[ES_JOBS_NET] Crazy Ant Strike Team Volunteer - seasonal intern - Johnston Atoll NWR, Honolulu HI

[Scheiner, Katrina]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking volunteers beginning April
20, 2015 for up to 8 months to join the 10th Crazy Ant Strike Team (CAST X)
Expedition to Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to work towards
eradicating an infestation of the Yellow Crazy Ant (YCA), Anoplolepis
gracilipes, on Johnston Island. Eradication efforts have been ongoing since
August 2010, YCA numbers have been reduced by 99%, and the seabirds have
begun to return, but YCA continue to persist on the island and negatively
impact ground nesting birds.

Johnston Atoll is located in the central Pacific Ocean, 717 nautical miles
west-southwest of Honolulu, and is uninhabited except for the four
volunteers and one crew leader. The refuge is managed for 14 species of
breeding seabirds and 5 species of wintering shorebirds in addition to its
diverse coral reef and marine organism assemblages, including the
threatened Green Sea Turtle. The atoll’s four small islands constitute the
only non-rat-infested land area in approximately 750,000 square miles of
ocean, making it critical seabird nesting habitat. Volunteers will have the
rare opportunity to live in this remote setting surrounded by abundant
birds and sea life.

Positions begin in Honolulu, HI on April 20 and the Strike Team will be
deployed to Johnston Island from mid-May through mid-December, 2015.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Volunteers will be expected to work at least 48 hours/week, 6 days/week. As
is the nature of field work, this is not an 8-5, M-F schedule and some
projects will necessitate working evenings or consecutive days, including
weekend days. While in Honolulu, volunteers will pack and prepare gear,
food, and all items necessary for field camp. While on Johnston Island,
responsibilities include:

- Ant bait and pesticide application and monitoring
- Entomological surveys/bioassays
- Seabird, shorebird, and sea turtle surveys
- Data collection and management
- Weekly and summary reporting
- Camp maintenance and chores

It is imperative that candidates consider that Johnston is an extremely
remote site where all but emergency access is by ship, which takes 3-5 days
to travel from Honolulu. No re-supply or ship visits during the 7-month
camp are anticipated. On the island, transportation will primarily be by
foot or bicycle with 1-mile daily commutes to the work site. Living
conditions are primitive and consist of 12’x14’x6’ personal sleeping tents
while a bunker is used for communal/food storage/kitchen and office areas.
Weather conditions can be harsh with strong winds, tropical storms, and hot
sun. Bathing and washing are done in the ocean. Communication with the
island has proven to be reliable but is limited to slow internet access and
a satellite phone. However, the internet access cannot be guaranteed and
team members must be prepared in case communications become limited to text
only e-mail via the satellite phone with no internet browsing capability.
Direct medical attention is a minimum of 1-3 days away. As such, safety in
this remote setting is of primary concern and all individuals are expected
to work together as a team to maintain good communication at all times.

Requirements:

Must be willing and able to work 48 hours per week. Must be physically fit
and able to walk 10 miles a day over variable terrain, lift and carry 70
lbs, ride a bicycle, swim, and be able to perform repetitive stooping and
bending motions. Must be able to perform all duties in various weather
conditions including high heat and humidity, strong winds, and rain. Must
be able to work well independently as well as closely in a small group, be
easy-going with a good sense of humor, and flexible to changing conditions.
All CAST members must follow all pesticide and safety protocols. Qualified
applicants must possess a valid passport that will not expire before March
2016. Possession of a valid U.S. driver’s license is preferred.

Prior experience in the following is preferred: camping, invasive species
control, shorebird and seabird identification and monitoring, entomological
surveying, familiarity with GIS tools and software, data management,
pesticide application, being awesome.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide: airfare to and from
Honolulu, housing and a modest food stipend while in Honolulu,
transportation between Honolulu and Johnston, island quarantine clothes,
and food and housing on Johnston. The Honolulu stipend will not be paid up
front so volunteers will need to have sufficient finances to provide for
their own food for the preparation period in Honolulu.

Applications will be evaluated as they arrive.

TO APPLY: Please include CAST X Volunteer Application in the e-mail subject
line. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and at least 3 references to:

Katrina_Scheiner at fws.gov


-- 
Katrina Scheiner
Crew Leader
Crazy Ant Strike Team
Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
US Fish and Wildlife Service
PO Box 50167
300 Ala Moana Blvd. Rm. 5-231
Honolulu, HI 96850
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