Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (MOJN) is one of 32 regional networks across the country that collect data on specific natural resources—the plants, animals, water, and ecosystems that can indicate the overall ecological health of our national parks. These data are collected for planning, research, and education, and to help guide decisions related to park resource management. For more information, visit the NPS MOJN website.  

MOJN is seeking a lead bat specialist to lead implementation for our network bat monitoring plan. Monitoring of bats is part of a collaboration between the Mojave Desert Network Inventory & Monitoring Program and Parks of the Mojave Desert Network. Bats have recently become a conservation concern due to the spread of a novel disease known as “White-Nose Syndrome” (WNS). This position is primarily focused on field work, although office work will also be required. This position will also help lead planning for the network bat blitz that will be held in late summer. Field work can be strenuous and involve long days on steep terrain. Regular overnight travel and car camping will occur (most camping equipment will be provided), often in backcountry locations with no amenities. Park housing may occasionally be available. Long drives on highways and unimproved dirt roads are often necessary to access remote sites. Effective communication skills are essential for working on small teams. This position will also assist parks with bat related projects and activities on an as needed basis which may include conducting colony surveys at known roosts (primarily in abandoned mines) and PIT tagging bats and possibly assist with MOTUS tower maintenance.

The field work is dynamic and may be carried out across the MOJN parks (Castle Mountains National Monument, Death Valley National Park, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Great Basin National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site, and Mojave National Preserve). The position will be the field lead for acoustic and capture surveys for bats and will oversee an intern who will be their primary field partner. Acoustic surveys are conducted following a modified version of NABat and occur in the winter and summer seasons. Capture surveys will occur in the spring season and include identifying bats to species, age, sex and reproductive status and then each bat will be swabbed to detect the fungus that causes WNS. Bats will be captured using mist nets on the landscape or using harp traps at the entrances of known roosts in abandoned mines. Additional opportunities might be provided to participate in other projects and activities. This position must be flexible as weather and other factors may change field plans last minute and be able to communicate those changes to park staff. The technician will be expected to be the primary field lead in most situations and will require a high degree of communication and coordination with park staff across the network.

General Duties:

• Lead planning of all field hitches for bat monitoring.
• Deploy and retrieve acoustic bat detectors (Petterson D500X model).
• Capture bats, identifying to species and take swab samples for WNS surveillance using mist nets and harp traps.
• Oversee and direct work of an intern who will be your primary field partner.
• Organize, prepare, and ship swab samples to partner labs.
• Lead planning and implementation for a network bat blitz which will involve: Coordinating planning meetings with park staff and organizing all aspects of the bat blitz.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control of data, both in the field and office.
• Transfer and organize acoustic files, including confirming file counts and date ranges.
• Locate and navigate to field sites using GPS and possibly topo maps.
• Hike long distances over rough terrain in potentially extreme weather conditions.
• Car camp in primitive conditions.
• Drive 4WD vehicles on highways and unimproved dirt roads.
• Maintain and disinfect field vehicles, sampling equipment, and camping gear.
• Collaborate with MOJN staff on project planning, protocols, logistics, and safety.

Timeline:

• 48 weeks appointment
• Full time (40 hours/week); overtime and/or weekend hours will occasionally be required
• Start date: January 6, 2025
• The job posting will close for applicant review on Friday October 11th, 2024

Location:

The duty station for this position is based at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, NV. Boulder City is about 10 miles southeast of Las Vegas, NV. While famous for its neon lights and nightlife, Las Vegas is surrounded by public land on all sides, with Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the west, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area to the south, Red Rock National Conservation Area and Spring Mountain National Forest to the west, and Desert National Wildlife Refuge to the north. Additional parks, monuments, and refuges can be reached within a few hours of driving in any direction. Outdoor recreational opportunities nearby include hiking, rock climbing, bouldering, kayaking, mountain biking, and birding, along with skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Las Vegas offers the amenities of a large city, including dining, entertainment, and retail.

Housing is not provided, although MOJN staff will assist with helping to find housing as much as is feasible. Seasonal technicians and interns have had success in the past finding rooms to rent or other housing to share with other seasonal staff. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• $26/hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums available at no cost
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
• Personal Leave 
• Access to Prodeals
• Travel per diem rate of $60 for each day spent in the field with overnight stays away from duty location.
• $150 stipend to purchase sturdy hiking boots with ankle support

Qualifications:

•  Applicant must be a US citizen or Permanent Resident.
•  Applicant must be willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks. 
•  Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Bachelor's degree in a natural resource focused program
• At least three seasons of experience in capturing bats using mist nets and identifying bats to species using standard keys
• Ability to hike at least 10 miles per day for multiple days on steep or rugged terrain in variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions
• Ability to car camp for multiple days in remote locations with no amenities
• Ability to operate 4WD vehicles on unimproved and potentially rough dirt roads
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team to accomplish program goals
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and colleagues
• Attention to detail and data quality
• Excellent organizational skills
• Must pass a federal background check prior to start date

Preferred Experience:

• More than three years of experience capturing bats using mist nets
• Experience identifying bats in the western US
• Having a current rabies titer
• Hiking or working in desert environments
• Using Survey123, AGOL, or other GIS software
• Identifying plants of the Mojave or Great Basin regions