The Wetlands Institute, located in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, is seeking qualified applicants for a seasonal Research Assistant position to assist with long-term study of Diamondback Terrapins. Primary responsibilities include assisting with mark-recapture surveys for Diamondback Terrapins, assisting with a cellular GPS telemetry study on Diamondback Terrapins, conducting surveys of terrapin nesting areas and roadways, maintaining road mitigation fencing, and tracking Eastern Box Turtles using radio telemetry.
This is a temporary, hourly position (approx. 40 hrs/week) that will include regular early morning, weekend, and holiday hours. The regular responsibilities of this position will require frequent work in adverse field conditions (heat, humidity, exposure to thorns, poison ivy) for sometimes long periods; handling live, injured, and dead turtles; conducting necropsies; assisting with animal husbandry; and participating in community-based outreach programs. The Research Assistant will be responsible for recording detailed observations and data in the field, data entry and management, maintenance of equipment, as well as assisting with other surveys and tasks as assigned. The position will require walking long distances in dense vegetation, wading in marsh creeks, carrying equipment (<30 lbs), boat travel, and the use of hand tools such as mallets and shovels. Training will be provided.
Applicants should have previous experience following protocols and collecting detailed data, and must be able to work outdoors in field conditions as described. Preferred applicants will have experience with radio telemetry and mark-recapture techniques such as shell notching or PIT tagging. Experience with data entry and mapping/GIS is required. Applicants should be able to work effectively alone and in small groups.
The position is approximately five months, April – August, with some flexibility for start and end dates. Candidates should be available for the duration of the position. Salary is dependent on experience. Housing is not provided, and Research Assistants must live within daily commuting distance. A valid driver’s license and personal transportation are required. Reimbursement for most project-related travel will be provided. The final candidate will be subject to a background check.
Please send 1) cover letter detailing interest, qualifications, and availability 2) CV, and 3) names and contact information for 3 professional references to Brian Williamson, bwilliamson@wetlandsinstitute.org. Please include “Turtle Research Assistant” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as received and should be submitted no later than March 15, 2024; the position may be filled prior to the closing date by a qualified candidate.
The Wetlands Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.