Paid Stream and Wildlife Internship
| Job Type |
Paid Internship |
| Salary Details |
$12/hour |
| Deadline |
Apr 30, 2022 |
| Required Experience |
0 - 1 years |
We are looking to hire two technicians to work on a Master’s student research project which involves studying the potential impacts of beaver dam building patterns on hydrology at a tallgrass prairie preserve in Illinois. This position involves wading through streams, collecting water samples, installing and maintaining wildlife camera traps, and point-counting stumps. Other possible responsibilities include processing field samples in a lab, and organizing pictures. This is a great opportunity for early career scientists to gain fieldwork experience while working in restored and remnant tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Successful applicants will be employed through Northern Illinois University (NIU). NIU is an AA/EEO institution and is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Moreover, safety of technicians is a primary goal of this research project. Successful applicants and project leaders will establish a working document on field safety procedures (including compliance with relevant Covid-19 regulations) and avenues for reporting workplace misconduct.
Position dates: May 30th – July 29th (slightly flexible if necessary)
Salary: $12/hour 30 hours per week (total of 9 weeks)
Survey site: Nachusa Grasslands (near Lost Nation, IL)
Work schedule: 4 days per week, Monday-Thursday. Work will begin at 0800 and last on site until 1300 (not including travel). The overall plan is to collect field data in the morning, then process collections in DeKalb in the afternoon.
Housing: Housing is not provided through this position. Hired technicians are encouraged to find summer housing in DeKalb, IL to allow for car-pooling to field sites (at no additional cost). Technicians are responsible for securing transportation to field sites if housing is secured in a location outside of DeKalb, IL. Primitive camping is available at the field site during the work week. There is a potential to live in housing at field site. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Required qualifications:
- ability to take notes and fill out data sheets;
- working towards a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology, natural resources management, or a related field;
- ability to hike through rough terrain while carrying up to 35 pounds of equipment;
- ability to effectively communicate and work with fellow technicians and project leaders;
- ability to work in adverse field conditions (early morning hours; hot, humid conditions; biting flies; wild bison; etc.);
- compliance with appropriate safety protocols