USGS Student Ecological Modeling Assistant Job Announcement

1. Types of Services Required:
Assistance needed with current project, "Climate-Driven Shifts in Prairie Pothole Wetlands: Assessing Future Impacts to Critical Waterfowl Habitats" read more about the project at: https://casc.usgs.gov/projects/#/project/4f83509de4b0e84f60868124/5b33be6fe4b040769c172fad
Services may include one or more of the following activities: Assemble and evaluate climate and wetland ecosystem data; develop code for plotting information on maps, graphs, tables, and other diagrams. Modeling procedures include: Quickly becoming familiar with the modeling software Stella and the Pothole Hydrology-Linked Systems Simulator (PHyLiSS) model. Running PHyLiSS for a number of different wetlands and prepare preliminary interpretive compilations of wetland hydrology and chemistry data.

Read more about the model here: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2018/1165/ofr20181165.pdf

2. Required Expertise/Skills:
Completion of two or more years of academic course work including study of earth science, ecology, wildlife biology, hydrology, computer science, statistics, climatology, or related disciplines. Skill in using coding languages such as R or Python, and simulation modeling in programs like Stella is preferred. This position is for a college student that is currently enrolled or has graduated no more than 12 months from the start date of the position.

3. Description of Working Conditions:
This job is an opportunity to gain research experience in ecosystem modeling and federal science. Be a part of a team of enthusiastic field, lab, and modeling scientists working to assist wetland managers in making informed management decisions. Office work may involve prolonged sitting and long hours in front of a computer screen. Earliest start date May 1, 2019 with a flexible end date. Work will generally be 8 hours/day and 5 days/week.

4. Compensation:
Compensation is commensurate with the level of education and experience, as follows:
$15.38 per hour for student who has completed two or more years of undergraduate studies.
Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Travel away from the duty station is not expected.

5. Principle Duty Station:
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Station, Jamestown, ND

6. To Apply:
Please submit resume/CV, cover letter, contact information, and names and contact information of two references to:
Owen McKenna, 8711 37th St SE, Jamestown, ND 58401-9736
omckenna@usgs.gov, 701-253-5527

Applications must be received by midnight, Friday, March 15, 2019 to be considered.