*Position Title: Watercraft Inspector *Position Description: Beaver Creek Reserve's Citizen Science Center is seeking enthusiastic interns interested in assisting with aquatic invasive species prevention, education, and research for the 2013 summer season. The main duties of a Watercraft Inspector are to increase awareness of aquatic invasive species by sharing information about aquatic invasive species regulations, laws, and prevention steps with boaters, anglers, and other visitors at boat landings and to help these individuals check their watercraft and equipment for aquatic plants and animals before they enter the water. During these checks, inspectors collect valuable data on boater behaviors and knowledge and regularly report the data in the online database.
Background: Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have the potential to negatively affect our ecosystems, economy, and recreational opportunities, and in some parts of our state, lakes and those who care about them are already experiencing these effects. With over 15,000 lakes and 5.3 million acres of wetlands, Wisconsin waters are an extremely valuable natural resource. As a Watercraft Inspection Intern, you will aid the state’s invasive species prevention efforts by conducting watercraft inspections and monitoring in a specified Department of Natural Resources (DNR) region, thereby playing an important role in preserving Wisconsin’s water bodies for future generations. Primary Responsibilities: - Successfully complete a Clean Boats, Clean Waters training session. - Disseminate information to boat landing visitors and the general public on AIS and what can be done to prevent their spread. - Conduct watercraft inspections, record data, and report the data in an online database. - Survey landings for necessary DNR aquatic invasives signs and work with local lake groups to maintain stock of AIS publications at landing kiosks (if present). - Meet regularly with supervisor to discuss and review inspection schedule. - Coordinate efforts with other local watercraft inspectors and AIS Coordinators and communicate with regional and statewide inspectors. Secondary Responsibilities: - Attend fishing tournaments, sailing regattas, boat shows, fishing expos, local lake fairs and other events to educate citizens on prevention steps and how to properly clean boats, trailers, and equipment. - Successfully complete a Citizen Lake Monitoring Network training session. - Conduct shoreline and lake surveys for presence/absence of Eurasian water-milfoil and other AIS. - Assist with miscellaneous projects and activities. Required Qualifications: - Be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license and private vehicle. - Be able and willing to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, including Memorial Day and July 4th, to match peak use of public boat landings. - Be willing and able to approach, engage, and educate diverse citizens at boat landings, fishing tournaments, meetings, and other events to encourage a change in behavior and instill a sense of personal responsibility to prevent spread of AIS. - Have good verbal and written communication skills to communicate with a variety of audiences, including boaters, the media, and various user groups. - Be able and willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions. - Be able to successfully operate a canoe. - Be well-organized, self-motivated, able to multi-task, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. - Be able to accurately record data, be proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, email, and be comfortable entering data into databases. Preferred Qualifications: - Have a good working knowledge of aquatic ecology, of the impacts that aquatic invasive species can have on lakes, streams and wetlands, and of the ways to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species. - Be skilled at identification of aquatic plants and animals and be able to work with experts in the state and region. - Natural Resources, Education, or related class and/or work experience preferred. Duration/Hours: Positions will start approximately in the end of May and continue through August. Four positions are available at 40 hours per week. Weekly schedule is somewhat flexible, but 60% of hours are required to be worked in early morning, evening, holidays, and on three out of every four weekends. Positions require travel throughout Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, and St. Croix Counties in West Central Wisconsin. Most mileage will be reimbursed. Two additional positions are available at 16 hrs per week (Saturdays and Sundays on Lake Wissota and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on Long Lake) in Chippewa County. The Wissota position may be paired with other Beaver Creek job opportunities to create a full time position. Rustic housing is possibly available at Beaver Creek Reserve (TBD). Hourly rate of pay: $11.00 for 40 hours per week positions, $10.00 for 16 hours per week positions.