Wyoming Toad Field Technician Positions Background: The Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri) is a critically endangered species that is endemic to the Laramie Basin. The species was historically abundant throughout its range but began declining in the 1970s until the last known individuals were brought into captivity in the 1990s to establish a captive breeding program. Individuals from the captive breeding program have been reintroduced into the wild but self-sustaining populations have not yet been established.
Location: Position is based out of Laramie, Wyoming and the field site is at Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 15 miles southwest of Laramie. Description: Two field technicians are needed to assist with research on factors limiting survival and reestablishment of the Wyoming toad. Duties of technicians include (but are not limited to): Building and installing mesh tadpole and toad enclosures Daily feeding and monitoring of tadpoles and metamorphs held in field enclosures Photographing and measuring tadpoles and metamorphs Marking metamorphs with visual implant elastomers (VIE) Swabbing metamorphs for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) which causes chytrid fungus in amphibians Rangeland plant identification and monitoring Data entry in Microsoft Access Field technicians 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 the animals. Applicants 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 applicants that have a B.S. degree or are 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 drivers license with a clean driving record. Compensation: Field technicians will be paid $400-440 per week (depending on experience) and provided with a shared field vehicle. Duration: mid-May thru mid to late-August (start and end dates are somewhat flexible) To Apply: Send a letter of interest, résumé or CV, and contact information (name, email, and phone number) for three references in a single Word or PDF document to Julie Polasik at jpola...@uwyo.edu. Priority will be given to applications received by April 13th, 2014. Additional Information: This research is being conducted through the Murphy Lab at the University of Wyoming: https://sites.google.com/site/murphylabuwyo in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
