Jobs

Position Summary

Each WHSRN Delaware Bay Social Research Assistant will work with the WHSRN Community Engagement Coordinator to support the Celebrate Delaware Bay initiative in the evaluation of different techniques to educate and engage beach visitors. The mission of Celebrate Delaware Bay is to build an inclusive community – that will protect Delaware Bay, its natural resources, and the essential habitat it provides for shorebirds and horseshoe crabs through education and direct action. Working with a network of organizations, communities, and individuals throughout the Delaware Bay region, Celebrate Delaware Bay is collaborating with partners on the implementation of conservation action projects that will have a measurable impact on shorebirds and horseshoe crabs.

Delaware Bay Social Research Assistants will have the opportunity to improve their social research skills related to natural resource management as they assist with an evaluation of engagement interventions that are be conducted in New Jersey on Delaware Bay. The goal of the interventions is to educate and empower beach visitors to reduce disturbance of migrating shorebirds and to take action to support shorebirds and horseshoe crab conservation. The evaluation will be conducted on the impact of one intervention, youth signs, on beach visitors, and how these signs change each visitor’s knowledge, opinions, and behavior. The Social Research Assistants will conduct observational surveys of the interaction between beach visitors and the signs. Social Research Assistants will also conduct interviews of beach visitors after they have interacted with the signs.

As time allows, the Social Research Assistants will also be responsible for conducting various outreach activities on behalf of Celebrate Delaware Bay, including tabling events, flyer distribution, and community letter distribution.

Social Research Assistants will report to the Community Engagement Coordinator. The positions are temporary, hourly ($14/hour, not benefits-eligible), part-time from April 25, 2018 through June 15, 2018. Weekend work will be required, but work schedule is negotiable. Depending on schedules, 3-4 Social Research Assistants will be hired.

Launched in 1985, WHSRN works to conserve shorebirds and their habitats through a network of key sites across the Americas. The WHSRN Executive Office implements program strategies and supports site partners under the direction of the WHSRN Hemispheric Council. The Network aligns with the simple strategy that key habitats throughout the Americas must be protected in order to sustain healthy populations of shorebirds. Delaware Bay was the first site to join the Network in 1986. To date, WHSRN site partners are conserving more than 36.9 million acres (nearly 14.9 million hectares) of shorebird habitat at 101 sites in 15 countries.

About Manomet

At Manomet we believe people can live and work today in ways that will enable our world to thrive and prosper. As scientists we understand we must take action to sustain our world. Manomet is a leader in the path to sustainability—and we’re working with people in four critical systems to effect real change.

We focus our work on the parts of the system where we can have measurable impact and opportunity for scale:

1. Natural System—Recovering shorebird populations and wetlands and connecting people to nature.
2. Forest System—Preparing managed forests and coastal watersheds for climate change.
3. Food System—Creating a more efficient food system.

Economic System—Enhancing economic viability and reducing environmental footprints.

By applying science and engaging people, Manomet provides practical ways to act—where people live and work. As Manomet approaches its sixth decade, we have achieved a great deal; yet there is still much work ahead. We are forging a pathway for our generation and those to come.

Manomet has about 40 scientists and support staff working from the north slope of Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina. Manomet offers an entrepreneurial atmosphere of dedicated professionals who support each other in a common vision of creating a more sustainable world. Our headquarters are located in Plymouth, MA and we also have offices in Maine, Vermont, Delaware, Chile, and Paraguay.

You can change the world. Come join us!

Responsibilities

The Social Research Assistants will:

1. Conduct observational surveys of the interaction between beach visitors and the youth signs.
2. Conduct interviews of beach visitors after they have interacted with the youth signs.
3. Compile data from observational surveys and interviews.
4. Conduct outreach activities if time allows. Activities may include tabling events, flyer distribution, and community letter distribution.

