Seasonal Hellbender Technician
Position Summary: This position is a full-time (40 hours per week) seasonal position (12 weeks, July – September 2026). Full weekday availability in the months of August and September is a requirement of the position. The position is centered around hellbender conservation activities, namely assisting with monitoring and outreach initiatives intended on improving the understanding of Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis; hereafter referred to as “hellbender”) occupancy and recruitment in West Virginia as well as promoting conservation actions for the species. The Seasonal Hellbender Technician will be required to travel extensively as part of the position for ease of survey efforts and will need to be available for overnight stays in hotels or other lodging accommodations for the majority of the position’s term.
Working Location: Survey work will occur in Preston, Randolph, Tucker, Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Webster, Nicolas, Upshur, Barbour, Lewis, and Harrison counties in West Virginia and will require significant overnight travel, with the majority of the work period requiring overnight stay in hotels or other lodging accommodations for ease of survey efforts. Lodging expenses will be covered by Friends of the Cheat during survey work. An FOC vehicle will be available for travel to and from survey sites.
Seasonal Recreation Technician
Position Summary: This position is a part-time, seasonal position (32 hours per week, typically Monday through Thursday) from April – October 2026. For the months of April, September, and October, a “ramp up and ramp down” schedule can be negotiated depending on FOC work needs and the Seasonal Technician’s personal, education, and work life balance. The Seasonal Recreation Technician will assist the Associate Director and other FOC staff in general maintenance at FOC’s recreation and river access sites, monitoring trail data and surveys, and assisting at FOC outreach events and in the office as needed.
This position will require working primarily outside in various and potentially inclement weather conditions as well as working in and near water sources such as rivers and lakes. It will also include using and maintaining various forms of equipment, including motorized vehicles and small machines in a safe manner.
Promise Vista Summer Associate
Position Summary: This position is ideal for an energetic individual who enjoys working outdoors, engaging with youth and community members, and supporting environmental education initiatives. The Promise VISTA Summer Associate will assist with hands-on youth programming, community events, and outreach efforts throughout the summer season.
This position would run from June 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026 (9 weeks) and is based out of the FOC office in Kingwood, WV. Limited remote work is possible depending on project needs.
Interested candidates – please, contact Lisa Maraffa at lisa@cheat.org before applying through My Americorps.
M.S. Assistantship (Eastern Hellbenders)
The Herpetology and Applied Conservation Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marshall University (Huntington, WV) is seeking two highly motivated graduate students (M.S.) to conduct research on eastern hellbenders in West Virginia. Applicants must be able to swim and have a valid state motor vehicle operator license. Prior experience with field research and an interest in hellbender ecology are required. Candidates with a demonstrated interest in population ecology and demographic modeling are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be committed to following strict safety protocols, tolerant of uncomfortable field conditions, clearly demonstrate maturity, have a history of working well with others (peers and technicians), and be willing to work independently as needed.
The successful candidates must be fully committed to working on the externally-funded hellbender research project while pursuing an M.S. in Biological Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Jayme Waldron and Dr. Shane Welch (lab PIs). Research will be conducted collaboratively among state, federal and NGO stakeholders and graduate students will be expected to actively communicate with and work alongside project collaborators. Under PI mentorship and with assistance from senior lab personnel, graduate students are encouraged to develop and implement an M.S. thesis housed within the funded research project.
Field work duties will include:
- Visual surveys for hellbenders (snorkeling)
- Hellbender mark-recapture surveys
- Nest surveys
- eDNA sampling
- Processing and cataloging digital images and videos
Graduate duties will include:
- 32 hours of graduate coursework, including a thesis
- Teaching duties as graduate teaching assistant for at least four (up to six) semesters
- Grant writing, under guidance of the PIs and senior lab personnel
- Participation in data analysis and report writing for lab research under guidance of the PIs and senior lab personnel
Visit Marshall University Degree Requirements for more information on the graduate program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 from an undergraduate institution is strongly preferred for enrollment.
The funded positions require a three-year minimum commitment (starting August 2026). Students will be expected to teach biology labs in the Department of Biological Sciences as Graduate Teaching Assistants. Successful applicants will be expected to manage and train field technicians, as needed.
Salary and compensation: ~$18,000/year plus a tuition waiver (excluding fees).
Merge application materials into one pdf file that includes a 1-page state of interest, resume (including contact information for three references), and unofficial transcripts. Send the document to Jayme Waldron in an email addressed to: waldron3@marshall.edu; welchsh@marshall.edu; emily.gray@marshall.edu. We will begin reviewing applications immediately and the positions will remain open until filled.
Jayme L. Waldron, Professor
Biological Sciences
Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
304-696-3361