Overview

Our Mission
Formed in 1992, Kentucky Heartwood seeks to protect and restore the integrity, stability, and beauty of Kentucky’s native forests and biotic communities through research, education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Overview
Do you have a passion for protecting bats and view interior forest habitats just as critical to bat population recovery and survival as cave and karst systems? Kentucky Heartwood is seeking applicants to fill one temporary seasonal biologist position. The biologist will conduct presence/absence surveys for federally-endangered Indiana bats and federally-threatened northern long-eared bats across the Daniel Boone National Forest. Given applicant’s experience, this position may also incorporate other wildlife and plant identification and document forest composition. Employment will be from May 3, 2021 to September 9, 2021 with field work conducted between May 15, 2021 to August 15, 2021. Shoulder dates will allow for field season preparation and final reporting. For more information about Kentucky Heartwood, visit www.kyheartwood.org.

Responsibilities

• Conduct presence/absence surveys for federally-listed bats primarily across interior forests on the Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky
• Coordinate with Kentucky Office of United States Fish and Wildlife Service concerning protocols for presence/absence surveys using the “Range-wide Indiana bat survey guidelines”
• Identify optimal bat habitats; deploy and retrieve Song Meter Mini Bat Ultrasonic Recorders in a timely manner for data retrieval; identify bat species using recorded data
• Work collectively with other Kentucky Heartwood staff members to identify and coordinate field efforts and ensure consistent data collection for harmonization
• Conduct other assessments such as bird and plant identification and forest structure surveys
• Track mileage, hours, and expenses; report issues or scheduling conflicts in a timely fashion

Qualifications, Skills, Resources

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Natural Resources, Ecology and Conservation Biology, or related field
• Experience and/or ability to quickly learn and use bioacoustics sound analysis software for bat and bird identifications similar to Kaleidoscope
• Competent and comfortable hiking in various conditions and terrains and navigating safely in the woods
• Overnight camping required
• Reliable transportation

Compensation
This is a temporary seasonal full-time position. The biologist is expected to fulfill 40 hours a week over ~19 weeks between May 3, 2021 and September 9, 2021. $18.42/hour. Mileage reimbursement at government rate.

How to apply
We will begin reviewing applications April 1, 2021 and will conduct interviews the second week in April. Send a thoughtful cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and two professional references to info@kyheartwood.org. Please add “Application for biologist position” in the email tagline. Address application to Ashley Lipscomb (she/her), Director of Kentucky Heartwood.

Application deadline is March 30, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST. No phone calls please.