JOB PURPOSE:   

Location: Laramie, WY 

Compensation: $8,000 living stipend + $1.956.35 Segal Education Award 

Term of Service: This position has a 450-hour term of service beginning May 18 and ending August 19. Schedule may include occasional evenings, holidays, weekends and variable shifts, primarily in peak times and for events. 

Position Overview: The Wyoming Conservation Corps (WCC) is seeking applicants to fill an AmeriCorps Individual Placement position with a partner organization. The position has a 450-hour term of service. 

The Wyoming toad is a critically-endangered species endemic to the Laramie Basin of Wyoming. The species was formerly abundant but began declining in the 1970’s and the last known individuals were brought into captivity in the 1990’s to establish a captive breeding program. Individuals from the captive breeding program are being reintroduced into the wild with the goal of establishing self-sustaining breeding populations and ultimately removing the species from the Endangered Species List. The main reintroduction site is Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and recovery of the toad is the principal function of this refuge. In this effort, a set of key recovery actions focus on integrative research, monitoring, and active population management to address key questions regarding toad survival and habitat use. This is a substantial effort necessary to make progress toward recovery, and it requires additional ‘boots on the ground’, which would be filled by youth project volunteers. The applicant will assist Service staff in all aspects of toad management including surveys, habitat assessment and management, reintroductions, animal husbandry, radio telemetry, research activities, facility and equipment maintenance, and volunteer coordination. Duties may include: 

• Building and installing soft release enclosures for tadpoles and adults 
• Daily feeding and measuring of tadpoles 
• Release and subsequent monitoring of adult toads 
• Public education and outreach 
• Surveys for wild toads 
• Collecting biological samples from toads for chytrid fungus testing and genetic analysis 
• Radio-tracking adult Wyoming toads 
• Collecting habitat suitability data 
• Additional efforts may include facility maintenance and habitat improvement activities that will support refuge management 

Physical Working Conditions: The candidate may be required to work alone or in a small team in wetlands habitats with bugs and harsh weather conditions.   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Enrolled in or completed a Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences 
• High School Diploma or GED 
• 18 years of age 
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria 
• Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Enthusiasm for working outdoors 
• Desire to work with threatened or endangered species 
• Interest in amphibian conservation 
• Ability to interact well with other crew members 
• Work independently with limited supervision. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. 
• Demonstrate knowledge and willingness to learn about the area ecosystems 
• Demonstrate maturity and good judgment 

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: 

Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter describing their relevant experience. Position open until filled. Applications received by April 1 will receive full consideration.