Positions available: approximately 10 wildlife research internships.

Background: The USGS and University of Montana are leading a large, cooperative effort to evaluate the ability of noninvasive genetic sampling to estimate the population growth rate of a grizzly bear population in northwestern Montana.  The project is conducting repeated surveys of bear rubs to collect hair samples for genotyping and mark-recapture analysis.

Study area: The approximately 34,000 km2 study area is extremely diverse, ranging from remote, mountainous areas, to managed timber and agricultural lands, to native prairies.  Land ownership and management are equally diverse, with national park, national and state forests, Native American reservations, corporate timber, non-government organizations, and private lands included.

Responsibilities: Duties include surveying trails, forest roads, power lines and fences to collect hair from bear rubs in a portion of the study area.  Most of the positions will involve backcountry hiking and camping, however, some crews will be assigned to front-country locations that offer limited hiking or camping, and may require use of ATVs.  Interns will be assigned to work with an experienced Biological Science Technician.  Although most bear rubs were established in 2009, crews will continue searching for new sampling opportunities throughout the season.  As part of a non-invasive project, crews will be collecting hair from designated sampling sites and will not be involved with wildlife immobilization and handling, nor are observations of bears in the field guaranteed.  

Interns are needed from early June through October, but shorter assignments are possible.  We strive for 9 hour work days, following a 9 days on, 5 days off schedule.  However, longer days may occur to accomplish objectives.  We plan to offer a stipend of approximately $300 per month and will assist in locating housing for interns, but housing is not guaranteed.

Desired qualifications: 1) ability to work safely in remote field locations under potentially extreme conditions, including inclement weather, biting insects, river and snowfield crossings, and rugged terrain with a 40+ pound backpack, 2) ability to follow scientific protocols, 3) willingness to be flexible and maintain a positive attitude despite challenging conditions, 4) valid driver’s license, and 5) ability to communicate with the public and be a good representative of the project and our partners.

Benefits to interns: Interns will gain experience in the following: 1) working on large-scale, multi-year, multi-agency research on a threatened species that uses cutting-edge molecular genetic and statistical methods, 2) developing valuable skills including data acquisition, logistics, data management, back-country navigation, GPS use, hiking and camping in bear country, leave-no-trace ethics, and GIS/database management, and 3) living and working in northwestern Montana with its limitless opportunities to explore the surrounding wildlands and observe wildlife.

To apply, send the following to beardnajobs@usgs.gov: 1) a cover letter detailing your interests in this project and specifying available dates, 2) a 1-2 page resume with relevant work and personal experiences, and 3) contact information for 3 references.

For more project information visit: http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/NGSbear_monitoring.htm <http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/NGSbear_monitoring.htm>

If you still have questions, please send them to beardnajobs@usgs.gov.

Jeff Stetz
USGS Glacier Field Station
West Glacier, MT  59936
http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/staff/jstetz <http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/staff/jstetz