Research Technician II (Amphibian Survey Team Lead) (Extended Temporary)

This position will involve repeated overnight travel, camping in remote areas, working and hiking in hot, rugged field conditions carrying packs up to and exceeding 40 lbs, and operating a 4x4 vehicle. Applicant must have at least four months of previous experience in conducting surveys for amphibians in southeast Arizona, must have attended the Chiricahua leopard frog workshop training offered by Arizona Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and must possess necessary state and federal permits.

This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead survey team that will survey wetland habitats for native and non-native amphibians using standardized survey methods. This will include daytime and nightime area-constrained visual encounter surveys combined with dip net or seine. Technicians will record all observations of native and non-native amphibians on standardized data sheets as well as additional survey data (e.g., start/end times, weather conditions, vegetation levels) and be responsible for ensuring that other crew members completely record these data accurately. All survey sites have been preselected; no site selection work will be required.
• Lead survey team that will implement bullfrog control methods by removing bullfrogs seen during surveys. Removal methods will include hand-capture, capture with a net, or lethal removal using firearms. All surveyors will receive the U.S. Geological Survey's Specimen Collection with Firearms safety training course.
• Collect genetic and disease samples from native and non-native amphibians. Genetic samples will include toe-clips from adult frogs or tail-clips from tadpoles which will be placed in individual 95% ethanol tubes. Disease samples will involve using prepackaged swabs to swab the external surfaces of amphibians and then place swabs in individual 95% ethanol tubes.
• Drive and navigate to survey sites within preselected work areas using 4wd vehicles on unmaintained roads. Navigate unmarked cross-country routes on foot to survey sites.
• Must provide own camping gear.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
• Ability to reliably identify all native and nonnative amphibians in southeast Arizona under field conditions, including nighttime conditions.
• Ability to survey for native and non-native amphibians using standardized methods and record data on standardized data sheets.
• Ability to implement bullfrog control methods.
• Knowledge of field conditions of southeast Arizona (e.g., extreme heat, thunderstorms, thick vegetation, etc.)

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• This position will involve repeated overnight travel, camping in remote areas, working and hiking in hot, rugged field conditions carrying packs up to and exceeding 40 lbs., and operating a 4x4 vehicle.

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Undergraduate degree in wildlife resources, biology, or related field.
  
• At least four months of experience conducting field surveys for wildlife.