Summary of Position:  
EASTERN COPPERHEAD RESEARCH:   

NJ Division Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) has partnered with Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) as part of a long-term eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) radio-telemetry research project. We are seeking a responsible, detail-oriented, self-motivated person that is able to work independently outdoors in rugged terrain, including during rain and/or hot weather. Time will be divided between  fieldwork and project administration. Field work will consist of eastern copperhead radiotracking using radio telemetry and environmental data collection approximately 3 days/week, and administrative tasks, habitat stewardship, and invasive plant species control, approximately 2 days/week. Administrative activities will include GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and data management. 

Duties:  

1. Independently track multiple eastern copperheads via radio telemetry. This can include extensive off-trail searching in remote, difficult to reach locations.  
2. Collect ecological data (vegetation, thermal, behavioral, etc.)   
3. Perform stewardship activities that benefit eastern copperheads (planting native plants, moving logs/rocks/debris, invasive species control, etc.)  
4. Administrative activities (GIS mapping, data management, equipment management and other computer tasks)  
5. Perform tasks as assigned by the Fish and Wildlife supervisor and/or research partners at FoHVOS. 
6. Maintain confidentiality of copperhead location data. 

Required Qualifications:  

1. Enrollment in or completion of Bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resource management or related fields 
2. Willingness to work independently 
3. Willingness to learn to handle eastern copperheads (i.e., catch with a snake hook and snake bag in the field and/or release in the field after lab-processing.) 
4. Ability to hike 5+ miles a day 
5. Ability to conduct physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain 
6. Ability to stay motivated and productive while working alone outdoors 

Preferred Qualifications 

1. Experience tracking wildlife with radio telemetry for at least one field season 
2. Knowledge of native and invasive flora and fauna of New Jersey  
3. Basic knowledge of GPS/GIS 

Compensation:   

• $20.00-$24.00/hour depending on education and experience  
• When a state vehicle is not available to conduct necessary tasks (e.g., transporting a snake to Rutgers University, participating in other ENSP projects), personnel will be 
compensated at $0.47 per mile for each mile that exceeds commuting miles to the Fish & Wildlife field office (i.e., “Assigned Workstation”) in Hampton, Hunterdon County, NJ. 

Hours:  
Approximately 40 hours/week (Monday – Friday), approximately 7:30AM to 4:00PM (includes 0.5-hour unpaid lunch period).  
• This is a field work position with the potential for start/end times to fluctuate based on the number of snakes in the study, the location of the snakes, weather conditions, etc.   
Start – End Dates:  
Approximately May 15th – October 31st  
• A commitment is required for the full duration of the field season. Some flexibility is available if discussed at the time of hiring.  

Work Locations:  
• Field Work / Office Work: Mercer County  
o This is the location where the majority of the field and office work will occur. 
• Assigned Workstation at Fish & Wildlife Office: Hampton, Hunterdon County  
o This is the officially assigned workstation; however, personnel will spend little time at this location.