Individual Placement - Edwards Aquifer Research

Student Conservation Association; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 1,775,000 - 1,843,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defensive Driving Training

Health Insurance

Job summary

Student Conservation Association in San Marcos, TX, is hosting an Edwards Aquifer Research Individual Placement at the USFWS San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center. You will assist with thermal tolerance testing, maintain equipment, and provide care for endangered species under the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.

Schedule: Nov 2, 2026 – May 8, 2027. Salary: Living allowance of $765/week plus benefits; driving requirement and potential for other projects on station.

Qualifications

• Experience with Thermal Biological Assessment Devises.
• Must be 16–30 years old (35+ for veterans) and a US citizen or permanent resident.
• High school diploma or equivalent, or willing to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Carry out thermal tolerance testing for Edwards Aquifer species.
• Maintain the Thermal Biological Assessment Devise on station.
• Provide husbandry and care for target species and surrogates.
• Collect data and write summary reports on testing outcomes.

Skills

Thermal testing

Education

HS Diploma

Job description

Individual Placement - Edwards Aquifer Research

#PO-00802497-MEM

Job Description

Position Summary

The individual placement is based at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center, with the individual primarily working with the Edwards Aquifer Refugia Program. Our responsibility is to maintain several species of endangered and threatened organisms that live in the Edwards Aquifer or its associated springs and rivers. We currently house 8 species that include one fish, one plant, several beetles, several salamanders and an amphipod. The reason that we maintain the organisms is in case the springs run dry or there is a chemical spill or other environmental perturbation. If the habitat is compromised, we can reintroduce the species once the condition of the habitat improves. We also do research on the organisms related to population genetics, understanding their biology/ecology and improving their husbandry methods.

Hosting Organization

San Marcos Aquatic Resource Center: Edwards Aquifer Research Individual Placement

Schedule

November 2, 2026 - May 8, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out thermal tolerance testing to determine minimum and maximum temperatures for Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan covered species;
• Carry out thermal tolerance testing to determine preferred temperatures for Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan covered species;
• Maintain the Thermal Biological Assessment Devise on station;
• Provide husbandry and care for Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan covered species and any surrogate species;
• Collect data and write summary reports on thermal tolerance testing outcomes.

Marginal Duties

• The individual will be expected to assist USFWS staff with general station upkeep such as mowing, power washing and picking up trash
• The individual will have the opportunity to assist with other projects on station

Required Qualifications

• The member must have experience with Thermal Biological Assessment Devises.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority. Participants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent or agree to obtain one or be enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, scales, pipets, and forceps is preferred but not required;
• Experience with husbandry and maintaining aquatic species is strongly preferred but not required. Experience building and maintaining aquaculture systems (i.e. fish tanks) is strongly preferred but not required.
• Education in aquatic sciences is preferred but not required.

Living Accommodations

Housing is not provided.

Compensation

Living Allowance: $765/week;

Driving

Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency/organization is a requirement for this position.

To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:

• Be able to complete or fulfill all partner driving requirements.

Additional Benefits

Defensive Driving Training
Health Insurance

Equal Opportunity Statement

The SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.