Part-Time Wildlife Epidemiology Laboratory Technician, University of Illinois

The Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Laboratory Technician for the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab.  The salary range is $17 - $20 per hour.

This position will perform a variety of molecular, hematologic, and serologic assays for use in wildlife health epidemiology studies including:

·         Perform DNA extraction, conventional PCR, and qPCR techniques with precision and reliability.

·         Analyze several clinical samples with direction. 

·         Perform specific assays typical of an epidemiology lab including (but not limited to) reptilian complete blood counts, plasma biochemistries, protein electrophoresis, ELISA, viral isolation, bacterial/fungal culture, and heavy metal toxicology. 

·         Responsible for data recording, inventory, invoicing, and lab maintenance.

·         Occasional animal care duties and field opportunities may occur.

The candidate must be able to work with and provide direction to veterinary, graduate, and undergraduate students that are infrequently in the laboratory.  An ideal candidate will have one year of experience and be positive, have good communication skills, hard-working, and organized.  A bachelor’s degree in biological, chemical, or natural resources science is required.  An advanced degree is preferred.

Qualified candidates should contact Dr. Matthew Allender, mcallend@illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).

Executive Director, Clinton Conservation District (St. Johns, MI) due 9/28

Executive Director, Position Description, 08/24/12

Clinton Conservation District

2343 N. US-27

St. Johns, MI 48879

 

Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and references.

E-mail is preferred; gary.fritz@mi.nacdnet.net

Due date for submittal is Friday, September, 28, 2012

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position is full time with the Clinton Conservation District (CCD) located at 2343 N. US-27, St. Johns, MI, 48879. Starting salary is between $19.00 and $22.00 per hour, depending on qualifications. The Executive Director provides administrative and program information/implementation support to the CCD Board of Directors in carrying out the District’s programs in conformance with the purpose of the District as defined by Michigan law. The position is responsible to a five-member Board of Directors that meets monthly and is directly supervised by the Chairman of the Board. Performance evaluation and decisions regarding salary and other compensation, disciplinary actions and termination of employment are the responsibility of the entire CCD Board of Directors.

Some flexibility with scheduling is permitted and will, from time to time, be required. Employment with the District is terminable at will. An employee may be terminated at any time with or without cause and with or without notice, subject to applicable state and federal laws. Employment is at the discretion of the Board and contingent upon factors determined by the Board including, but not limited to, available funding, job performance, changes in program direction or organization.

This professional position requires skills and experience in program development and administration, communications and financial management. A high degree of confidentiality, along with diplomacy is required. The incumbent must be open to training and mentoring in order to develop an in-depth understanding of conservation practices as well as conservation programs available to assist land users in conserving soil, water, and related natural resources.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

ADMINISTRATION / PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT / INFORMATION DELIVERY

1. Understands the purpose, powers, programs, and responsibilities of the District.
2. Seeks information and keeps the Board informed about local, state, and federal regulations, laws, programs and/or activities that may impact the District. Compiles background information to facilitate the decision-making and policy-setting function of the Board of Directors.
3. Assists in coordinating District programs with the programs and activities of personnel from NRCS and other federal, state, and local agencies involved in the conservation practices of related natural resources.
4. Seeks and prepares grant applications and other funding proposals as opportunities arise to enhance the District’s programs. Maintains records and submits grant reporting requirements as dictated by the individual grants funded. Oversees the grant deliverables to make sure they are met in a timely manner.
5. Serves as the day-to-day manager/administrator for all District conservation programs grants received. Coordinates volunteer assistance on projects and programs.
6. Assists the District chairperson in planning and conducting monthly board meetings. Prepares and distributes agendas; meeting packets and records minutes of meetings.
7. Assists the Directors in planning and conducting the District’s Annual Meeting and Election.
8. Assists the Board of Directors in developing their strategic plan, annual plan of action and publishing an annual report on the District’s mission, planned actions and accomplishments, priority resource assessment, and goals.
9. Assists Directors in developing closer working relationships with local units of government as well as local state and federal elected officials.
10. Required to supervise other District employees, prepare and update job descriptions, conduct evaluations, and recommend needed training, disciplinary action, and recognition of employee efforts.
11. Assures that all funds received and disbursed according to guidelines in the District Operations Manual. Assumes responsibility for payroll, accounts payable/receivable, taxes, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. Assists with audits as necessary.
12. Assures that a monthly financial report are prepared for the Treasurer and the Board’s review and approval.
13. Responds to telephone calls and walk-in requests for assistance and/or directs the request to the appropriate party/agency for assistance.
14. Assures the inventory of office supplies is sufficient to allow operations to continue efficiently and cost-effectively. Annually, assists in a physical inventory of equipment owned by the District.
15. Understand and comply with the District’s Policy and Procedures handbooks as prepared by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD).
16. Identify sources and recommend action to the Board to secure adequate operating funds for the District.
17. Performs other duties as requested by the Board of Directors.

