12/12/2024
NJ Fish and Wildlife, ENDANGERED & NONGAME SPECIES PROGRAM
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title:
Prepared:
NJF&W Seasonal Wildlife Technician
December 2024
Summary of Position:
EASTERN COPPERHEAD RESEARCH:
NJ Division Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has
partnered with Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) as part of a long-term eastern
copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) radio-telemetry research project. We are seeking a
responsible, detail-oriented, self-motivated person that is able to work independently outdoors
in rugged terrain, including during rain and/or hot weather. Time will be divided between
fieldwork and project administration. Field work will consist of eastern copperhead radio
tracking using radio telemetry and environmental data collection approximately 3 days/week,
and administrative tasks, habitat stewardship, and invasive plant species control, approximately 2
days/week. Administrative activities will include GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping
and data management.
Duties:
1. Independently track multiple eastern copperheads via radio telemetry. This can include
extensive off-trail searching in remote, difficult to reach locations.
2. Collect ecological data (vegetation, thermal, behavioral, etc.)
3. Perform stewardship activities that benefit eastern copperheads (planting native plants,
moving logs/rocks/debris, invasive species control, etc.)
4. Administrative activities (GIS mapping, data management, equipment management and
other computer tasks)
5. Perform tasks as assigned by the Fish and Wildlife supervisor and/or research partners at
FoHVOS.
6. Maintain confidentiality of copperhead location data.
Required Qualifications:
1. Enrollment in or completion of Bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resource
management or related fields
2. Willingness to work independently
3. Willingness to learn to handle eastern copperheads (i.e., catch with a snake hook and
snake bag in the field and/or release in the field after lab-processing.)
4. Ability to hike 5+ miles a day
5. Ability to conduct physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain
6. Ability to stay motivated and productive while working alone outdoors
Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience tracking wildlife with radio telemetry for at least one field season
2. Knowledge of native and invasive flora and fauna of New Jersey
3. Basic knowledge of GPS/GIS
Compensation:
• $20.00-$24.00/hour depending on education and experience
• When a state vehicle is not available to conduct necessary tasks (e.g., transporting a
snake to Rutgers University, participating in other ENSP projects), personnel will be
compensated at $0.47 per mile for each mile that exceeds commuting miles to the Fish &
Wildlife field office (i.e., “Assigned Workstation”) in Hampton, Hunterdon County, NJ.
Hours:
Approximately 40 hours/week (Monday – Friday), approximately 7:30AM to 4:00PM (includes
0.5-hour unpaid lunch period).
• This is a field work position with the potential for start/end times to fluctuate based on
the number of snakes in the study, the location of the snakes, weather conditions, etc.
Start – End Dates:
Approximately May 15th – October 31st
• A commitment is required for the full duration of the field season. Some flexibility is
available if discussed at the time of hiring.
Work Locations:
• Field Work / Office Work: Mercer County
o This is the location where the majority of the field and office work will occur.
• Assigned Workstation at Fish & Wildlife Office: Hampton, Hunterdon County
o This is the officially assigned workstation; however, personnel will spend little
time at this location.
To apply, please email the following materials to Kris Schantz ([email protected])
by COB, February 7th, 2025:
Applications missing any of these items will not be considered.
1. A cover letter addressing how your education/experience qualifies you to accomplish the job
duties listed above
2. A resume (maximum of two pages)
3. Provide names, e-mails, phone numbers, and mailing addresses of three references