* Position Title: Weevil rearing technician* - ¼ time position (will be combined with other part-time positions to equal closer to full time) Hourly rate of pay: $11.00 per hour up to 10 hours per week Position Description: Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center is offering a fantastic opportunity to take part in the groundbreaking stage of their new biocontrol rearing program. The Citizen Science Center is seeking independent, responsible, and dependable applicants interested in controlling Eurasian water milfoil by rearing native weevils (Euhrychiopsis lecontei) for biocontrol. The main duties of the Aquatic Invasive Species Assistant are to set-up a weevil rearing facility, rear weevils, work affectively with local lake groups, provide education to the public, and successfully release weevils into Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) infested locations on Perch Lake in St. Croix County. Background: Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have the potential to negatively affect our ecosystems, economy, and recreational opportunities. Once commonly sold as an aquarium plant, Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is now listed as a restricted species in the Chapter NR 40, Wisconsin's Invasive Species Identification, Classification and Control Rule. Because it is widely distributed and difficult to control, EWM is considered to be extremely problematic in Wisconsin. The introduction of EWM can drastically alter a water body's ecology. Milfoil forms dense mats of vegetation on the surface of the water. These mats interfere with recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, water skiing, and boating. Many lakes in the west central region of Wisconsin are experiencing trouble with EWM. As chemical control is often not a suitable option for lake associations, many groups are turning towards biocontrol. Beaver Creek Reserve Citizen Science Center plans to become a local biocontrol rearing facility to provide lake groups with the insect predators they need to help control aquatic invasive species in their lakes. Primary Responsibilities: - Set-up of weevil rearing facility - Schedule and plan workdays - Recruit and coordinate all volunteers - Monitor weevil rearing tanks on average four times a week, monitoring may increase due to weather, and may include weekends - Release weevils into EWM infested areas of Lake Wissota - Meet regularly with supervisor to discuss and review project progress - Coordinate efforts with lake groups and AIS Coordinators Secondary Responsibilities: - Conduct weevil surveys via kayak/canoe - Conduct point-intercept surveys for EWM on Lake Wissota - Produce education materials about weevil rearing/bio-control - Attend fishing tournaments, local lake fairs, and other events to educate citizens on AIS prevention steps, weevil rearing and the use of bio-control - Assist with miscellaneous projects and activities Required Qualifications: - Be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license and private vehicle - It is extremely important that applicant be responsible, well-organized, self-motivated, can multi-task and able to work both independently and as part of a team - Willing to work a variable schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays - Have excellent verbal and written skills to communicate with a variety of audiences, including the public, lake associations, and the media - Willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions - Be able to successfully operate a canoe/kayak - Be able to accurately record data, be proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, email, and enter data into databases - Comfortable communicating with and working with large groups of volunteers Preferred Qualifications: - Have a good working knowledge of aquatic ecology, the impacts of aquatic invasive species, and ways to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species - Be skilled at identification of aquatic plants and animals - Course work/degree in Natural Resources, Ecology, or Wildlife and/or work experience in such fields Duration/Hours: Position will start mid May and end approximately mid August. One ¼ position is available at 10 hours per week. Weekly schedule is somewhat flexible, but may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Position will be based out of the Citizen Science Center at Beaver Creek Reserve located 4 miles north of Fall Creek. Position requires some travel to Eau Claire and local lakes, this mileage will be reimbursed. This position can be combined with our part-time time Lake Wissota Watercraft Inspector position. Please note in your application that you are applying for both positions. * * *To Apply for any of these positions and Deadline: Please send a cover letter and resume to: Beaver Creek Reserve, c/o Anna Mares, S1 County Highway K, Fall Creek, WI 54742. Please list your county/position of employment preference in the cover letter. Electronic versions can be e-mailed to Anna Mares at a...@beavercreekreserve.org. All applications must be post marked by the 15th of March, 2013. Screening of applicants will begin immediately thereafter and interviews will be scheduled for the 25th, 26th, and 27th of March. * -- Anna Mares AIS Coordinator Citizen Science Center, Beaver Creek Reserve S1 Cnty Hwy K Fall Creek, WI 54742 1-715-877-2212 ext. 118 *Raise money for Beaver Creek Reserve just by searching the Internet or shopping online with GoodSearch! www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo! Type "Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve"in the "Add your charity here" box.* * * *[image: facebook f] Find us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaver-Creek-Reserve/156424851053473> * * * *P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail* **
