Environmental Services Intern - Nutria Eradication Intern
Please apply for this job at the CalCareers link provided in the description below. Applications not submitted via CalCareers will not be considered.
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Job Description and Duties
Under the supervision of the Nutria Eradication Operations Supervisor, the incumbent will support the Department's Nutria Eradication Program. Nutria are highly invasive and extremely detrimental to the environment, but primarily nocturnal and relatively elusive in low densities. This position is physically demanding, but highly rewarding given the ultimate accomplishment of protecting California's wetlands, waterways, infrastructure, and agriculture. As part of a team, the incumbent will contribute to surveys to detect, locate, and trap nutria, with the ultimate goal of eradicating nutria from the state. Duties include:
Assist Nutria Eradication Program staff with surveying suitable aquatic habitats (wetlands, ponds, river backwaters, sloughs, etc.) to classify habitat suitability, determine property access needs, detect nutria sign or presence, and delineate the current geographic extent of the nutria infestation. Survey methods will utilize various detection techniques including, but not limited to, visual observation, camera stations, artificial (vegetation) and wooden platforms, hair snares, use of attractants, baits, and lures, and review of aerial imagery for classifying habitats. Utilize project [GIS-based] mobile applications to locate and manage project equipment; identify wetland plants to species; effectively identify potential nutria sign; review camera images; accurately distinguish nutria from other aquatic mammals; using microscopes, identify hair samples to species; follow project protocols and spatial assignments to efficiently cover project management units.
Follow project protocols to create, review, and edit project data, primarily using a Department smartphone and/or iPad and mobile applications. Data includes, but is not limited to, spatial, quantitative, and qualitative information about trap, camera, platform, and observation locations, trap and camera rechecks, cell habitat classifications and surveys, confirmed detections, nutria taken, and necropsies.
Assist Nutria Eradication Program staff with nutria eradication trapping in infested areas, which includes deploying multiple types of traps, humanely dispatching nutria, and performing necropsies on taken nutria. This will include management of grid-cell trapping assignments; understanding and following protocols within surrounding cells; collecting data on use of attractants, baits and lures; transporting equipment, carcasses, and live animals; recording/entering necropsy data accurately; and collecting, labeling, and organizing biological samples. Construct, clean, organize, and maintain project equipment; make lures and scent-based attractants for use in surveys and trapping.
The Environmental Services Intern classification is a non-testing classification.
The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
Must be able to swim, walk through deep mud and thick vegetation, work on steep or uneven terrain, in extreme weather and under physically challenging conditions. Must be able to work odd hours/days (weekend work will be required), be able to lift 40 pounds, and be capable of driving a State-owned vehicle. Must be willing and able to competently use pellet pistols or firearms as per the Department’s Policy for Non-Enforcement Personnel. Must possess valid Driver's License and be able to safely and effectively operate watercraft and UTVs, as well as tow trailers. Overnight travel will be required. Hours are limited to 1,500 in a year (3/4 time). Manual labor and cleaning will be required. Data entry will be required. Boating, kayaking, and wearing waders in the water are a major component of the job.
The primary geographical focus of this position will be in San Joaquin, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Solano, Alameda, and Calaveras counties, but work may be assigned in any part of the area of nutria infestation.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.