This opportunity is brought to you by Emilie Seavey ’18!
The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is seeking to hire two full-time temporary student contractors to assist with the North American Breeding Bird Survey program, a long-term, continental avian monitoring program. Tasks will include working with wildlife survey data, processing incoming data forms, performance of quality assurance and quality control procedures on biological data, data entry, assisting with database management, photocopying and filing, preparation of maps and assisting in preparation of administrative correspondence.
Application deadline is February 25.
Types of services required: During the summer field season, approximately 3100 BBS routes are sampled by participants skilled in avian identification. These data are then processed and analyzed by USGS to inform avian conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada. Tasks will include processing incoming data and materials, performing data entry and quality control procedures using web-based technologies, tracking progress, assisting with database management, photocopying, scanning and filing materials, map preparation, and corresponding with participants.
Required skills:
- Applicants are required to have completed two years of undergraduate course work (student must be at least a second semester sophomore).
- Must be majoring in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related discipline.
- Must have knowledge of computer software used to summarize and organize data.
Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for a student contract position, applicants must be either a currently enrolled student or a recent graduate. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service). Foreign students in the U.S. under F-1 visas are usually not able to participate in this program, due to USCIS restrictions against off-campus work.
Compensation: The student contractor will be paid $17.09 per hour. (Estimated number of hours for the position is 544. There is a possibility of additional part-time hours continuing into the fall semester.) Student contractors are paid only for hours worked (no holiday or leave benefits). Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Official travel away from the duty station is not expected.
Approximate dates are May 28-August 23, 2019. There is flexibility in start and end dates to accommodate variations in academic calendars.
Send resume and cover letter to Keith Pardieck via email. Applications must be received on or before February 25, 2019. In your cover letter include an explanation of how you meet the eligibility requirements, your expected graduation date, and discuss your experience as related to required services and skills listed above.