INFORMATION/EDUCATION

1. Provides leadership in planning and implementing the District’s information and educational outreach programs.
2. Prepares District news releases and other printed material to promote the District’s mission and programs.
3. Presents programs to key civic groups about the District’s mission, programs, and accomplishments.
4. Maintains website with ongoing programs and information regarding the District.
5. Assist in developing workshops and programs for land users interested in improving natural resources. Seeks cooperation and collaboration with Michigan State University Extension and other partners in planning and implementing these events.
6. Assists and provides information to programs and educational resources available to local school teachers.

TECHNICAL

1. Assists landowners about programs available to provide technical and financial assistance for applying conservation practices on their land.
2. Provide assistance in the execution of grants to fulfill required objectives

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. College degree in natural resources strongly preferred; however extensive experience in a similar position or related field will be considered.
2. Must be able to work independently without daily supervision and prioritize workload so critical tasks are completed in a timely manner. Must be able to be part of a diverse team. Maintains a positive attitude and possess both personal and professional motivation.
3. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including a thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules.
4. Ability to work with persons from many other organizations, agencies, and groups in a professional manner to project a favorable image of the District.
5. Ability to use the computer for word processing, data and financial management. Skills and experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint as well as computer knowledge using QuickBooks accounting is required.
6. Normal work hours will be 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
7. Participation in a limited number of evening meetings; weekend activities; or special events may be necessary. The Directors will determine policy on compensatory time as needed.
8. Travel outside the office and county on behalf of the District will be necessary and will be reimbursed at a rate determined by the Board in accordance with existing policies. Training sessions, meetings, or conferences may involve travel and/or overnight stays from time to time.
9. Experience recruiting, coordinating and managing volunteers.
10. A valid driver’s license is required.
11. This position will require an USDA-NRCS federal background check and fingerprints. Written authorization to contact a minimum of three references is also required.

Career Opportunities in Certification Verification

By Piper Hodson

CAR, VCS, ISO 14000, FSC, MSC.* These are only a few of the veritable alphabet soup of voluntary environmental standards that companies use to assure consumers that they are environmentally responsible. You may have learned about some of these standards in NRES classes, but have you ever thought about the career opportunities that they create?

These certifications provide information to potential customers. For example, you learned about declining fish populations when you took NRES 102, and wanting to continue to make your excellent grilled salmon recipe, you wonder how you can find salmon you can feel confident was harvested sustainably. The answer is that you use the sustainable seafood product finder provided by the Marine Stewardship Council to find the brands of specific fish species that meet the MSC’s standards of sustainable seafood.

Companies know that there are some consumers who will want sustainably harvested seafood (or lumber or coffee or cars that are produced with attention to sustainability, etc.), so they seek an advantage over their competitors by becoming certified. When a company signs onto one of these standards, it submits its activities to a certification process. Even the most voluntary standards (those not requiring third-party verification of claims) have an organization that needs people to convince companies to participate in the standard, educate the public to look for products with its seal of approval, investigate claims of violations, and manage the certification records. Those standards that require third-party verification generate even more career opportunities, because someone has to do the verification.

As a result, there are businesses that specialize in certification. One such company is Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), which describes itself as “a global leader in independent certification and verification of environmental, sustainability, stewardship, food quality, food safety and food purity claims.” SCS is one of several large companies, Bureau Veritas being another, that offers certification services for a wide range of standards around the world.

To learn more about this career path, you can explore some jobs with certification companies that are currently available:

·         Chain of Custody Technical Associate for Scientific Certification Systems

·         ISO 9000, 14000, and 18000 Lead Auditor for Bureau Veritas

·         Product Integrity Director for the Marine Stewardship Council

·         Accreditation Officer for International Code Council

·         Sustainability Services Program Coordinator for Scientific Certification Systems

·         Client Relations Manager for International Code Council

·         Technical Sales, Environmental Certification Services for Scientific Certification Systems

·         Account Manager for Bureau Veritas

·         Customer Service Specialist for Bureau Veritas

There are similar positions related to enforcing legally required standards, as well. For example, NRES Student Services recently received an e-mail asking us to advertise jobs in the Catch Shares Observer Program run by Alaskan Observers, Inc. Fishing trawlers on the West Coast receive limits on the fish they are allowed to catch, and they are required to carry observers when they are fishing. According to the job description, “Observers in the Trawl Catch Share Observer Program can expect to work at-sea 15-20 days per month, gathering fishing effort and location information, sampling for species composition, and collecting biological data from both prohibited and target species.” These positions require at least a B.S. in a natural science with at least 30 credit hours in biological sciences, one course in math, and one course in statistics. NRES graduates, particularly those in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation concentration, fulfill these requirements very well, and positions related to other types of regulation fit the profiles of other NRES concentrations.

So next time you are thinking about your career, consider standard setting organizations and certification companies as one possible path.

*CAR (Climate Action Reserve), VCS (Verified Carbon Standards), ISO 14000 (International Organization for Standardization standards for Environmental Management), FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), and MSC (Marine Stewardship Council).