Herpetology Field Research Positions Available

The National Park Service and Wildlife Conservation Society have a cooperative agreement to inventory amphibians and reptiles at ten national park sites in the Northeast during Y2000–Y2002. The broad goals are to inventory and record > 90% of the herpetofauna currently estimated to occur at each site, determine the status of species of management concern (endangered, threatened, special concern & other declining species) and identify critical habitat, and provide a basis for development of a long-term monitoring program.

Y2000 work took place at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (northeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey), Weir Farm National Historic Site (Connecticut), and Morristown NHS (New Jersey). Y2001 work took place at Acadia National Park (Maine), Delaware Water Gap NRA, Minuteman NHS (Massachusetts), Saugus Iron Works (Massachusetts), Saint-Gaudens NHS (New Hampshire), and Saratoga NHS (New York). The Y2001 fieldwork has been completed and we shall be continuing our National Park Service survey work next year (Y2002) in New York at Fire Island National Seashore, Sagamore Hill NHS, the William Floyd Estate, and Gateway National Recreation Area (New York & New Jersey). We shall begin recruiting in November 2001 for the March–September 2002 field season. We expect to field three two-man teams.

Research techniques used to inventory amphibian and reptile species include trapping (using minnow, crab, and hoop traps), drift fence arrays, coverboard arrays, frog call counts, egg mass surveys, time constrained surveys, and incidental encounters.

Position Description:

• Herpetology Field Technicians (6 positions: 3 teams of 2 each)
• Fire Island National Seashore, Sagamore Hill NHS, & William Floyd Estate (2 positions)
• Gateway NRA — New York: Jamaica Bay (2 positions)
• Gateway NRA — Sandy Hook, NJ, and Staten Island, NY (2 positions)

Responsibilities: Implementation of the work plan, rigorous data collection, data entry, and assistance in the preparation of the final report. Assist Team Leader as required.

Requirements: Applicants should have a degree in biological sciences, demonstrated herpetological knowledge, and be familiar with amphibian and reptile survey methodology. Must have leadership and teamwork skills, be able to work independently, and contend with long, hard hours in inclement weather. Clean driver's license and experience driving 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Job Duration: 15 March–30 September 2002

Stipend: $400/week, plus housing. One week paid vacation in July; month of July off.

Housing: Housing will be provided in National Park Service employee housing, located at Fire Island, NY, Jamaica Bay, NY, or Sandy Hook, NJ.

Application should include a resume and cover letter stating specific interests and flexibility. Also include names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three references familiar with the applicant's educational and field experience. NPS and WCS are Equal Opportunity Employers.

John L. Behler
NPS/WCS Cooperative Agreement
c/o Department of Herpetology
Wildlife Conservation Society
Bronx, New York 10460-1099

Materials sent electronically should be directed to Jbehler@wcs.org and cc’d to David Brotherton (dkb4112@yahoo.com), NPS/WCS Crew Chief.