Bat Research Technician

Status: Part Time, Hourly

Location: Various sites in Texas

Reports to: Conservation Research Coordinator

Hourly Rate: $17-$20

BCI and our Mission

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a part time Bat Research Technician to join BCI’s Science Team. The ideal candidate will be located in Texas or surrounding states, but this is not required.

The Bat Research Technician will join a dynamic organization and a highly progressive team of conservation scientists, reporting to the Conservation Research Coordinator in Texas (Sarah Stankavich). The Technician will primarily assist with white-nose syndrome (WNS) surveillance surveys across Texas and may perform other fieldwork as necessary and availability permits.

The Bat Research Technician must be comfortable working in caves, able to work safely in the field, submit accurate data in a timely manner, and communicate effectively with various stakeholders and partners.

Surveys take place in the Texas Panhandle and Hill Country for 1 – 2 weeks in March/April, May, August, and November/December. Additional work in west Texas is expected in the future. Work schedules will vary depending on the activity but will generally occur Monday to Friday. Interested candidates must be available during all survey periods to be considered for the position. Meals, lodging, and travel costs will be covered during work periods.

Position description:

The Bat Research Technician will work as part of a team to:

• Collect fungal swabs from caves and bats as part of WNS surveillance surveys
• Conduct bat colony counts
• Assist with bat capture and processing
• Set up and maintain bat acoustic monitoring devices
• Enter data accurately and in a timely manner
• Motivated to create a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable world.

Additional opportunities for other fieldwork, acoustic data processing, and involvement in other parts of the scientific process may be available based on experience and interest.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

Required

• Ability to follow written protocols and comfort to ask questions and clarify instructions
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with all levels of staff, government agencies, industry, landowners, and other partners
• Ability to walk moderate distances while carrying 5 – 15 lbs. of equipment
• Comfortable working in confined, underground spaces
• Clean driving record per Motor Vehicle Records
• Ability to pass a background check

Preferred

• Experience conducting fieldwork for scientific research projects, especially with bats
  • Following decontamination protocols for cave fieldwork
• Up-to-date rabies pre-exposure vaccination
• Up-to-date SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
• Experience working outdoors in seasonal conditions
• First aid and CPR certification
• Experience driving a 4WD vehicle and towing a trailer
• Experience processing and manual vetting acoustic data

Work Characteristics & Competencies

• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
• Willingness to work in harsh weather (rain, heat, etc.)
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Interest in learning and applying the learning on the job.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in the conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment. Read more about our JEDI statement at www.batcon.org/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/.