Environmental Resources Management is hiring in Houston

Several Impact Assessment and Planning (IAP) positions are open in the Houston office as well as others offices around the U.S. The positions are Consultant Level 1. Anyone who might be interested should contact Michael Bell at Michael.bell@erm.com or go to the website http://www.erm.com/de/careers/ for more details and information about who ERM is and what they do. 

Citizen science opportunity!

 Our research team is requesting assistance from Coastal Bend birdwatchers for a citizen science project. Birdwatchers can help us determine differences in bird use between mangrove and marsh habitats. Find out more about the project and how to help here: http://www.tamug.edu/armitage/CitizenScience.html

Thanks from the Coastal Wetland teams at Texas A&M University at Galveston and the University of Houston!

WETLAND SCIENTIST/WILDLIFE ECOLOGIST with Bio-West

WETLAND SCIENTIST/WILDLIFE ECOLOGIST

Description

BIO-WEST, Inc., environmental consultants seek full-time scientist or ecologist. This position requires producing standard wetland documentation and permits and wildlife reports, conducting baseline studies and surveys, leading field teams, participating as a team member, and working autonomously according to project needs. Must be able to travel and perform in extreme weather conditions and difficult terrain while meeting project time and budget constraints.

Submit letter of application, resume, and three professional references to wetlandjob@bio-west.com. No phone calls please.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate must be able to identify flora, fauna, and soils of the south and southwest, assess habitats for wetland and wildlife values, understand and comply with environmental regulations (e.g., NEPA, ESA, CWA), and assist team members and clients with the environmental permitting process. Skills must include written and oral communication, GPS, boat, and ATV experience, data collection, construction monitoring/inspection, and technical writing. Requires 2+ years of experience with: wetland investigations, delineations, and permitting; contributing to biological/environmental documents (e.g., EIS, BA), coordinating with state and federal agencies (e.g., USACE, USFWS); and acting as project manager/lead. Must be familiar with the MS-Office Suite and able to interact professionally with clients. Job requires a BS degree (minimum) in relevant field, demonstrated proficiency with the 1987 Corps Wetland Delineation Manual and its Supplements, and ability to obtain scientific collection permits as needed.

Resumes due: April 25, 2014

Start date: May 12, 2014

Internship with the Student Conservation Association and the Audubon Society - Galveston area

Position Description

Applicants should have a strong interest in coastal ecosystems, waterbird ecology and wildlife management. Interns will work directly under the Coastal Program Manager and the majority of work will be directly related to management/surveys of Audubon’s coastal rookeries.

The intern will assist with:

o   Rookery surveys and monitoring via boat mainly in the West Bay area, but occasionally at other locations on Galveston Bay or beyond. Accommodations will be provided if an overnight trip is required.

o   Management of Audubon owned or leased islands: fire ant control, vegetation work, predator management, construction of nesting platforms, volunteer workdays, etc.

o   Prep work/ compiling of data for the Texas Colonial Waterbird survey database

o   GIS work documenting management activities and waterbird population trends

o   Occasional work with local partners and their projects Audubon assists with

o   Office work entering data or related tasks

Interns will gain experience in all aspects of colonial waterbird management, boat safety and operation and wildlife research. Previous experience not required- this is an entry level position designed to offer beginners the skills and knowledge to successfully enter the wildlife field. Applicants must be able to work in challenging field conditions- cold and damp in early spring and hot, humid temperatures in the summer in areas prone to mosquitos and rattlesnakes; be able to lift 40 pounds; be able to work independently. Housing is not available.  Applicants must have a reliable mode of transportation to get to the Texas City office for work.

Additional duties:

• Available to help with field work, putting out public informational signs, assessing remote sites, weekly surveys from boat

• Assist with office work- data entry, statistical analysis, GIS mapping and analysis

• Help create the annual TCWS report: compile statistics, map previous year's data, gather information on waterbird population trends

• Assist with creation/ updates for the Audubon Island Atlas- a record of all Audubon owned or leased sites in Texas

• Assist with educational workshops and presentations

• Help coordinate with public and private entities to gain access to waterbird colonies for annual surveys

A successful intern will be given the option of continuing into the next period if they desire.

Service Location Description

Our office is located in Texas City, TX. Intern will be working in both an office setting and in the field with boats and on islands in the bay.

US citizenship required?

Yes

Training Opportunities

Intern will be trained and become proficient in GIS techniques and analysis, Microsoft Access, motorboat operation, boat safety and statistical analysis.

    

Educational/Recreational Opportunities

Galveston Island is appox. 30 minutes to the south and offers a variety of educational and recreational opportunities. Houston lies about 40 minutes to the north and offers a wealth of museums, concerts, shows, athletic events and many more opportunities.

To apply, contact:

Alvi Seda

Recruiting Coordinator for Diversity Initiatives

aseda@thesca.org

240-863-1825

Freshwater Ecology Field Technician/Intern in Clear Lake

TITLE: Freshwater Ecology Field Technician/Intern

CLASSIFICATION: Temporary/Seasonal Position

AGENCY: Environmental Institute of Houston

WEBSITE: http://www.eih.uhcl.edu

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a National Rivers and Streams Assessment to assess the condition of the nation’s flowing waters.  The Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake has been contracted to sample 64 sites across Texas.

We are currently recruiting two to four positions to assist with field sampling from May 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014; flexible dates depending upon school schedule.  All work is conducted in wadeable and boatable rivers and streams across the state.  Applicants will assist in all forms of data collection including physical habitat surveys, water quality assessment and biological collections.

Ideal candidates will have previous field experience and be willing to work in a variety of challenging physical conditions.  This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable field experience in all aspects of physical and biological stream assessment.  At each site, we assess physical habitat, measure stream flow, collect water samples, sample aquatic invertebrates and periphyton, quantify fish assemblage and collect fish tissue samples.

LOCATION:

Houston, TX – Statewide travel

SALARY:

$1,260/month (full-time)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants should be pursuing or possess a Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, fisheries ecology, biology, environmental science or closely related field.  A strong interest in stream ecology and aquatic resource management is desired.  Previous field work experience is a plus but not required.  Applicants must be willing to travel sites located statewide.

Required

·       Travel up to 10 days at a time

·       Work long hours (10+) in the field in adverse conditions

·       Be in good physical condition and able to lift 50 lbs

·       Ability to traverse steep and rough terrain

·       Ability to learn new skills and techniques quickly and apply those skills efficiently

·       Comfortable working from a boat, canoe or kayak

·       Must possess a positive attitude, be self-motivated and willing to work independently and as a member of a team

Preferred

·       Previous scientific data collection

·       Experience conducting physical habitat surveys, water quality collection and measuring flow in stream systems

·       Aquatic invertebrate collection and preservation

·       Fish sampling techniques including boat and backpack electrofishing and seining

·       Texas freshwater fish ID skills

***Housing not provided***

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume with three references to Jenny Oakley

START DATE:

May 1, 2014

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

April 1, 2014

CONTACT PERSON:

Jenny Oakley

PHONE:

281-283-3950

EMAIL:

oakley@uhcl.edu

Summer REU internships - start thinking about it now!

This post is written by astronomy grad students, but much of the advice applies to biology students as well.

Latest publication from our lab

"The Interactive Effects of Pulsed Grazing Disturbance and Patch Size Vary among Wetland Arthropod Guilds" by A.R. Armitage, C.-K. Ho, and A. Quigg was just published in PLOS ONE. The full article can be viewed here.