The Houston Zoo Amphibian Conservation Keeper position will work within the Department of Conservation and Science. This position is a supporting role with the Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) program and the successful candidate will work on the upkeep, maintenance, husbandry and head starting of the Houston Toad. This is an opportunity to assist with the conservation of one of the most endangered amphibians in the United States.
Responsibilities
·Maintenance of invertebrate feeder cultures including domestic crickets, fruit flies, springtails, and woodlice; and
·Cleaning and feeding Houston Toad enclosures and keeper areas,
·Maintains clean and organized exhibits, equipment, and keeper areas,
·Maintains effective communication with the veterinary staff,
·Observes and evaluates animal condition, behavior and responses and communicates observations orally and on written reports,
·Performs other duties as requested.
Industry:
Position Type:
Part Time Temporary
Position Reports To:
Amphibian Conservation Program Manager and the Director of Conservation
Travel Required:
0% of the time (approximate)
Starts On:
12-Apr-10
Job Requirements
Experience
Knowledge
·Understanding of the life cycle of common feeder invertebrates,
·General understanding of amphibian biology,
·Ability to perform simple arithmetic and mentally keep track of numbers and individuals.
Experience Experience with common feeder invertebrate cultures in captivity
Schedule This is a part time position that runs from April 2010 to August 2010. Exact start and finish dates are negotiable. Work hours are equivalent to 18-20 hours per week. Scheduling of work shifts is dependant upon the needs of the program.
Skills
Work Environment The position involves some moderate physical exertion, such as the use of ladders, lifting equipment, etc. on a frequent basis and assuming awkward positions. The working area gets exposed to considerable heat and moisture.
Physical Skill Requires the ability to make closely coordinated hand/eye movements within very fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make rapid closely coordinated hand/eye movements on a patterned response space within somewhat fine tolerance demands; or the ability to make coordinated hand/eye movements within fine tolerances with large equipment as an extension of the worker.
Public Contact
Public contact and potential interaction with other organizations, requiring interpersonal skill and a high degree of customer service, as well as exceptional written communication skills.
Artist Boat currently seeks a motivated, creative, and self-starting student with an environmental science or art background to deliver Eco-Art Workshops and Adventures to the communities of the Houston/Galveston region.
The eight-week internship runs from June 1-July 23, includes a generous stipend and housing, and will provide one undergraduate student with a unique experience in Eco-Art education!
Interested in getting some experience with a local non-profit? The Galveston Bay Foundation has a summer internship program for undergraduate students. The position will introduce the candidate to a variety of aspects of the Galveston Bay Foundation. Specifically, the internship will work in fields of advocacy, conservation land management and marsh restoration, marketing and membership coordination, volunteer coordination and community outreach, education, event planning, and general administrative duties. Click here for more information.
A recent publication from the wetlands lab was highlighted in the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation newsletter (see summary here). This publication spotlights articles with a strong implication for management of coastal areas.
Dr. Steve Pennings has openings for two field assistants to work with his group this summer on community ecology projects with salt marsh crabs and insects. For more information about his research, see http://www.bchs.uh.edu/~steve/. Work will involve vigorous activity outdoors in hot, muddy, buggy conditions. Projects will be based in coastal Georgia, with some travel, and can start as early as mid April and extend as late as late September. Housing provided; salary commensurate with experience but around $10/h. Applicants with field research experience preferred; ability to work both independently and as part of diverse group essential. Email resume and cover letter describing your interests and career goals, and have one letter of reference emailed to Steve Pennings, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, spennings@uh.edu. Indicate when you would be available to start work, and how late in the summer you would be available. Applications will be reviewed as received; do not apply after March 31.
Post-doc Eric Madrid recently had a paper from his dissertation featured on the cover of the American Journal of Botany. The cover can be viewed here and the abstract for the article is here.
Lindsey Staszak won 2nd in the graduate Marine Resources Management category.
Cara Valinoti (in the middle) won 1st in the undergraduate Marine Biology category and placed 2nd among all undergraduates.
