USGS

Crew Leaders – mid-March through end of August. Technicians – early April through early August

Missouri River in North and South Dakota

Must have at least 2 yrs of a college education.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Expertise: Applicants must have at least 2 years college education, US Citizenship, and a valid driver’s license. BA/BS desirable for technician positions, mandatory for crew leaders. Students in good standing enrolled in a degree program or a recent (< 1 year) graduate (undergraduate or graduate) are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants will be rated based on skills, abilities, and experience collecting field biological data, with emphasis in the following areas: • Biology of least terns and/or piping plovers, including experience with related or biologically similar species. • Conducting nest searches and collecting nest fate data on terns, plovers, or other birds (especially shorebirds). • Capture, handling, banding, and behavioral observation of birds. • Null-peak radiotelemetry, use of LOAS or similar software, use of ArcGIS and GPS units. • Fish sampling in flowing waters and knowledge of fish taxonomy. • Operation of 4x4 vehicles, personal watercraft, and outboard motorboats up to 75hp.

Start/End date: Crew Leaders – mid-March through end of August. Technicians – early April though early August. Some flexibility possible for vegetation sampling crews. Nest monitoring crews MUST start work in April. Working Environment Conditions: Work will be conducted under unforgiving field conditions, with significant travel potentially necessary. Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain and conditions on foot and by boat. Extended hours and work during nights and weekends may be necessary, especially early in the field season. Some office work required to maintain field records and conduct data entry. Extreme weather conditions, including rain, wind, and cold/hot temperatures will occur. Principal Duty Station: Yankton, SD or vicinity of Bismarck to Riverdale, ND. Initial training at Jamestown, ND prior to field deployment. Compensation: Technicians (GS-5 level equivalent Student Services Contract), Crew Leaders (GS-6/7 level equivalent Student Services Contract); Field housing opportunities will be facilitated.

Temporary

Applications must include resume (MUST include date of
birth, and month & year of graduation from educational institutions), copy of academic transcript(s), dates of availability, and
names and contact information for 3 references. Prefer electroni

Applications may also be mailed to: Missouri River Tern & Plover Positions, c/o Jennifer Stucker, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401

Project Description: The project is a comprehensive evaluation of emergent sandbar habitat on the Missouri River, focusing on
productivity and foraging ecology of least terns, evaluating nest productivity monitoring procedures for least terns and piping
plovers, and measuring habitat variables on sandbars used by nesting terns & plovers.
Work Description: Technicians will be assigned to a crew with principal responsibility in 1 of 3 focal areas:
• Conducting nest searches, monitoring nest fate, and counting adult & fledgling terns & plovers.
• Evaluating use of foraging habitat by least terns through radiotelemetry, behavioral observations, band resighting, and
conducting fish sampling.
• Collecting vegetation, substrate, water quality, and other habitat variables on emergent sandbars used by nesting terns
& plovers and in tern foraging areas.
Crews assigned to different duties will be co-located, providing opportunity for experience in multiple task areas.

Applications accepted now for technicians and crew leader level until positions are filled, but no l