Wyoming Toad Field Technician Position
Background: The Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is a critically endangered
species that is endemic to the Laramie Basin. The species was abundant in
the 1950’s and 1960’s but began declining in the 1970’s until the last known
individuals were brought into captivity in the 1990’s to establish a captive
breeding program. Individuals from the captive breeding program have been
reintroduced into the wild but breeding populations have not been
reestablished.
Location: Position is based out of Laramie, Wyoming and the main field site
is Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 15 miles
southwest of Laramie. Additional water quality survey sites are located
throughout the Laramie Basin.
Description: One field technician is needed to assist with research on the
factors limiting survival and reestablishment of the Wyoming toad. The
technician will assist with building and installing mesh tadpole enclosures
at the field site prior to tadpole arrival. Primary duties will include
daily feeding and monitoring of Wyoming toad tadpoles and metamorphs held in
field enclosures. Technician will also be responsible for assisting with
photographing, staging (gosner stage), and measuring tadpoles and metamorphs
as well as swabbing metamorphs for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) which
causes chytrid fungus in amphibians. Additional duties include but are not
limited to: data entry in Microsoft Access, insect sampling, plant
identification, water quality monitoring, and analysis of water samples and
skin swabs using PCR to detect Bd and E coli. Field technician will gain
valuable experience using a variety of field methods while contributing to
recovery of a critically endangered amphibian.
Qualifications: Qualified applicants will have the willingness and ability
to work extremely long hours and be very flexible with their schedule as it
is highly dependent on the needs of tadpoles and metamorphs. Applicant must
also have the ability to endure harsh field conditions, pay extreme
attention to detail, and meet high standards of animal care. Priority will
be given to students currently enrolled in an ecology, wildlife biology, or
rangeland management program with past field experience. However, more
important is an interest in the research to be conducted, a strong work
ethic, and the ability to assist with meticulous data collection for
recovery of an endangered species. Qualified applicants will also have a
valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Compensation: Field technician will be paid ~$360 per week (depending on
experience) and provided with a field vehicle.
Duration: mid-May thru late-August (with the possibility to start earlier)
To Apply: Send a letter of interest, résumé, and contact information (name,
email, and phone number) for three references to Julie Polasik at
[email protected]. Application deadline is March 25, 2013. Applications will
be reviewed as they are submitted until a suitable candidate is found.
Background: The Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is a critically endangered
species that is endemic to the Laramie Basin. The species was abundant in
the 1950’s and 1960’s but began declining in the 1970’s until the last known
individuals were brought into captivity in the 1990’s to establish a captive
breeding program. Individuals from the captive breeding program have been
reintroduced into the wild but breeding populations have not been
reestablished.
Location: Position is based out of Laramie, Wyoming and the main field site
is Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 15 miles
southwest of Laramie. Additional water quality survey sites are located
throughout the Laramie Basin.
Description: One field technician is needed to assist with research on the
factors limiting survival and reestablishment of the Wyoming toad. The
technician will assist with building and installing mesh tadpole enclosures
at the field site prior to tadpole arrival. Primary duties will include
daily feeding and monitoring of Wyoming toad tadpoles and metamorphs held in
field enclosures. Technician will also be responsible for assisting with
photographing, staging (gosner stage), and measuring tadpoles and metamorphs
as well as swabbing metamorphs for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) which
causes chytrid fungus in amphibians. Additional duties include but are not
limited to: data entry in Microsoft Access, insect sampling, plant
identification, water quality monitoring, and analysis of water samples and
skin swabs using PCR to detect Bd and E coli. Field technician will gain
valuable experience using a variety of field methods while contributing to
recovery of a critically endangered amphibian.
Qualifications: Qualified applicants will have the willingness and ability
to work extremely long hours and be very flexible with their schedule as it
is highly dependent on the needs of tadpoles and metamorphs. Applicant must
also have the ability to endure harsh field conditions, pay extreme
attention to detail, and meet high standards of animal care. Priority will
be given to students currently enrolled in an ecology, wildlife biology, or
rangeland management program with past field experience. However, more
important is an interest in the research to be conducted, a strong work
ethic, and the ability to assist with meticulous data collection for
recovery of an endangered species. Qualified applicants will also have a
valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Compensation: Field technician will be paid ~$360 per week (depending on
experience) and provided with a field vehicle.
Duration: mid-May thru late-August (with the possibility to start earlier)
To Apply: Send a letter of interest, résumé, and contact information (name,
email, and phone number) for three references to Julie Polasik at
[email protected]. Application deadline is March 25, 2013. Applications will
be reviewed as they are submitted until a suitable candidate is found.
