Field Assistants for wetland invertebrate assessment project

Summary - The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is seeking to hire two reliable individuals to assist in sampling invertebrates in wetlands in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Prior experience is a plus, but all necessary training will be provided by the Project Leader. This position is full-time for 5 weeks, beginning April 26, 2010 and ending May 31, 2010. Applicants must be available for the entire 5 week period. Approximately 80% of the time will be spent in the field, especially from May 3rd onwards. Field work will involve non-standard work weeks, long days, and some overnight travel. The Field Assistants will work under the direction of the Project Leader to acquire and organize supplies and equipment, prepare and calibrate equipment for field use, help conduct field sampling of invertebrates, and perform water quality testing at 50 wetlands in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Location - The Xerces Society offices are located in Portland, OR. Field work will be conducted in wetlands throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley, primarily in the regions around Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene.

Working conditions/physical effort - Some overnight travel will be required during field season. The Field Assistant may have to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

Required knowledge and skills - • Extremely dependable, punctual, and with great attention to detail • Able to work in the field under potentially adverse weather conditions for long hours with grace and good humor • Able to lift and carry 40 pounds while hiking into and out of sites • Proven ability to work cooperatively as part of a team • Current drivers license and good driving record • Organized and self-motivated • Outgoing

Additional desirable qualifications - • Prior field experience is a plus; however, the individuals hired for this position will be trained in all necessary techniques • Interest in entomology and/or biodiversity conservation • A good sense of humor

Terms - The Xerces Society is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workforce diversity. This is 5-week, temporary position working as a full-time Xerces Society employee.

Salary - $2,700 for the 5-week term; Xerces Society will cover the costs of any overnight stays, travel, and meals required during field season.

Additional information - With funding from the U.S. EPA, The Xerces Society is working in conjunction with the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and Division of State Lands to develop a framework for Oregon wetland monitoring and assessment. Xerces is developing an invertebrate-based tool to asses the biological condition of Pacific Northwest wetlands. Our ultimate goal is to use aspects of invertebrate community composition to assess wetland quality, evaluate wetland restoration success, and detect responses to human-induced stressors. For more information about this project, visit http://www.xerces.org/wetland-invertebrate-biomonitoring/.

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. We educate the public and decision makers about the importance of invertebrates and work to protect habitat for these critical animals. For three decades, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate conservation. For more information on the Xerces Society, visit our website at www.xerces.org.

Application - No phone inquiries, please. Anyone interested in this position should email a cover letter, résumé, and names and contact information for three references. Please combine all documents into a single attachment in MS Word or Adobe PDF and e-mail with “Wetlands Field Assistant” in the subject line to:

Suzanne Granahan suzanne@xerces.org The Xerces Society 4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97215

Deadline: Friday March 12, 2010