Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
PO Box 277
Winter Harbor, ME 04693

Position Description: Ecology Field Technicians

Dates: see below

Reports to: Schoodic Institute science staff (Nick Fisichelli, Hannah Webber, Seth Benz)

We are looking to fill 3 temporary, full-time Field Technician positions as follows:

Forest Ecology Technician (May 20 – October 25, 2019)
General Ecology Technician (June 3 – November 1, 2019)
Citizen Science Technician (June 3 – November 8, 2019)

Application Deadline: February 22, 2019

About Schoodic Institute: Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Schoodic Institute is advancing ecosystem science and learning for all ages through its unique partnership with Acadia National Park. The Institute’s goal is to be a national leader for research that inspires environmental stewardship. From its Acadia National Park campus, the Institute engages scientists, educators, students, and the public in research and learning. Schoodic Institute builds understanding and appreciation for science and the natural world and contributes to addressing complex challenges in a changing environment.

Primary Responsibilities:
All Field Technicians perform field observation and sample collection, handling, and processing; assist with Schoodic Institute programs and Earthwatch expeditions; and track and maintain equipment. Field Technicians are responsible for data management and initial syntheses of collected data.

The Field Technicians are mentored by Schoodic Institute staff. Once trained, the Field Technicians may lead intern and volunteer field crews.

These are full time (40 hours/week) seasonal positions. Daily and weekly work schedules may fluctuate. Work days can be up to twelve hours long. In some instances, such as intertidal work during low tide work days may be split with morning and evening work. At times work will begin at dawn and go through dusk. The work week may include weekends.

Qualified applicants need to be able to work in challenging outdoor conditions, learn on the go, work in small teams, and develop efficient field data collection techniques.

Location

The Field Technician’s primary work location is on the Schoodic Peninsula near Winter Harbor, ME; field work may occur throughout Acadia National Park and surrounding locations. Residence is required on the Schoodic Institute campus (on the Schoodic Peninsula), where housing in a shared apartment will be provided by Schoodic Institute.

Duties:

  • Must follow established, standardized field procedures for land-based and intertidal monitoring.
  • Monitoring activities include the following observation activities:
    • Select bird, plant, insect, and intertidal organism abundance and behavior
    • Breeding bird population counts
  • Operate and maintain monitoring equipm
  • Perform plot establishment by locating plots with GPS navigation system, measuring and marking plots
  • Perform inspection and maintenance of laboratory and field equipment.
  • Record activities and completed work according to Field Operations protocol.
  • Perform field assignments in a variety of conditions (e.g., weather, terrain, diverse habitats).
  • Carry, move and lift supplies (pack weighing up to 40 lbs.) to field sites (through, over, and in remote and uneven terrain).
  • Must follow safety and field operations policy and procedures.
  • Other duties for Schoodic Institute as may be assigned

Forest Ecology Technician:

Technician will primarily work on forest research projects, including identifying, tagging, and measuring over story and understory trees and ground-layer vegetation. Additional duties and projects include monitoring of planted seedlings and seeds within a climate adaptation experiment, plant phenology monitoring, citizen science and Earthwatch projects, data entry and management, and temperature logger
data collection and management.

General Ecology Technician:

Technician will work on all aspects of a wide variety of projects including intertidal research, bird surveys, citizen science with Earthwatch, and forest sampling. Duties include preparing for fieldwork and collecting field data, data entry and management, and sensor deployment and management.

Citizen Science Technician:

Technician will work with science staff and Earthwatch volunteers. Technician will lead groups of Earthwatch volunteers in safe and scientifically rigorous field data collection on upland and intertidal biodiversity research.

Qualifications and Job Requirements:

  • High School diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite (e.g., Excel, Word) and Google Sheets.
  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
  • High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong work ethic and enthusiasm.
  • Ability to perform in strenuous outdoor activity, carry field equipment and endure different outdoor field conditions including cold and wet weather and extreme heat.
  • Current and valid State issued driver’s license with insurable Department of Motor Vehicle record (parking violations, minor driving offenses excluded) as determined by Acadia National Park.
  • Ability to travel/hike/walk on uneven terrain to work site.
  • Ability and willingness to work varied field operations schedules (up to 12+ hours per day), including split-shift, part-time, pre-dawn early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Preferred Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in an associated scientific discipline (ecology, forestry, zoology or related field).
  • Experience conducting ecology related lab or field work.
  • Experience backcountry hiking and navigating (maps, compass, and GPS).
  • Experience leading field sampling or monitoring activities, hikes, or assisting conservation stewards with seasonal nature observations.
  • Experience in leading volunteers on field sampling or monitoring activities or observation hikes.
  • Must have permanent authorization for US employment
  • Housing in a shared apartment will be provided on the Schoodic Institute campus within Acadia National Park. Schoodic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply

Send cover letter and resume to search@schoodicinstitute.org. In the email subject line, please indicate the position to which you are applying using the following format (you may apply for more than one position):

Subject line: Field Technician Forest Ecology

Subject line: Field Technician General Ecology

Subject line: Field Technician Citizen Science

Application Deadline: February 22, 2019