Summer Technician

SUMMER 2008- FRESHWATER MUSSEL TECHNICIAN POSITION

The Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences is looking to hire a summer technician from early May 2008 to late August, to help conduct freshwater mussel surveys and collect water quality data on the Powell and Clinch Rivers, TN/VA. Other duties may include aiding in the propagation and culture of endangered freshwater mussels at the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center, Virginia Tech Aquaculture Center.

Employee hired for the position would perform a variety of tasks, to include the following:

1) Conduct snorkel surveys on the Powell and Clinch Rivers in Tennessee and Virginia.

2) Collect water quality data from the Powell River

3) Collect host fish and mussels for fish host testing.

4) Culture juvenile mussels in recirculating aquaculture systems at the VT FMCC.

The applicant must be able to work 40 hours a week, have reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and be willing to travel to TN and VA to do field work. Frequent overnight stays at a research facility near Tazewell, TN are required. The applicant must be a good swimmer and feel comfortable working in rivers collecting fish and freshwater mussels. Applicants should have coursework and experience in fisheries, aquatic science, or a related field of study. Undergraduates are encouraged to apply.

Ideally, applicants should have experience in collection of fish using electro-fishing equipment, identification of freshwater fish, data collection and analysis using computer software, writing reports of project data, and be able to work effectively as part of a team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in identifying freshwater mussels and non-game fish, learning conservation aquaculture, and working in some of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America.

Pay: $8-$10 depending on experience. Applicants should provide a cover letter and resume by Feb 29th to:



Matthew Johnson

149 Cheatham Hall

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

msjhnsn@vt.edu



--
Matthew Johnson
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
Virginia Tech
149 Cheatham Hall
Phone: 804-943-3457