Box Turtle Field Technician (Hampden County)

Essential Job Functions 

The seasonal Box Turtle Field Technician assists with targeted inventory, research, and management programs to conserve the regionally rare eastern box turtle  (Terrapene c. carolina, Endangered in NH and Special Concern in MA) and assists with outreach to landowners and volunteers. Field Technicians assist ZNE Field Biologists and other staff with ZNE’s local rare species conservation projects. The Box Turtle Field Technician will specifically assist with Eastern box turtle surveys in Hampden County, Massachusetts including visual surveys, radiotracking, and nest surveys. The Box Turtle Field Technician may also be asked to participate in surveys for other species of conservation concern in the area of the box turtle field sites, possibly including eastern hognose snakes, eastern whip-poor-wills, and Blanding’s turtles. The technician will also keep careful notes, regularly input field data into online databases, and assist with data analysis and map generation. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

Conducts standardized biological surveys of animals and plants for ZNE’s field conservation management and research projects 

Collects accurate and complete data and assists other Field Conservation Department staff with initial reporting and analysis 

Meets weekly with Field Conservation Department staff to discuss and plan field activities 

Hours, Location and Term of Appointment 

Hours: Usually 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday, except during June nesting season when hours will shift to 2:00pm-10:00pm, 5 days weekly, including some weekends. 
Location: Our Conservation Department office is in Acton, MA, but the technician will primarily work at field sites in Hampden County, Massachusetts 

Term: 20 weeks, scheduled April 13 - August 31 (start and end dates may be slightly negotiable with supervisor). 
Wage: $20.00/hour 

Working Conditions 

Frequent exposure and close contact with a variety of animals including reptiles,

amphibians, fish and insects, and other potentially injurious wildlife, as well as exposure to ticks, mosquitos, and other biting arthropods. 

Frequent field work in difficult natural conditions, including long walks off trail in dense brush.

Frequent exposure to varying and challenging weather conditions (e.g.heat, rain, snow, ice), and

allergens. 

Frequent need to bend, stoop, kneel,reachand lift. 

Minimum Job Requirements 

At least two years post-secondary education, pursuing a degree in biology, ecology or related fields. 

Able to work nights and weekends during the month of June. 

Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to lawfully drive in Massachusetts and transport field materials and equipment in personal vehicle. 

Must have no criminal history, convictions, in relation to animal-related issues, child welfare. 

Preferred Job Requirements 

One season applied field research experience, especially with box turtles or other herpetofauna. 

Prior experience with radiotelemetry. 

Ability to identify common native plants of New England.