USGS Monitoring Giant Gartersnake in the Sacramento Valley

OrganizationU.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)Reference CodeDOI-USGS-2026-13How To ApplyTo submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.A Complete Application Consists OfAn applicationTranscript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication listTwo educational or professional recommendations. All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!”DescriptionApplications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located in Dixon, California.The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.Research Project: This project is a field-based study of giant gartersnake ecology, occupancy and demography in California’s central valley. Data collected through these efforts will be used to evaluate effects of rice on occurrence, colonization, and survival probabilities of giant gartersnakes. Results will directly support applied management decisions related to habitat restoration, land management, and conservation planning.Project may include checking modified aquatic minnow traps; handling and processing snakes, including inserting a passive integrated transponder tag, marking a Unique ID with a medical cautery unit and taking morphometric measurements; and may involve use of off-road government vehicles, and kayaks. Additional activities may include contributing to data entry, compilation, quality assurance and quality control, and organization of field data in laboratory notebooks and structured tabular formats as part of mentored training in scientific data management.Learning Objectives: Through this mentored field experience, you will gain hands-on training with a federally threatened species while developing skills in species identification, handling and marking techniques, digital data collection (e.g., Survey123), and applied study design. Regular biweekly meetings with the project manager will provide opportunities to connect field activities to broader research objectives and ecological questions. A midpoint mentoring discussion will support reflection on skill development, strengths, and goals in the context of conservation field researchMentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Anna Jordan (ajordan@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 15, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 12 weeks, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.Questions: If you have questions about the application process please email USGS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.QualificationsThe qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past four years, or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029.Point of Contact Rachel Eligibility Requirements">12 ) Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 48 months or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029 12:00:00 AM. Discipline(s): Chemistry and Materials Sciences (<a href="#" data-bs-toggle="popover" tabindex="0" role="button" data-bs-title="Chemistry and Materials Sciences" data-bs-content="Analytical ChemistryBio-inorganic ChemistryBio-organic ChemistryBiophysical ChemistryChemistry (General)Environmental ChemistryInorganic ChemistryMaterials SciencesOrganic ChemistryPhysical ChemistryPolymer ChemistryTheoretical ChemistryCommunications and Graphics Design (2 )Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )Earth and Geosciences (21 )Engineering (28 )Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )Life Health and Medical Sciences (49 )Mathematics and Statistics (11 )Physics (16 )Science & Engineering-related (2 )