Seasonal Hourly

State of Maryland • Allegany, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife & Heritage Service in Frostburg, Maryland, is currently accepting applications for a Seasonal Contractual position (Small Mammal Field Technician). The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife & Heritage Service in Annapolis, Maryland, seeks a highly motivated individual to assist with researching, monitoring, and conducting biological inventories of rare, threatened, and endangered small mammals, including bats, and their associated habitats primarily in the Western Region. The primary function of the position is to assist with the collection and organization of field data using standardized data collection procedures and equipment which includes (1) identification of appropriate habitat for target species, (2) deployment of camera traps targeting Allegheny woodrats and a suite of rare small mammals, (3) deployment of other traps targeting small mammals (i.e. hair snares, Sherman traps, pit fall traps), (4) deployment of ultrasonic acoustic recorders in forested and rock talus settings for rare bats, (5) trapping and handling bats (mist nets and harp traps), (6) collecting data with GPS and GIS mapping applications, (7) collecting detailed habitat information, and (8) troubleshooting equipment, managing files, and formatting data. Most of the work will occur on public land, but some work may involve engaging with private landowners and interacting with the public. Most work will be during the day, but may require long days (>10 hours), early evening and nocturnal surveys, occasional weekend work, and possibly some overnight travel. While there will be some indoor work (i.e. data management, field planning), the majority of this position will be outside in western Maryland. Work will be conducted in a variety of habitats under varying weather conditions and will at times involve strenuous physical exertion over difficult terrain as well as exposure to biting insects and poisonous plants (e.g., poison ivy).

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Two years of experience performing technical biological field work in the fields of wildlife biology, botany, forestry, ecology, or a related field.
• Candidates may substitute a combination of education and experience in entomology, biology, botany, forestry, ecology, or a related field on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. Thirty credit hours are considered equivalent to one year of experience.
• Persons in this position may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile or other motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess the appropriate operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to identify and safely handle small mammals of western Maryland, including bats (i.e. current rabies titer).
• The ability to lift and carry 40 lbs. for several miles over difficult terrain.
• Ability to identify common herbaceous and woody plant species and habitats of western Maryland. Additional plant identification skills, including rare species.
• Experience with ESRI products (i.e. ArcGIS, Field Maps, Survey123), Microsoft Excel, GPS units, and management of biological datasets.
• Ability to perform heavy physical work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain areas (i.e., forests, talus slopes, rock outcrops, dense rhododendron).
• A strong work ethic, the ability to work well both independently and in small teams in remote, rugged areas with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Identification of appropriate habitat for target species
• Deployment of camera traps targeting Allegheny woodrats and a suite of rare small mammals
• Deployment of other traps targeting small mammals (i.e. hair snares, Sherman traps, pit fall traps)
• Deployment of ultrasonic acoustic recorders in forested and rock talus settings for rare bats
• Trapping and handling bats (mist nets and harp traps)
• Collecting data with GPS and GIS mapping applications
• Collecting detailed habitat information
• Troubleshooting equipment, managing files, and formatting data

Benefits

• Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.
• As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits.
• You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
• Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees