Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, our organization has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.

The Field Museum seeks part-time project assistants funded by the Walder Biota Award to assist with amphibian and reptile surveys in Will County Forest Preserves (WCFPs). These surveys will contribute to a larger 3-year project to resurvey WCFPs, comparing present data to a historical dataset to examine if and how herpetofauna have survived, thrived, or been displaced in and around Chicagoland. WCFPs encompass a variety of habitats, including prairie, sands, forest, and urban environments, and survey techniques include but are not limited to visual encounter surveys, cover boards, drift fences with box traps, turtle trapping, and acoustic surveys.

The assistants will work under the supervision of S. Ruane (Assistant Curator of Herpetology, Negaunee Integrative Research Center), M. Thompson (SDNHM Conservation Director), contracted biologists, and collaborators at Will County Forest Preserves.

This is a paid, in-person limited term part-time term position during the summer of 2024. The work start date is flexible and will be decided on by the candidate and their supervisors but will generally take place starting in May through August/September. The pay rate is 19 -21/hour depending on experience.

The work schedule is anticipated to be an average of 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 29 hours per week (typical schedule would be 4 days per week, 5 hours/day, Mondays-Thursdays) and may vary by week; the person(s) hired must have some flexibility here but this will be discussed in advance of any given week as to allow planning for schedules. The assistant(s) will be given increased responsibility in guiding interns in the absence of the PIs and are expected to work with the interns in the absence of the PI as needed. Applications will be reviewed as received; the position will remain active until the position is filled and our final candidate has accepted the position. Applications submitted by Apr 23, 2024 will be given full consideration.

In collaboration with interns, with the support of the Supivisor, conduct amphibian and reptile sampling in Will County Forest Preserves. You must be comfortable with handling live reptiles and amphibians, euthanasia for taking voucher specimens, and tissue sampling for molecular analysis. You must have previous experience with all of these techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow datasheet templates (both hard copy and digital) to accurately record survey data and do quality control for all data taken by interns.
• Assist in the collection of tissue, samples, and preservation of voucher specimens.
• Most duties will be performed in the field environment but some work will occur at the FMNH.
• Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle (sites can include any preserve in Will County).
• Applicant must have an Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan address to be considered.
• Knowledge of Chicago area herpetofauna is required.
• Ability to hike to sites and work outdoors in variable weather conditions (including inclement weather) while carrying field equipment. Most work will occur outdoors over a ~6-hour period, but this will vary day to day
• Will encounter mosquitos, ticks, mud, rain, heat, sun, cold, and all other inclement weather conditions expected in the Chicago area as part of the work. The applicant must be comfortable with these conditions

Applicants must include a resume/cv and a short cover letter highlighting their qualifications and experiences that make them well suited for this role.

Important Note: In order to protect the health and safety of our employees, guests and their families, the Field Museum is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Requests for exemptions from the vaccine will not be considered as given the nature of this position, we are unable to provide an accommodation for anyone who has not been vaccinated.

The Field Museum is an equal opportunity workplace and employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other protected class. We strive to create a working environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and one that promotes human dignity and mutual respect among all staff. We believe every member of our organization enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, to identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.

The Field Museum strives to ensure that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all. If you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to accessibility@fieldmuseum.org.