Wetland & Wildlife Spring/Summer Employees Needed
(2 positions available – Clear Lake, Iowa)
Position #1 employment dates: March 15, 2014 – June 20th, 2014
Position #2 employment dates: April 1, 2014 – August 15th, 2014
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Research Section is seeking two field
assistants. Both positions will be stationed out of the Clear Lake DNR Fish and Wildlife Office.
Assistants will work together as a team to survey herps, aquatic invertebrates, and collect basic
water quality data from farmed wetlands located in central and north central Iowa. Assistants will
conduct work at wetland sites also being surveyed for waterbird usage. The objectives of this
project are to document the ecological condition of farmed wetlands and how they’re used by
various species of wildlife. In addition to the wetland project, the field assistants will work with
wildlife biologists and technicians located at the DNR Office in Clear Lake, Iowa on a wide
variety of other job tasks throughout the spring and early summer period.
Duties will include the following related activities:
- Conduct surveys in wetland areas located in intensively farmed fields
- Collect wetland water samples for nutrient and pesticide testing
- Assist with basic data organization
- Must be willing to use, or learn to use, all equipment related to field sampling work
including: 4WD trucks, trailers, GPS Units, maps, water sampling gear, etc.
- GIS map interpretation and navigation in a rural landscape.
- Contact landowners to gain permission to access wetlands on private land.
- Assist with goose and/or wood duck banding activities
- Various other duties include assistance with Trumpeter Swan banding and feeding,
and furbearer related work.
Applicants must have a good understanding of basic wetland and wildlife ecology, outdoor skills
and be physically capable of, and willing to work long hours in the field under all types of
weather conditions. After initial training, assistants will work together to survey and sample
farmed wetlands. Sampling work will require 2 – 4 day periods of extensive vehicle travel
throughout the sampling region. Pay will be $12.00/hour. Housing will not be provided.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and allow their driving record to be screened upon
hiring. Employees will gain valuable work experience in the following ways: 1) field experience
working in and around wetland areas in an agricultural setting, 2) valuable experience
communicating with the public, landowners, dnr staff, and working in teams, and 3) assist with a
variety of other wildlife work related tasks.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: BY MIDNIGHT FRIDAY JANUARY 28th, 2014
To apply, please send a resume, three references, and a cover letter with available start and end
dates, electronically or by mail to:
Vince Evelsizer – Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
1203 North Shore Drive
Clear Lake, IA 50428
Vince.Evelsizer@dnr.iowa.gov
for questions call: (641) 357–3517
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is an EEO/AA EMPLOYER.