Temporary Field Interviewer

West Virginia University’s Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design is seeking applications for a Temporary Field Interviewer. This position will be essential to the completion of NMS-Count effort with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF) around the Great Lakes. The location for this position is the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The Field Interviewer will conduct face-to-face interviews with coastal visitors as they exit recreation sites. Interviewers will travel to a variety of general recreation sites. Shifts vary between morning, afternoon and evening hours and very often occur on weekend days. Mileage reimbursement will be offered in addition to the hourly wage.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct recreation surveys on lands adjacent to national marine sanctuary waters in a friendly and respectful manner.
• Check schedule on the Google Drive weekly/daily basis and planning out survey site drive times and location with GPS and maps.
• Set up interviewing sites (i.e. sign placement, traffic cone placement, etc.) properly to ensure safety of self and visitors.
• Place and calibrate trail cameras to capture use on assigned trail and road systems.
• Download data from tablets and report status to field supervisor.
• Fill out and keeping track of surveys and daily counts in a neat, orderly fashion.
• Compile weekly reports for field supervisor about site use levels, recreation use and weather conditions at each assigned surveying site.
• Adhere to strict WVU data collection policies and guidelines including proper dress, displaying of safety signage, etc.
• Ability to drive long distances over a variety of road surfaces during early morning and early evening hours.
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision from field management at all times.

Length of Assignment: June – August, with potential to continue into September and October, if desired

Work Hours: 10 – 30+ hours per week

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• A minimum of six months of previous in-field data collection experience on state, federal or municipal lands is preferred, but not required.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Competency in written and oral communication.
• Ability to drive on various types of roads to remote locations
• Ability to keep neat and concise notes and surveys.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times.
• Skilled in effective communication.
• Skilled in strategic planning and logistics.
• Skilled in critical thinking, including using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Skilled in monitoring/assessing the performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take correction.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license

To apply, please: 1) email cover letter and resume to Nick Schuelke, Great Lakes Social Scientist: nschuelke@marinesanctuary.org, and 2) submit an application through the WVU website.