Research Assistant 3 (Rubega Lab)
About The Position
Great Gull Island (GGI), NY, is the breeding site for 35% of the federally endangered Roseate Terns (~2,300 pairs) breeding the northwest Atlantic population, and the second largest colony (~11,000 pairs) of Common Tern on the east coast of North America. The Rubega Lab in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department has a grant to enhance nesting habitat for terns on GGI and create a biosecurity plan to protect the colony from predatory mammals, disease, and invasive plant species. The Program Manager (Research Assistant 3) will supervise all aspects of this project.
Requirements
- M.S. degree in wildlife ecology, biology, or a related field, AND a minimum of 2 years of experience.
- Demonstrated experience supervising staff.
- Experience supervising and scheduling field crews and volunteers in a remote setting.
- Experience working on a remote seabird colony.
- Experience with the logistics of operating a field camp.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated experience working in a large seabird colony at a remote location.
- Experience operating a tractor and other heavy equipment.
- Experience with invasive plant species and their control.
- First aid skills.
- Experience using off-grid solar systems and maintaining housing and infrastructure during the field season.
- Experience in maintaining staff morale in a remote location.
- Experience with developing and/or enacting a biosecurity plan.
- Experience leading habitat restoration projects.
Responsibilities
- Organizing and managing the logistics of a nesting habitat restoration project for Common and Roseate Terns breeding on Great Gull Island.
- Implementing a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for all projects related to this habitat restoration project.
- Ordering and supervising the transportation of supplies to the island.
- Coordinating with the herbicide contractor and crew for twice-yearly application of herbicides to control invasive plant species on the island.
- Coordinating and supervising volunteers conducting habitat enhancement on the island, including planting native plant plugs, installing nest boxes, and spreading pea gravel to enhance habitat over existing concrete structures.
- Coordinating the removal of marine debris from the island.
- Coordinating boat trips to Great Gull Island for contractors and crew members.
- Supervising volunteer work crews on the island.
- Supervising a staff of up to 3 habitat restoration technicians.
- Writing annual reports summarizing habitat restoration efforts.
- Enacting a biosecurity plan to protect terns nesting on the island from predatory mammals, disease, and new invasive plants.
Benefits
- The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment.
- For additional information regarding benefits, please visit https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/ and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