Requirements

1. Demonstrated ability to work independently.
2. Bachelor’s degree or working towards a Bachelor’s degree in communication, biology, natural resource management, sociology or other relevant field.
3. Excellent communication skills including written, verbal, and public speaking.
4. Access to regular use of a personal vehicle, computer, and mobile phone. Travel within New Jersey’s Delaware Bayshore is required. Mileage reimbursement will be available at the federal rate.
5. Availability on weekends.
6. Ability to work outside in variable weather conditions.

Other desirable qualifications

• Experience with social research related to natural resource management.
• An understanding of the natural history of shorebirds, horseshoe crabs, and/or the Delaware Bay.

How to Apply

Please email your resume and cover letter as attachments to jobs@manomet.org. Please reference the ‘Social Research Assistant’ in the subject line. Job announcement open until filled.

Position Summary

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife seeks to fund survey efforts targeting the state-listed Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) as part of an ongoing study of regional population distributions and local population structures. Experienced field biologists are needed to lead or assist surveys in northeastern Massachusetts. The majority of work will consist of intensive trapping surveys at a research site in Hamilton during the salamander breeding-migration season. Thereafter, work will consist of egg-mass surveys at sites elsewhere in Essex and/or Middlesex counties. Minimum duties at the Hamilton site will consist of sampling adult Blue-spotted Salamanders via funnel-trapping, taking standard measurements and photos of captured individuals, and collecting tissue samples following a strict protocol. Egg-mass surveys will be conducted among various sites as remaining time allows, and as prioritized by the NHESP. Work will occur between late February and mid-May, depending on regional climate and local breeding phenology of Blue-spotted Salamanders. The successful applicant(s) will work in close consultation with the NHESP to plan and implement surveys to achieve project objectives. The successful applicant(s) will be expected to have reliable transportation, pay close attention to detail, have the ability to work independently in adverse weather conditions, and to meet the physical demands of rigorous field work (see last bullet in Preferred Qualifications).

locations

1. Hamilton, Massachusetts
2. Various sites in Essex and/or Middlesex counties, Massachusetts

positions available

Up to two (one leader, one assistant)

funding available

Leader: $4,800–$6,000 (hourly rate of $30.00/hr. for 160–200 hrs.)
Assistant: $800–$1,600 (hourly rate of $20.00/hr. for 40–80 hrs.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting aquatic funnel-trapping surveys and egg-mass surveys for Blue-spotted Salamander and other pool-breeding amphibians.
• Demonstrated experience capturing Blue-spotted Salamanders and observing their eggs.
• Thorough understanding of Blue-spotted Salamander movement behavior as it relates to timing and duration of breeding migrations, and to weather conditions.
• Experience conducting biological field work under adverse weather conditions (cold, wind, rain).
• Experience collecting tissue samples (toe clips) from Ambystomatid salamanders.
• Flexible schedule, as it relates to accommodating the timing, duration, and frequency of survey work necessitated by local weather conditions and related salamander activity; generally available to work between late February and mid-May, and available to work intensively during a 3-week period once salamander migrations commence.
• Able to provide own camera, GPS unit, field notebook, weatherproof footwear/apparel (e.g., waders), and transportation.
• Comfortable working alone in the woods; experienced/comfortable with leading and supervising a small team of paid and/or volunteer assistants.
• Physically capable of carrying a 25- to 40-lb. stack of funnel traps while traversing through the woods on foot, hiking up to half a mile through dense underbrush, and wading through mucky and/or densely vegetated wetlands with submerged (and often hidden) woody debris.

Special Conditions & Other Information

• Services of the successful applicant(s) will be retained through the NHESP’s contractual relationship with the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences.
• The successful applicant(s) will need to obtain a Scientific Collection Permit from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife prior to commencement of work.
• The NHESP will provide funnel traps, data forms, a written protocol for processing salamanders and collecting/storing tissue samples, equipment for measuring salamanders (scale, calipers), and equipment for collecting/preserving tissue samples (scissors, vials, ethanol, labels).

