Defining Flying Squirrel Habitat in The

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Student Internship

Defining Flying Squirrel Habitat in the

San Bernardino Mountains

Environmental Systems Program

University of California at San Diego Physical Sciences Program

And

Conservation Partnerships Program

Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

INTRODUCTION

Incumbent works at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, with site visits to the San Diego Natural History Museum and San Bernardino National Forest.

The student intern will assist withan ecological study in southern California. The intern will serve as a field assistant; collect data, analyze data and produce a final report evaluating the presence/absence of flying squirrels related to various forested habitats.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The San Bernardino flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus californicus; SBFS) is restricted to the San Bernardino Mountains. Although the SBFS is thought to prefer coniferous woodland, reports are frequent of flying squirrels utilizing developed urban environments. Little is known about the population ecology of the SBFS and various groups assume that squirrel numbers are low and declining, possibly warranting listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended). This project will investigate habitat usage patterns of SBFS in developed areas and adjacent undeveloped forested areas in the San Bernardino Mountains. The goal of this project is to evaluate habitat parameters of the SBFS and assess how habitat usage patterns are influenced by the urban edge.

The San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM) has an agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to build upon past and current citizen science programs to investigate the extent of the SBFS’s distribution along the urban edge and the squirrel’s use of a habitat gradient from residential to natural environments. SDNHM will be responsible to engage the local community in the San Bernardino Mountains to aid in the investigation of this question of flying squirrel habitat and how their developed backyard influence habitat use.

Complimenting data collected by citizen scientist is a network of 30 camera stations set at random points across the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF). These camera stations are at remote sites and provide data used to define a habitat model for the SBFS. One of the main responsibilities of the intern is to maintain these stations and collect forest metrics where stations are established.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Work with FWS, SDNHM and SBNF staff, along with individual property owners, to collect data relevant to the overall goal of this project.
• Work independently in order to fulfill the responsibilities of this agreement.
• Collect data describing the major habitat parameters important to SBFS along the urban edge compared to the interior forest.
• Establish and maintain camera/bait stations at remote site across the SBNF.
• Extract data using FWS GISto evaluate forest composition and physical parameters of the landscape within each study site.
• Analyze data to determine habitat structure for each study site.

DELIVERABLES

A final report and/or poster describing the result of the student’s work. The report/poster will address forest management recommendations for the SBFS.

FACTOR 1: KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of basic ecological principles.
• Basic field skills to work independently in remote situations.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinatework load.
• Skill in verbal communication and establishing new relationships with individuals, groups, and organizations, and work with people of various ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, economic backgrounds, interests, and skill levels. Ability to foster partnerships and to interact tactfully and effectively with people.
• Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to develop education and interpretation materials, volunteer newsletter and training materials.
• Possess a valid state driver license.
• Use of government vehicle will be authorized.

FACTOR 2: SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The intern works under the general supervision of the Division Chief, Conservation Partnerships Program, for the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. The Division Chief will work with UCSD faculty advisors to make initial assignments;however, the internindependently carriesout day-to-day work activities with little supervision. Intern works with UCSD faculty to select, apply and adapt a broad range of standard procedures, or develops new methods, in performing assignments.

FACTOR 3: GUIDELINES

Guidelines include performance standards established by the Environmental Systems Program at the University of California at San Diego. The intern will be closely advised by University faculty.

FACTOR 4: COMPLEXITY

Work is designed to provide the interna working knowledge of local ecology and how various agencies and groups can form partnerships to address conservation issues. Intern must use various social, public relations, outreach, interpretation, and coordination skills to effectively complete assignments. The position requires the intern to consider human interactions and motivations, management needs, logistical constraints, budget limitations, FWS guidelines and government regulations, and other factors. Intern must work with people and groups that have differing backgrounds, attitudes, opinions and desires regarding use and management of public and private lands. Intern needs to be creative, ambitious, outgoing, able to work independently, organized, efficient and highly skilled at problem solving.

FACTOR 5: SCOPE AND EFFECT

The intern’swill work to design and implement a study to delineate various parameters affecting SBFS habitat. The intern will cooperatively work with FWS, SBNF and SDNHM staff to accomplish the overall goals of the project and work with private land owners to increase public involvement in, and awareness of, the conservation issues in the San Bernardino Mountains. The work contributes to the effective and efficient operation of this project in general. The work affects the public image of the FWS, and the conservation and protection of wildlife resources.

FACTOR 6: PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are with the general public, community organizations, special interest groups, local businesses, land owners, and other volunteer management professionals. Intern independently establishes and maintains personal working relationships with individuals and partnerships with organizations in order to accomplish work goals.

FACTOR 7: PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Most public contacts will be directed towards public outreach to engage the local community in environmental stewardship. The intern is expected maintain partnerships and to share knowledge, answer questions or otherwise improve public understanding of the cooperating agencies, the museum, and of environmental issues.

FACTOR 8: PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The majority of the field work can be physically demanding includinghiking, climbing, bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, lifting and similar activities. Intern must be able to work alone in the field and potentially work at night, as the SBFS is nocturnal.

FACTOR 9: WORK ENVIRONMENT

Although work may be performed both indoors and outdoors, the majority of work will be performed indoors in an office setting. When outdoor work is required, the incumbent will be subject to various weather conditions. FWS will supply the intern with a work space, a cubicle, in the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Work schedule may include weekends, evenings and some holidays.