Biological Technician

Job Type: Biological Technician (pay dependent on experience) Location: Kure Atoll Seabird Sanctuary Duration: Summer 2014: March 2014 – September 2014 Description: The State of Hawai'i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife is seeking a temporary-hire/volunteer for work at Kure Atoll for the summer 2014 field camp. Temporary-hire positions are for 20 weeks, the remainder of time will be voluntary (approximately 10 weeks). Deployment is to occur in March. All personnel must be on O'ahu and available to work at least one week prior to departure. Kure Atoll is a part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) and is located 1,400 miles northwest of O'ahu. Kure Atoll occupies a unique position referred to as the ‘Darwin Point’, which is the northern extent of coral reef development and the atoll is estimated to be 29.8 million years old. Kure is an important breeding site for a sizable and diverse population of wildlife, with several rare or endangered species. Eighteen species of seabirds nest on Kure Atoll, including Mōlī or Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), Ka’upu or Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), and ‘Ewa‘ewa or Sooty tern (Sterna fuscata). There are currently 15 native and 28 introduced plant species known on Green Island. Native plants are an integral resource for seabird nesting habitat and dune stabilization. Invasive plants are a significant management concern because they displace native plant habitat and seabird nesting areas, entrap seabirds in dense vegetative mass and out-compete native plants. Kure Atoll is an extremely remote work location as it is the last atoll in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. This position is a unique opportunity to protect and recover seabird habitat. Transportation to Kure Atoll is by ship and/or plane. The ability to live with a small group of people for an extended period of time is of utmost importance. Fieldworkers are given their own room (8’ x 10’) within a 16’ X 32’ bunkhouse structure. The main building has shared kitchen and office space. The teams is to consist of 6 to 7 people. Contact to and from the field site is limited to text only e-mail (no pictures or attachments) and no internet. Strict Quarantine: Ecosystem protection protocols are in place to prevent introduction of alien species. This quarantine requires that all “soft” (clothing, shoes, straps etc.) items must be purchased new and frozen for 48 hours prior to departure to Kure Atoll. All “hard” items (cameras, musical instruments, etc.) must be inspected thoroughly and may be frozen or fumigated prior to departure. Primary responsibilities include: Invasive plant monitoring and removal (majority of the time is spent working with invasive plants), native plant propagation, bird surveys and banding, monk seal monitoring, vegetation surveys, marine debris removal, data collection and management, weekly and seasonal summary reporting. All staff will be expected to help with regular camp maintenance and chores outside of regular work hours. Prior experience in the following is desired: Invasive species control, native plant propagation and out-planting, waterfowl surveys, avian reproductive monitoring, color and metal band resight, shorebird and seabird monitoring and identification, binocular/spotting scope use, GPS, data management, familiarity with Excel and ArcGIS. Other useful skills include: carpentry, solar equipment maintenance, small boat experience. Requirements: Must be in excellent health, able to walk 10 miles per day with a 40lb pack, lift 50 lbs, work for long hours in hot/sunny, rainy/cold conditions and bend or stoop for long periods of time; must know how to swim; knowledge of native Hawaiian species, excellent vision and plant identification skills.

All field staff are expected to work 40 hours/week. This does not necessarily mean 8 to 5 Monday→Friday, and may include evenings and weekends.

DLNR DOFAW will provide transportation between Honolulu and Kure Atoll. Travel dates are subject to change due to ship and airplane schedules. Lodging and food while on Kure are provided. Most field clothes and gear are provided. All other transportation, housing, and personal items must be supplied by applicant.

Please send resume, cover letter and three references to: kureatoll@gmail.com

For more information about Kure Atoll, please see the Kure Atoll Conservancy website: http://www.kureatollconservancy.org/, Kure Atoll Facebook Page, and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument website: http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/visit/kure.html.