space.  Data collected during this project will help increase knowledge of habitat use in the region and bolster our current understanding of the conservation status of the species.

Duties will consist of conducting field surveys at preselected wetland habitats that may support Four-toed Salamanders.  Specifically, surveys will consist of time-constrained searches for (a) presence of preferred nesting microhabitat within each wetland and (b) Four-toed Salamanders and/or their nests within such microhabitat.  Surveys will commence during late April or early May and be completed by early to mid-June.  Geographic timing of surveys will be coordinated with local climate patterns, such that wetlands in the Connecticut River Valley are visited earlier in the survey period and wetlands in the Berkshires are visited later in the survey period.  The general study area consists of all Massachusetts towns located west of the Connecticut River, subdivided into 4 regional sectors.  However, study sites will be limited to forested areas of protected open space (e.g., state forests, state parks, wildlife management areas, other conservation lands).   Approximately 200 wetlands (50 per regional sector) will be selected for surveys.

Each successful applicant will be assigned to 2 of the 4 regional sectors and, therefore, be responsible for surveying approximately 100 of the preselected wetlands (survey time at each wetland ~30-60 min).  At each wetland surveyed, the successful applicants will be expected to generate GPS coordinates, take photos of the wetland and of any Four-toed Salamanders and/or their nests encountered, and record basic data pertaining to wetland habitat conditions (hydrology and dominant vegetation), availability of suitable nesting habitat, and numbers of salamanders and nests observed.  The successful applicants will assimilate those products into a final report package consisting of a signed attestation statement, an electronic spreadsheet containing the survey data, and a compilation of survey photos (to be due September 2013).

Number of Positions Available:  2

Total Payment per Position:  $4,400.00 (includes field work, mileage/travel, and report preparation).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the nesting ecology of Four-toed Salamander.
• Demonstrated experience surveying for and encountering nests of Four-toed Salamander.
• Skilled in identification of Massachusetts trees and wetland shrubs.
• Skilled in use of a map, compass, and/or GPS device to navigate to predetermined wetland loci within remote, hilly tracts of forest.
• Able to provide own equipment (vehicle, boots/waders, GPS unit, camera, notebook, compass).
• Comfortable working alone in remote, wooded areas and wading through wetlands with mucky bottoms and/or dense shrub cover.
• Available to work during late April through mid-June.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Physically fit.   

Services of the successful applicant will be retained through the Natural Heritage Program’s contractual relationship with the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences.

To apply, please provide the following information:

1.  Cover letter detailing/addressing preferred qualifications and dates of availability
2.  Resume/CV
3.  Contact information for 3 references

Please submit application materials to: Karen M. Dolan, Finance & Projects Administrator, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.  For application questions,karen.dolan@state.ma.us.  Application deadline is April 1, 2013.

For more information, contact Jacob Kubel at (508) 389-6373;jacob.kubel@state.ma.us.