Summer 2011 Student Contract Positions 2 Biological Technicians

Summary:
The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is seeking
to hire two full-time temporary student contractors to assist with the
North American Breeding Bird Survey program (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS), a
long-term, continental avian monitoring program. Tasks will include
working with wildlife survey data, performance of quality assurance and
quality control procedures on biological data, data entry, assisting with
database management, photocopying and filing, preparation of maps and
assisting in preparation of administrative correspondence.

Application deadline:
Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter by
February 18, 2011.

Statement of Work
1. Types of services required: During the spring field season,
approximately 3000 BBS routes are sampled by participants skilled in avian
identification. These data are then processed and analyzed by USGS to
inform avian conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada. Tasks will
include processing incoming data and materials, performing data entry and
quality control procedures using web-based and Teleform OCR technologies,
tracking progress, assisting with database management, photocopying,
scanning and filing materials, map preparation, and corresponding with
participants.

2. Required expertise/skills:
a. Applicants are required to have completed two years of undergraduate
course work (student must be at least a second semester sophomore).
b. Applicants must be majors in Biology, Wildlife Management,
Environmental Science, or similar field.
c. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English both
verbally and in writing.
d. Applicants must have knowledge of computer software used to summarize
and visualize data (i.e. Excel and Access), with an interest in learning
more.
e. Knowledge of the distributions and natural histories of North American
birds is not required, but considered a plus.

3. Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for a student contract
position, applicants must be either a currently enrolled student or a
recent graduate. To qualify as a student, the applicant must be enrolled
at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or
university. Former students who graduated more than 12 months ago or who
left school without graduating are not eligible to work under these
contracts. Applicants will be required to show proof of their student
status (or recent graduation). USGS employees, their spouses, and children
are not eligible to participate in this program. U.S. citizens are
eligible. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on
their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly Immigration and
Naturalization Service). Foreign students in the U.S. under F-1 visas are
usually not able to participate in this program, due to USCIS restrictions
on off-campus work.

4. Description of working conditions: Work will be performed in an office
environment located on the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center campus
in Laurel, Maryland. Extended periods of computer use will be required.
This is not a field or laboratory position.
5. Compensation: The student contractor will be paid $13.98 per hour.
Student contractors are paid only for hours worked (no holiday or leave
benefits). Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and
from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide
housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal
duty station. Travel away from the duty station is not expected.

6. Principal Duty Station: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100
Beech Forest Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038. Student contractors may
enter the building only during business hours or when project manager is
present.

7. Additional information: Number of students required is one. Estimated
number of hours for the position is 544 (full-time for summer). There is a
possibility of additional part-time hours continuing into the fall
semester. The approximate start date is May 23, 2010. The approximate end
date is August 26, 2010. There is flexibility in start and end dates to
accommodate variations in academic calendars.

8. How to apply: Send resume and cover letter to Keith Pardieck via email
(kpardieck@usgs.gov). Applications must be received on or before February
18, 2011. In your cover letter include an explanation of how you meet the
eligibility requirements, your expected graduation date, and discuss your
experience as related to sections 1 and 2 above.