Research Assistant

RC-25-55_RESEARCH_ASSOCIATE_I_RCUOG_USGS_BTS_PROJECT.pdf

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Ecology, or related field from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent;
• Must have a valid Driver’s License;
• Must have a valid passport;
• Must be able to pass background checks required for access to government computers and military facilities;

Character of Duties:

Biologists hired under this announcement will be part of the Brown Treesnake Project under the direction of U.S. Geological Survey scientists. Members of the project conduct high-quality research on biology, control, and containment of the brown treesnake. Offices and labs are at the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian Point, Yigo, Guam. Fieldwork is conducted primarily on northern Guam including on military lands but some fieldwork takes place elsewhere on Guam and on Cocos Island. Project leaders are based at Guam National Wildlife Refuge and at the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center. Under the guidance and mentorship of other team members duties will include:

• Conducting surveys for brown treesnakes and other species;
• Setting and checking traps and other control tools;
• Conducting capture, animal measurements, humane euthanasia, and necropsy of brown treesnakes and other species;
• Supporting the implementation of ecological experiments on various vertebrate species in the lab and in the field;
• Extensive error-free data collection, data entry, data proofing;
• Animal husbandry duties for reptiles, birds, rodents, and other animals;
• Maintenance of field sites, lab spaces, equipment, and experimental arenas;
• Providing feedback on standard operating procedure documents and other documents;
• Participating in team meetings, trainings, outreach events, and other activities;
• Other duties as assigned;

Incumbents will be trained as members of the Brown Treesnake Rapid Response Team and may be required to travel to other Pacific islands on short notice to participate in rapid responses to snake sightings.

Field conditions can be challenging, including extended periods of fieldwork in hot, humid, and/or rainy conditions; traveling over steep/rocky terrain while carrying equipment, exposure to biting/stinging insects, and handling snakes, rodents, and other animals that may bite. Safety is our highest priority and unsafe behaviors will not be tolerated. Split shifts (such as work in morning, no work in the afternoon, then work at night), working the morning after working at night, and weekend work are common. Biologists hired under this announcement may be required to camp on remote islands. Thus, experience camping and working in remote locations is desirable.