Professional Aide

Professional Aide

Join to apply for the Professional Aide role at Michigan State University.

This is a temporary or an on‑call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term:
Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on‑call. On‑call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment. We strive to create a positive culture, access to resources, and a sense of belonging for staff, partners, and programming participants.

• We work together to ensure that programming is available to all audiences, creates meaningful and positive impacts for participants, and demonstrates partnership and collaboration across communities.
• We understand that a welcoming and respectful environment is built through the efforts of everyone.
• We foster an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and supportive culture.
• We foster an environment that values a range of perspectives, skills, and experiences by working to ensure access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning and engagement to better serve Michigan residents and meet the evolving needs of communities.
• We recognize that broad accessibility and collaboration are essential elements of our work and are vital to organizational and programmatic success.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching, and feedback toward achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.

MNFI, a program of Michigan State University Extension, is hiring up to 8 seasonal field technicians to assist with several research, monitoring, and inventory projects focused on rare reptile and amphibian species in Michigan, including specifically the eastern massasauga, Blanding's turtle, spotted turtle, and wood turtle.

The field technicians will conduct field work in support of various MNFI research, monitoring, and inventory projects. Working closely with the principal investigators, technicians will plan field activities, conduct surveys, and ensure accurate data collection. Duties will include evaluating potential sampling sites; conducting surveys for rare animal species; handling, measuring, and marking animals; collecting blood and/or tissue samples; sampling vegetation and habitat characteristics;

cleaning and maintaining equipment; processing specimens; and entering and compiling data in the field/office.

Positions will focus primarily on surveys for rare amphibians and reptiles, with target group/species depending on position and projects, but will include surveys for Blanding’s turtles, spotted turtles, wood turtles, eastern massasaugas, and/or other herp species of conservation concern. Some positions also may include assisting with surveys for rare butterfly and other species. Field sampling will regularly require long hours and flexible work schedules under adverse working conditions (e.g., hot and humid weather, long and difficult hikes in wetlands, and biting insects).

Access to reliable transportation (mileage reimbursed at standard rate), travel to study sites throughout Michigan, ability to stay overnight in hotels or campgrounds for up to a week at a time, and work over some holidays and/or weekends will be required.

• Experience conducting reptile and amphibian surveys including handling and marking live animals.
• Familiarity with Michigan and/or Midwestern ecosystems and common plants.
• Ability to navigate in the field via map,…