How to Apply

Please submit an application consisting of (1) a cover letter that directly addresses the preferred qualifications listed above, (2) a resume/CV, and (3) contact information for 3 references. [Note: references are not required if the applicant has worked on the NHESP Blue-spotted Salamander project within the past 4 years.] Applications should be sent in either hard-copy or electronic format to: Karen M. Dolan, Finance & Projects Administrator, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 or karen.dolan@mass.gov. Preference will be given to applications received prior to January 14, 2019; final application deadline is January 31, 2019.

For questions regarding application submission, please contact Karen at (508) 389-6349 or karen.dolan@mass.gov.

For information about specific aspects of the project, please contact Jacob E. Kubel, Conservation Scientist, at (508) 389-6373 or jacob.kubel@mass.gov.

Position Summary

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife seeks to fund survey efforts targeting the state-listed Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) as part of an ongoing study of regional population distributions. Experienced field biologists are needed to lead surveys in southeastern Massachusetts (Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties). Work will occur during the salamander breeding-migration season, implementing trapping surveys primarily and nocturnal visual surveys and/or cover-object surveys secondarily. Minimum duties will consist of sampling adult Blue-spotted Salamanders via funnel-trapping and taking standard measurements and photos of captured individuals. Sites to be surveyed will be prioritized by the NHESP. Work will occur between late February and late April, depending on regional climate and local breeding phenology of Blue-spotted Salamanders. The successful applicant(s) will work in close consultation with the NHESP to plan and implement surveys to achieve preferred survey effort at each site over a desired sampling period. The successful applicant(s) will be expected to have reliable transportation, pay close attention to detail, have the ability to work independently in adverse weather conditions, and to meet the physical demands of rigorous field work (see last bullet in Preferred Qualifications).

locations

Various sites in Plymouth County, northern Bristol County, southern Norfolk County

positions available

Up to three

funding available

$1,000–$2,000 (hourly rate of $25.00/hr. for 40–80 hrs.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting aquatic funnel-trapping surveys for Blue-spotted Salamander and other pool-breeding amphibians.
• Demonstrated experience capturing Blue-spotted Salamanders.
• Thorough understanding of Blue-spotted Salamander movement behavior as it relates to timing and duration of breeding migrations, and to weather conditions.
• Experience conducting nocturnal visual surveys for Blue-spotted Salamander.
• Experience conducting cover-object surveys for Blue-spotted Salamander and other salamander species.
• Experience conducting biological field work under adverse weather conditions (cold, wind, rain).
• Flexible schedule, as it relates to accommodating the timing, duration, and frequency of survey work necessitated by local weather conditions and related salamander activity; generally available to work between late February and late April, and available to work intensively during a 3-week period once salamander migrations commence.
• Able to provide own camera, GPS unit, field notebook, weatherproof footwear/apparel (e.g., waders), and transportation.
• Comfortable working alone in the woods.
• Physically capable of carrying a 20- to 30-lb. pack of equipment while traversing through the woods on foot, hiking up to half a mile through dense underbrush, and wading through mucky and/or densely vegetated wetlands with submerged (and often hidden) woody debris.

Special Conditions & Other Information

• Services of the successful applicant(s) will be retained through the NHESP’s contractual relationship with the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences.
• The successful applicant(s) will need to obtain a Scientific Collection Permit from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife prior to commencement of work.
• The NHESP will provide traps, data forms, and equipment for measuring salamanders (scale, calipers).

How to Apply

Please submit an application consisting of (1) a cover letter that directly addresses the preferred qualifications listed above, (2) a resume/CV, and (3) contact information for 3 references. [Note: references are not required if the applicant has worked on the NHESP Blue-spotted Salamander project within the past 4 years.] Applications should be sent in either hard-copy or electronic format to: Karen M. Dolan, Finance & Projects Administrator, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 or karen.dolan@mass.gov. Preference will be given to applications received prior to January 14, 2019; final application deadline is January 31, 2019.

For questions regarding application submission, please contact Karen at (508) 389-6349 or karen.dolan@mass.gov.

For information about specific aspects of the project, please contact Jacob E. Kubel, Conservation Scientist, at (508) 389-6373 or jacob.kubel@mass.gov.